Line Of Weakness Delineates Substantially The Entire Tearing Path Patents (Class 383/207)
  • Patent number: 6964520
    Abstract: In a bag 10 for packaging having a first face 10A and a second face 10B that are mutually opposite, a first line of weakness 100A (100B) and a second line of weakness 200A (200B) and a third line of weakness 300A (300B) constituted by a plurality of breaks of perforation form arranged between the first line of weakness and the second line of weakness and having an inclination with respect to a prescribed unsealing direction L50 are respectively formed in the first face and the second face such that these are arranged in mutually parallel fashion, and the plurality of breaks of perforation form constituting the third line of weakness formed in the first face and the plurality of breaks of perforation form constituting the third line of weakness formed in the second face are formed inclined in mutually opposite directions with respect to the prescribed unsealing direction. In this way a finger-grip portion of suitable extent is formed at the unsealed aperture of the bag for packaging after unsealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignees: Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc., Okada Shigyo Co., Ltd., Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakai, Hiroyuki Taketomi, Yuji Hashitani, Hirofumi Okada, Shinichi Hirakawa
  • Patent number: 6935783
    Abstract: A single-use container having front and back panels positioned in face-to-face relationship and joined with a sealed region around three edges to define a pouch, with a fourth edge unsealed to form a first opening in the pouch. A pressure sensitive strip on the front and back sides adjacent the opening of the pouch to seal the opening when the front and back sides are pressed closed. A tear line is formed at an opposing end of the pouch to enable opening of the opposing end of the pouch. The container may include a tool pouch defined on four sides by the sealed region and containing a spreading tool. The tool pouch is intersected by the tear line, such that, when the container is torn along the line, the tool is released from the tool pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Travis S. Carter
  • Patent number: 6929400
    Abstract: A flexible container of the pouch type, made of material in film form, derived from a contoured tubular body formed by a film with longitudinal and transverse heat-seals of the two ends. The longitudinal heat-seal forms the edge of a longitudinal wing that is folded against the corresponding wall. A portion of the wing is joined to a corresponding portion of the wall with low-tack adhesive so as to surround a region preset to form a hole for access to the container, the first lifting of the wing opening the hole and the container, and the low-tack adhesive ensuring successive repeated opening and closure actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: BP Europack S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Razeti, Elena Peron, Michael Ellenrieder
  • Publication number: 20040264816
    Abstract: A single-use container having front and back panels positioned in face-to-face relationship and joined with a sealed region around three edges to define a pouch, with a fourth edge unsealed to form a first opening in the pouch. A pressure sensitive strip on the front and back sides adjacent the opening of the pouch to seal the opening when the front and back sides are pressed closed. A tear line is formed at an opposing end of the pouch to enable opening of the opposing end of the pouch. The container may include a tool pouch defined on four sides by the sealed region and containing a spreading tool. The tool pouch is intersected by the tear line, such that, when the container is torn along the line, the tool is released from the tool pouch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Travis S. Carter
  • Publication number: 20040252921
    Abstract: An oven bag and methods for using the same are disclosed. The oven bag may be used in a range of different ovens. The oven bag is characterized by pre-formed perforations that provide for both venting of hot gasses and a secondary opening. The oven bag may comprise different kinds of closure devices including, but not limited to, drawstrings and hand ties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Peggy B. Winiarski, Zain E.M. Saad
  • Publication number: 20040247210
    Abstract: Sanitary and breathable packaging for food products is of the type that includes a container having laminated walls with at least an insertion opening which is closed so as not to be subsequently reusable. At least one weakening line is provided for tearing to allow contents to be extracted. Holes are provided around the package in size and number for internal aeration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Martin Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20040228549
    Abstract: A packaging for food in accordance with the present invention has a packaging material, two perforated lines and a pull tab. The packaging material is formed into a bag with one sealed end. The two perforated lines are formed parallel around the bag. The pull tab is attached inside the bag between the two perforated lines and has at least has one loose end extending outside the bag. Pulling the loose end tears the perforated lines, which divides the bag into two pieces. One piece of the bag is removed to conveniently open the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Chao-Hsi Wu
  • Patent number: 6811027
    Abstract: A polyethylene garment protector, extensively used by garment manufacturers to protect garments in transport to and from various facilities such as, factories, distribution centers, and retail establishments. The garment protector is also commonly used by garment pressers or cleaners for the delivery or storage of pressed or cleaned garments mounted on conventional garment hangers. Furthermore, the polyethylene garment protector can also be used to enclose other textiles or goods that may be stored, shipped and/or sold in hanging form. The polyethylene garment protector is provided with at least one zone of weakness on either the front side, back side or both sides of such garment protectors, along which the garment protector may be severed to facilitate its removal so that the enclosed garment is not wrinkled or mussed. Essentially, the zone of weakness provides tear lines upon which the envelope may be opened to facilitate separating the protector and the enclosed garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Blue Mountain Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Alexander
  • Patent number: 6789945
    Abstract: A three-sided pouch formed from a sealable foil comprises two parallel longitudinally extending tubular chambers. A longitudinal bendable sealing seam separates the chambers. Transversely extending sealing seams close the opposite ends of the tubular chambers. In order to enable such pouches to be easily opened, one of the transversely extending seams has a widened portion straddling the longitudinally extending sealing seam and extends to both tubular chambers. A tearing aid for facilitating the tearing open of the two tubular chambers is arranged in the widened portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Hassia Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Heinrich-Stephan Möbs, Gerd Knaup
  • Patent number: 6779921
    Abstract: Reclosable bags, plastic film for making the bags, and a method and apparatus for making the bags are disclosed. The bag has a reclosable fastener (26) connected to a single wall of the bag, and the film (55) has a reclosable fastener (26) connected to one side thereof which does not require attachment to any other portion of the film (55) when making a bag. The fastener (26) has a tamper-proof member attached thereto to indicate if the bag has been previously opened. The film (55) can be wound into a roll (54) suitable for use on conventional bag making machines including form, fill, and seal machines or a chain of coilable reclosable bags can be produced therefrom since the fasteners (26) are connected to the web preferably transversely to the bags longitudinal formation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Publication number: 20040136619
    Abstract: A container (186) is provided with a tubular body (188) of a multi-plied material. The body (188) has an openable end (190) and a sealed ended (192) with foldable and securable closure means that facilitate the non-destructive repeated opening and closing of the container (186). The closure means is integrally formed with the container (186) by the shape cutting and folded formation of the container end (190) during manufacture. The closure means is sectioned to include an openable section (196) which incorporates discharge means in the form of a pouring spout for discharge of container contents, and a closed section (198) which is adapted to incorporate carrying means (298) such as a handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Philip Bruce Spork, Edward John Charles Howard
  • Publication number: 20040109618
    Abstract: Packaging for receiving liquid, pasty, powdery, granular or solid material having tear-open means and sealed edges and made of a foil-shaped composite material. The foil-shaped composite material has multiple layers. At least one layer of the composite material does not have weakened areas. At least one layer of the composite material has weