Including A Bag Portion Which Is Completely Separated From The Bag During Tearing (e.g., Tear Strip) Patents (Class 383/204)
  • Patent number: 6786640
    Abstract: The reclosable plastic bag is formed by opposing panels of web with four sides sealed. A zipper is sealed within the bag so that a first zipper profile is sealed to a first opposing panel and a second zipper profile is sealed to a second opposing panel. A slider engaging the zipper profiles in a closed position protrudes from an opening in at least one of the opposing panels and may be further secured in place by a label. The slider cannot be moved from the position wherein the zipper profiles are closed to the position wherein the zipper profiles are open prior to the user tearing a perforated or otherwise weakened line across the panels. When this tear is made, it is unmistakable and intuitive evidence that the bag may have been previously opened and depending upon the circumstances, possibly tampered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Schneider, Charles Thorpe, Donald L. Crevier
  • Patent number: 6773163
    Abstract: A zippered bag comprises a main bag body having first and second opposing face members, a top, a bottom, and first and second opposing sides; and a zipper disposed on the main bag body. The zipper extends from the top to one of the first and second opposing sides so as to be oblique relative to the top. The zipper may comprise a male track and a female track engageable therewith. The male track and the female track may be formed by an injection molding. Each of the male track and the female track may comprise a main portion and end portions provided on opposite ends of the main portion, each of the end portions having a smaller height than that of the main portion. The main bag body may have a sealed zone, which is placed on the outer side of the zipper and has an opening guide portion, which is provided in parallel with the zipper so that the sealed zone is to be easily torn open along the opening guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Hosokawa Yoko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tooru Ichikawa, Kou Go
  • Publication number: 20040131283
    Abstract: A reclosable package that seals an enclosed product and allows the product to be subjected to a retort procedure to cook the product while the product is in the package. The reclosable package is formed from a polypropylene film and includes a zipper closure including a pair of mating closure profiles both formed from a polypropylene material. One of the male or female closure profiles includes a sealing flange having a layer of sealant such that the sealing flange provides a seal for the package below the interaction between the closure profiles. This seal prevents the product from migrating through the profile member during the retort procedure and prior to the package being opened for the first time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Paul A. Sprague, Greg W. Melchoir
  • Publication number: 20040114838
    Abstract: A package or bag is provided with an easy open re-closable device for allowing ready access to the contents of the bag. The closure device is applied longitudinally in a vertical orientation in plastic bags but the closure device is spaced from the ends. In a layer paper bag, while the position of the closure device is preferably longitudinal, the closure device may have any orientation including a diagonal position. The closure device is incorporated in the fins of a fin bag and the closure devices extends longitudinally of the bag in a vertical direction. The process or making a multi layer paper material with a closure device incorporated therein is carried out in a continuous operation. The process of making zip-fin plastic bag or film containing the fins and closure are performed in a continuous operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: James Ray McGregor
  • Publication number: 20040091186
    Abstract: A packaging bag with zipper is provided that prevents contents from entering between a zipper section and a heat seal section along the edge adjacent to an opening end of the bag, during transportation for example. For this purpose, the packaging bag has a male zipper tape and a female zipper tape bonded to inner faces of the front and rear side sheet sections, or vice versa, in the vicinity of the opening end which comes at the top when the bag is in an upright state. The opening end thus located above the position of the zipper is closed by heat sealing. The zipper tapes are bonded together at least in a region below the engaging section, out of regions above and below the engaging section, with heat sealing strength of a degree that allows the zipper tapes to peel apart by an action of interface peeling, interlayer peeling, or cohesive peeling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: DAIWA GRAVURE CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Yukihiko Shibata
  • Publication number: 20040091178
    Abstract: A reclosable package comprises a receptacle and a header that communicate via a mouth, and a slider-zipper assembly disposed in the mouth, the slider being exposed when a first portion of the header is removed. The header further comprises second and third portions having respective states of tension that will cause the second and third portions of the header to curl or bend away from the slider when the first portion of the header is removed, for example, by tearing or cutting. The second and third portions of the header curl or bend in opposite directions to allow easy access to the slider by the consumer. In a method of manufacture, the second and third portions of the header are heat treated to produce differential shrink tension states. Alternatively, the header material can be a thermoplastic laminate film in which the layers have different shrink tension states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: John H. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20040066989
    Abstract: A reclosable package comprises a receptacle having a mouth, a header that encloses a space above the mouth, and a slider-zipper assembly disposed in the mouth, the slider-zipper assembly comprising a slider mounted to a zipper. The header has a tear-away portion and respective remaining portions that flank at least a portion of the slider. A pull tab is coupled to and rotatable relative to the slider and projects above the upper edges of the remaining portions of the header. This arrangement enables the user to move the slider by grasping the pull tab. The user need not reach into the space between the remaining portions of the header to grasp the slider itself. In one embodiment, the pull tab is coupled to the sidewalls of the slider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: John H. Schneider, Steven Ausnit
  • Publication number: 20040066990
    Abstract: A resealable package having a slider-operated zipper wherein the contents of the package are accessed through the front wall of the package, not through the top of the package. The resealable package comprises: a bag body comprising front and rear walls of bag making material; a flexible zipper joined to the front wall and not joined to the rear wall; and a slider mounted to the zipper, the slider being movable in a first direction along the zipper for opening the zipper and movable in a second direction along the zipper for closing the zipper. Alternatively, the flexible zipper is joined to the front wall along first and second zones of joinder disposed at different heights on the front wall, and is joined to the rear wall only in zones of joinder where the zipper is joined to both of the front and rear walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: John H. Schneider, Steven Ausnit
  • Publication number: 20040062456
    Abstract: A method for sealing a zipper assembly to bag making film at three or more points. The zipper assembly comprises a short zipper flange and a long zipper flange. The short flange is joined to one wall of the package while the long flange is joined to both walls of the package to define a product space in which the product is contained. Both the short and long zipper flanges are sealed to the bag making film at a first sealing station prior to folding of the film. After folding, the long zipper flange is sealed at one or more zones of joinder to the other side of the folded film. If the zipper assembly is attached in proximity to the fold line, then the second sealing operation is performed before filling and the bag is filled through the package bottom. If the zipper assembly is attached near the edge of the web of bag making film, then the second sealing operation is performed after the filling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Joel L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040058039
    Abstract: A reclosable bag for filling with at least one food product. The reclosable bag generally includes at least one sheet of web material having at least two areas of structural weakness. At least one fold structure is located between and defined by the two areas of structural weakness. An opening is located generally opposite the fold structure. The reclosable bag further includes a reclosable fastener structure having an integral skirt structure of skirt web material extending therefrom. The integral skirt structure includes a distal margin. The distal margin is coupled to the web material at, at least one location between the areas of structural weakness and the opening. The reclosable fastener structure extends past the areas of structural weakness and into the fold structure. The reclosable bag capable of being filled with at least one food product through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Aaron Strand, Karl L. Linck, Judy Fischer, Thomas J. Spaeth, Jerry D. Kolbe
  • Patent number: 6709157
    Abstract: A closure arrangement for a reclosable polymeric bag is disclosed, the closure arrangement comprising convex and concave areas that facilitate opening the bag. To initially open the bag, first and second films are separated from each other by tearing perforations. Next, interlocked closure profiles are detached from each other by grabbing onto gripper ridges and pulling the opening of the bag apart. If the first or second film becomes tucked into the groove left by the perforations such that the gripper ridges are difficult to access even after tearing the perforations, then the end of the opening may be flexed up or down, thereby causing separation of the convex area and concave area to provide access to the gripper ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg L. VandenHeuvel, Greg W. Melchoir
  • Patent number: 6692149
    Abstract: A re-sealable container closure label including a base label and a cover label, and a hook-and-loop fastener system and a tamper-evident tear strip is sandwiched therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the base label is adhered to the front wall of a container, preferably a bag, adjacent an opening in the bag. A flap of the bag is folded downwardly over the opening and adheres to the front wall, the cover label, the two-part hook-and-loop fastener system and the tear strip. In an alternative embodiment, container closure label includes a hook-and-loop fastener system and a tear strip secured only to a base label. This alternative embodiment label is adhered to the front wall of a bag as in the preferred embodiment, except that the flap is adhered directly over the fastener system and tear strip. To open a bag sealed with the re-sealable container closure label, a user pulls the tear strip, which permits the flap to open and form a pour opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: CCL Label, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan T. Baker, Guy S. Kiraly
  • Publication number: 20040013326
    Abstract: A container including a top piece, a bottom piece and a joining region. The top piece includes a tubular side wall formed from a first material, a dome covering one end of the tubular side wall of the top piece, and a hinged interconnection formed between the dome and the tubular side wall of the top piece. The bottom piece includes a tubular side wall formed from a second material. The joining region is formed between the top piece and the bottom piece for joining the top piece to the bottom piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Graham Packaging Company
    Inventors: Norberto Oscar Gomez, Rafael Francisco Berrittella, Geoffrey Richard Lu
  • Publication number: 20040008909
    Abstract: A reclosable bag is filled through an opening defined between a back side of a folded closure strip secured to an inner surface of the bag on one side of the bag opening, and an inner surface of the other side of the bag opening. The filled bag is sealed by joining the back side of the closure strip to the opposing bag wall at a point outboard of the closure strip and bag opening. The bag is later opened by breaking through a frangible section in a folded portion of the closure strip, between mating bands of hooks and loops. In some cases, an extension of one side of the bag forms a handle or a fitment; in particular, funnels can be formed from integral extensions of the closure strip, integral extensions of the bag-making material, or from a discrete preform which is joined to the bag construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: William H. Shepard, William P. Clune, George A. Provost
  • Publication number: 20030235352
    Abstract: The reclosable container or bag (100) includes a zipper tape (18) with interlocking profiles (14, 16) of a zipper (12). First and second lines of perforation (28, 30) are formed parallel to and between the interlocking profiles (14, 16). Furthermore, the zipper tape (18) is looped so as to align the first and second lines of perforation (28, 30) with each other thereby forming a perforated cap structure (10). An additional layer of material (24) is formed to cover the first and second lines of perforation (28, 30) to maintain a hermetic seal prior to tearing of the first and second lines of perforation (28, 30). Typically, a notch (120, 122) is formed in at least one of the crush areas (116, 118) on the end of the zipper tape (18) to direct the user's tearing force to the lines of perforation (28, 30) thereby providing access to the zipper (12) and providing subsequent evidence of prior opening of reclosable container or bag (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Eric P. Plourde, Stephen P. Schaller
  • Publication number: 20030231811
    Abstract: The presently preferred embodiments relate to film structures that are exposed to focused energy to provide a score line on an internal layer of the film structure, or on both an internal layer of a film structure and an outer layer of the film structure. In addition, the present invention relates to a package that may be torn along the score line. More specifically, the package may have a score line provided on an internal layer of barrier material, such as ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyvinylidene chloride copolymer, nylon, or any other laser scorable barrier material. The score line in an internal layer and/or in the surface of the film may allow the package to be opened using tearing forces, thereby exposing a product within the package and allowing a user of the package to gain access to product that may be contained therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Jay D. Hodson, Duane H. Buelow, Chad M. Perre
  • Publication number: 20030228078
    Abstract: Touch fasteners useful for bags, packaging and other products as well as novel manufacturing of products incorporating such fasteners. A composite touch fastener has a fibrous loop strip partially encapsulated in, or otherwise permanently attached to, resin of a substrate, and an array of loop-engageable fastener elements integrally molded with resin of the substrate. The center portion of the closure seals the bag until it is torn away to expose the mating bands of loops and fastener elements. Methods of applying recloseable touch fasteners, e.g. hook and loop fasteners, to sheet or film include vertical form and fill and horizontal form and fill packaging and pouch making.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: William P. Clune, William H. Shepard, George A. Provost
  • Publication number: 20030202720
    Abstract: A closure arrangement for a reclosable polymeric bag is disclosed, the closure arrangement comprising convex and concave areas that facilitate opening the bag. To initially open the bag, first and second films are separated from each other by tearing perforations. Next, interlocked closure profiles are detached from each other by grabbing onto gripper ridges and pulling the opening of the bag apart. If the first or second film becomes tucked into the groove left by the perforations such that the gripper ridges are difficult to access even after tearing the perforations, then the end of the opening may be flexed up or down, thereby causing separation of the convex area and concave area to provide access to the gripper ridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Greg L. VandenHeuvel, Greg W. Melchoir
  • Publication number: 20030185945
    Abstract: A flexible, reclosable package having a reclosable zipper construction openable and closeable by a slider device, and a tamper-evident structure disposed over the zipper construction to provide indication whether access has been gained to the interior of the package. A second tamper-evident structure may be disposed between the zipper construction and the package interior. This second structure may be a web or a peel seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: James E. Buchman
  • Publication number: 20030174909
    Abstract: Process for the manufacture of an easy open device for “Flow Pack” or similar packages with longitudinal seams and transversal closings, structured horizontally or vertically, with a detachable strip, attached in alignment on the internal face of the packaging film by means of an applicator head, to be manually grasped and to result in the tearing of said packages, including the steps of:
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Francisco Parra
  • Publication number: 20030169947
    Abstract: A reclosable plastic bag includes two panels sealed to form a container having a bottom and an openable top. The plastic bag further includes lips that are adjacent to the openable top and which are initially joined to one another by a removable element. The removable element when attached indicates that the bag has not yet been used. When the removable element is no longer attached this indicates that the bag may have been used (contaminated). The reclosable plastic bag also includes a closure element for sealing and unsealing the openable top of the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Nossi Taheri
  • Patent number: 6609828
    Abstract: A method of making reclosable packaging utilizes a longitudinally extending web of film material having cutouts therein. A length of zipper strip substantially half the width of the web and having an attached slider is applied transversely across the web of film material with the slider positioned in the cut out. The web is folded longitudinally with the zipper attached to the web and the slider positioned in the cut out. The edges of the web are brought together longitudinally and seamed to form a tube. The opposite ends of the tube are sealed to form the package. The resultant bag has the slider seated in the cut-out where it is readily visible to a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Schneider, Steven Ausnit, Donald L. Crevier, Joel Johnson, Stanley Piotrowski
  • Patent number: 6609998
    Abstract: A method and a machine for making a plastic film bag with opposed closable end openings as well as a double compartment bag is described. The bags may be formed from J-folded, U-folded or tubular film sheets. In one embodiment, a bag is formed with a gusseted end adjacent which a zipper closure and a detachable end is provided and at the other end of the bag there is provided an opening which is closable by a closure tag. The method and machine are also adaptable to form double-ended closure bags having two distinct compartments, each accessible by a respective one of the end closure. The bags formed by the method and machine have various uses such as carrying two separate articles, each article being accessible from one of the opposed ends of the bags. The double compartment bags may also contain two different products, each accessible separately through a zipper closure. The bags may also be formed with a flap provided with wicket holes to support the bag in an automatic bag filling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Glopak Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lauzon, Ritchie Baird, Guy J. Houle, Pierre Papineau, Richard Beauchesne
  • Publication number: 20030123760
    Abstract: A four corner bag constructed of flexible thermoplastic sheet or film material having overlying front and rear wall panels and a bottom sealed end. The upper portion of the bag includes a first closure region terminating in a top sealed end, a second closure region disposed inwardly of the top sealed end, and a perforated seal or tear strip extending across the width of the bag and located between the first and second closure regions. The second closure region includes an inner heat seal which extends approximately halfway across the width of the bag and a reclosable fastener which extends the remaining distance across the bag. In one embodiment, the inner heat seal is oriented transversely across the bag while the reclosable fastener is upwardly angled so that it forms a natural pour spout during use. In other embodiments, the reclosable fastener is transversely oriented while the inner heat seal is angled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Alan D. Olin
  • Patent number: 6585413
    Abstract: The body of a sterile collection bag has opposed sidewalls and an upper body end. The interior of the body defines a sterile collection space for an object. First and second flexible closure strips having integrated centrally located wires are attached to the bag sidewalls and extend beyond the side wall edges. The upper end of the body includes one or more small notches cut into the body sidewalls to facilitate tearing of the upper body end from the bag body, with abrupt edges of the strips acting as tear guides. Pull tabs attached to the closure strips can be drawn apart to open the mouth of the bag for insertion of a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: International BioProducts Incorporated
    Inventors: N. Robert Ward, Jr., Geoffrey S. Bright, Debra K. Cory
  • Publication number: 20030118254
    Abstract: A flexible container of the pouch type made of a film material, of the type derived from a shaped tubular body formed by a film with a longitudinal heat-seal and by transverse heat-seals of the two ends. At least one corner region of the container has a tear notch that produces, by pulling, the tearing of a portion of the film that comprises a part of the transverse heat-seal and a part of the tubular wall, freeing a corresponding flap of wall that is provided at least partially internally with low-stickiness adhesive protected by a removable film. The flap can be folded back onto the remaining portion of the container so as to close it by temporary sticking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: BP EUROPACK S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Razeti, Elena Peron, Michael Ellenrieder
  • Publication number: 20030118253
    Abstract: A reclosable fastener assembly (10) for use in the manufacture of a plastic bag (30). The fastener assembly (10) includes a zipper (18) with a seal feature on a web flange (24) extending from an interlocking member (26) of a profile (28) of the zipper (18). The web flange (24) is bent at a lower portion of the web flange (24) upward to the interlocking member (26). At the lower portion, an interior face (32) of the web flange (24) is sealed to an opposite interior face (33) to form a flange seal (31). The bend (35) of the lower portion includes a weakness area (34) which, in concert with the flange seal (31), acts as a barrier and a tamper-evident feature. After the flange seal (31) is initially torn open, the weakness area (34) may be torn open to access the plastic bag (30). A method for making a reclosable plastic bag (30) is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Zdenek Machacek
  • Publication number: 20030113415
    Abstract: A reclosable bag for filling with at least one food product. The reclosable bag generally includes at least one sheet of web material having at least two areas of structural weakness. At least one fold structure is located between and defined by the two areas of structural weakness. An opening is located generally opposite the fold structure. The reclosable bag further includes a reclosable fastener structure having an integral skirt structure of skirt web material extending therefrom. The integral skirt structure includes a distal margin. The distal margin is coupled to the web material at, at least one location between the areas of structural weakness and the opening. The reclosable fastener structure extends past the areas of structural weakness and into the fold structure. The reclosable bag capable of being filled with at least one food product through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Sargento Foods Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Strand, Karl L. Linck, Judy Fischer, Thomas J. Spaeth, Jerry D. Kolbe
  • Publication number: 20030081865
    Abstract: A re-sealable container closure label including a base label and a cover label, and a hook-and-loop fastener system and a tamper-evident tear strip is sandwiched therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the base label is adhered to the front wall of a container, preferably a bag, adjacent an opening in the bag. A flap of the bag is folded downwardly over the opening and adheres to the front wall, the cover label, the two-part hook-and-loop fastener system and the tear strip. In an alternative embodiment, container closure label includes a hook-and-loop fastener system and a tear strip secured only to a base label. This alternative embodiment label is adhered to the front wall of a bag as in the preferred embodiment, except that the flap is adhered directly over the fastener system and tear strip. To open a bag sealed with the re-sealable container closure label, a user pulls the tear strip, which permits the flap to open and form a pour opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: CCL Label, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan T. Baker, Guy S. Kiraly
  • Publication number: 20030081863
    Abstract: A re-sealable container closure label including a base label and a cover label, and a hook-and-loop fastener system and a tamper-evident tear strip is sandwiched therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the base label is adhered to the front wall of a container, preferably a bag, adjacent an opening in the bag. A flap of the bag is folded downwardly over the opening and adheres to the front wall, the cover label, the two-part hook-and-loop fastener system and the tear strip. In an alternative embodiment, container closure label includes a hook-and-loop fastener system and a tear strip secured only to a base label. This alternative embodiment label is adhered to the front wall of a bag as in the preferred embodiment, except that the flap is adhered directly over the fastener system and tear strip. To open a bag sealed with the re-sealable container closure label, a user pulls the tear strip, which permits the flap to open and form a pour opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Bryan T. Baker, Guy S. Kiraly
  • Publication number: 20030081864
    Abstract: A re-sealable container closure label including a base label and a cover label, and a hook-and-loop fastener system and a tamper-evident tear strip is sandwiched therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the base label is adhered to the front wall of a container, preferably a bag, adjacent an opening in the bag. A flap of the bag is folded downwardly over the opening and adheres to the front wall, the cover label, the two-part hook-and-loop fastener system and the tear strip. In an alternative embodiment, container closure label includes a hook-and-loop fastener system and a tear strip secured only to a base label. This alternative embodiment label is adhered to the front wall of a bag as in the preferred embodiment, except that the flap is adhered directly over the fastener system and tear strip. To open a bag sealed with the re-sealable container closure label, a user pulls the tear strip, which permits the flap to open and form a pour opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: CCL Label, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan T. Baker, Guy S. Kiraly
  • Patent number: 6527444
    Abstract: A reclosable bag is provided that includes a reclosable mouth with a zipper and a slider device. The reclosable bag also includes a shield that covers the zipper such that when product is dispensed into the bag interior, the shield protects the zipper and prevents contact between the product and the zipper. In preferred arrangements, the shield includes an area of weakness to permit easy removal of the shield from the bag. Preferably, the shield is shaped to function as a funnel to help direct product into the bag interior, when filling. Preferred methods of using and constructing bags will utilize constructions as described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Buchman
  • Patent number: 6524002
    Abstract: A slider device for use with a resealable package includes a top wall with first and second ends, a spreader depending from the top wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first hook construction extending from the first sidewall, a second hook construction extending from the second sidewall, and a guide construction. The first and second hook constructions have sloped or tapered surfaces that facilitate mounting of the slider device on a reclosable closure construction, such as a zipper arrangement. Methods of assembling and operation are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mladomir Tomic
  • Patent number: 6517242
    Abstract: A method of making packages having a reclosable zipper closure encased in a tamper-evident structure, and the packages made thereby. The method includes providing a package having an interior defined by a bottom seam and side seams. The side seams are present as a body seam and a tamper-evident structure seam; there is no side seam present across the zipper closure. The lack of a side seam present across the zipper closure facilitate removal of the tamper-evident structure. A slider device may be present on the packages to facilitate mating and unmating of the zipper closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Buchman
  • Publication number: 20030016889
    Abstract: A zippered bag comprises a main bag body having first and second opposing face members, a top, a bottom, and first and second opposing sides; and a zipper disposed on the main bag body. The zipper extends from the top to one of the first and second opposing sides so as to be oblique relative to the top. The zipper may comprise a male track and a female track engageable therewith. The male track and the female track may be formed by an injection molding. Each of the male track and the female track may comprise a main portion and end portions provided on opposite ends of the main portion, each of the end portions having a smaller height than that of the main portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: HOSOKAWA YOKO CO., LTD
    Inventors: Tooru Ichikawa, Kou Go
  • Patent number: 6502986
    Abstract: A package having a re-sealable seal is formed from a flexible sheet having its opposite longitudinal edge portions sealed together to form a tubular structure with a permanent longitudinal seal. Two permanent end seals are formed transversely across the tubular structure to seal the product inside the package. A re-sealable seal is formed adjacent one of the permanent seals. The re-sealable seal is formed by a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to a first region of the inner surface of the sheet proximate the one permanent seal and a heat seal coating applied over the pressure-sensitive adhesive so as to cover the pressure-sensitive adhesive. and a heat seal coating applied over a second region of the inner surface of the sheet. The first and second regions of the inner surface are placed in contact with each other and the heat seal coatings thereon are sealed together to initially form the re-sealable seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis J. Bensur, Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Richard Frederick Jaisle
  • Patent number: 6467956
    Abstract: A flexible, reclosable package having a zipper closure and a slider device mounted thereon, the zipper closure and slider device encapsulated within a tamper evident-structure such as a hood. The hood has a top seal region where the walls of the hood are sealed together; the hood walls can be of the same material as the package walls. In one embodiment, each end of the zipper closure includes an area that terminates the slider device travel; this can be a crush area or region. In order to gain access to the interior of the package, the hood is removed by breaching the hood, such as at an area of weakness that is between the slider device and the region where the zipper closure attaches to the package walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Tilman, James E. Buchman
  • Publication number: 20020147091
    Abstract: The reclosable bag has a gusset side structure so that the bag can be self-supporting on its bottom surface. The reclosable structure can be an internal structure or an external structure. As an external structure the front and rear walls extend above the reclosable seal and are bonded together above the reclosable seal. This extended wall structure is removed to remove these tamper evident seal. If within the bag the tamper evident seal is composed of a loop of film extending downward from each side of the reclosable seal to seal the contents of the bag. This loop must be broken to open the bag. The preferred reclosable seal is a zipper with bonded stays or each end to maintain the zipper on the bag. The bag has diagonal seals at the lower corners for forming a flat bottom to the bag and at the upper corners to provide vents for pressure equalization. The bags are made by a process where all processing is on line except for forming the zipper which is constructed off-line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Steven Michael Healy, Thomas Heaslip
  • Patent number: 6461043
    Abstract: The reclosable bag has a gusset side structure so that the bag can be self-supporting on its bottom surface. The reclosable structure can be an internal structure or an external structure. As an external structure the front and rear walls extend above the reclosable seal and are bonded together above the reclosable seal. This extended wall structure is removed to remove these tamper evident seal. If within the bag the tamper evident seal is composed of a loop of film extending downward from each side of the reclosable seal to seal the contents of the bag. This loop must be broken to open the bag. The preferred reclosable seal is a zipper with bonded stays or each end to maintain the zipper on the bag. The bag has diagonal seals at the lower corners for forming a flat bottom to the bag and at the upper corners to provide vents for pressure equalization. The bags are made by a process where all processing is on line except for forming the zipper which is constructed off-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Colgate Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Steven Michael Healy, Thomas Heaslip
  • Patent number: 6461044
    Abstract: A reclosable bag made on a form, fill and seal machine by a method which includes the steps of: applying an adhesive strip of material to a web of bag material to extend transversely relative to longitudinal edges of the web, the adhesive strip including a front surface releasably applied to the web via a pressure-sensitive adhesive and an exposed rear surface; folding the web about an axis extending parallel to the longitudinal edges thereof; and then sealing the web to form the bag, including permanently sealing a portion of the web to the exposed rear surface of the adhesive strip to form a reclosable end seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard F. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6440051
    Abstract: A method and a machine for making a plastic film bag with opposed closable end openings as well as a double compartment bag is described. The bags may be formed from J-folded, U-folded or tubular film sheets. In one embodiment, a bag is formed with a gusseted end adjacent which a zipper closure and a detachable end is provided and at the other end of the bag there is provided an opening which is closable by a closure tag. The method and machine are also adaptable to form double-ended closure bags having two distinct compartments, each accessible by a respective one of the end closure. The bags formed by the method and machine have various uses such as carrying two separate articles, each article being accessible from one of the opposed ends of the bags. The double compartment bags may also contain two different products, each accessible separately through a zipper closure. The bags may also be formed with a flap provided with wicket holes to support the bag in an automatic bag filling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Glopak, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lauzon, Ritchie Baird, Guy J. Houle, Pierre Papineau, Richard Beauchesne
  • Patent number: 6436500
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for reclosing a package. A package reclosure is provided with a top layer having a perforation and a carrier substrate. A folded substrate or folded member is provided between the carrier substrate and top layer. The folded member is only secured to the top layer such that, when the perforation is torn, a portion of the folded member may be unfolded to reveal a repositionable adhesive which is used to retain an end of the package in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: 3 Sigma Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Ralph Yingst, Paul Reid Benson
  • Patent number: 6409384
    Abstract: A reclosable plastic bag comprises first and second opposing body panels, a zipper, a slider, and a grab tab. The opposing body panels are joined to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The zipper extends along a mouth formed opposite the bottom. The slider is slidably mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. Movement of the slider is effectuated using a grab tab extending upward from the slider. In one embodiment, first and second upstanding panels extend upwardly from the respective first and second body panels and form a pocket containing the zipper and the slider. The grab tab on the slider extends upwardly toward or above an upper end of the pocket so as to be easily graspable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander R. Provan, Thomas L. Coomber, Toby R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6390676
    Abstract: A reclosable film package for storage of solid or liquid food products using a straight-tear film package having a zipper. The straight-tear films allow for tearing of the film along straight lines without perforating or laser scoring of the film allowing optimal integrity of the package and product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Colombo, Jeffrey D. Moulton
  • Patent number: 6361212
    Abstract: The present invention includes a reclosable back-seam bag and method for making the bag. The reclosable back-seam bag includes a bag body having a top seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall. The front wall is joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal. A reclosable fastener assembly including two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip and a second continuous elongated profile strip is included in the bag. The first continuous elongated profile and the second continuous elongated profile provide an airtight and watertight seal upon interconnection thereof. An airtight and/or watertight side seal at each end of the reclosable fastener assembly is also provided. A continuous airtight and watertight lower seal along the length of the reclosable fastener assembly is positioned below the profiles. The lower seal connects the reclosable fastener assembly to the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Com-Pac International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Sprehe, Donald K. Wright, Christopher L. Pemberton
  • Patent number: 6350057
    Abstract: Packages having web formed resealable interlocking closures of packaging film fanfolded to form a stack and heat sealed together forming a multilayered strip in plane with the film. The strip is abraded on one surface, the film passing into the package former where packages are formed having longitudinal package seals, and which places portions of the strip in apposed position. The package ends are sealed and the resealable locking closure is formed in the strip. The female portion of the locking closure is formed in the package face that includes the overlapped longitudinal package seal. Alternatively, the strip is not abraded and the inner and outer parts of the resealable closure are separately formed before package formation takes place. To form the strip, heat sealing a strip of heat sealable material to the packaging film may also be utilized. Optionally formed in the resealable closure are hinges and reinforcing V-notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sealstrip Corp.
    Inventor: Harold M Forman
  • Patent number: 6318894
    Abstract: A reclosable bag with a line of weakened tear resistance having a fish hook or hook shaped perforations assures a straight-line tear across the bag. The hook-like perforations avoid cross-tearing of the package towards the top edge or towards the bottom edge of the package and provide an easy access to the packaged goods. The non-symmetrical hook perforations have a major central portion or vertical center section substantially parallel to each other and to the sides of the bag, a rounded shoulder and a rounded foot. The tear line extends from one side edge of the bag to and stops short before reaching the other side edge of the bag. The non-symmetrical hook perforations are obtained by cutting a bag with a cutting knife with hook-designed cutting edges that mirror the perforations. The cutting knife may be incorporated onto rotary film sealing and crimping heads for providing top and bottom permanent seals on successively perforated bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome W. Derenthal
  • Patent number: 6290390
    Abstract: A flexible, reclosable package having a reclosable zipper construction openable and closeable by a slider device, and a tamper-evident structure disposed over the zipper construction to provide indication whether access has been gained to the interior of the package. A second tamper-evident structure may be disposed between the zipper construction and the package interior. This second structure may be a web or a peel seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Buchman
  • Patent number: 6290391
    Abstract: A flexible, reclosable package having a reclosable zipper construction openable and closeable by a slider device, and a tamper-evident structure disposed over the zipper construction to provide indication whether access has been gained to the interior of the package. A second tamper-evident structure may be disposed between the zipper construction and the package interior. This second structure may be a web or a peel seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Buchman
  • Publication number: 20010017947
    Abstract: A reclosable bag for filling with at least one food product. The reclosable bag generally includes at least one sheet of web material having at least two areas of structural weakness. At least one fold structure is located between and defined by the two areas of structural weakness. An opening is located generally opposite the fold structure. The reclosable bag further includes a reclosable fastener structure having an integral skirt structure of skirt web material extending therefrom. The integral skirt structure includes a distal margin. The distal margin is coupled to the web material at, at least one location between the areas of structural weakness and the opening. The reclosable fastener structure extends past the areas of structural weakness and into the fold structure. The reclosable bag capable of being filled with at least one food product through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Sargento Foods Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Strand, Karl L. Linck, Judy Fischer, Thomas J. Spaeth, Jerry D. Kolbe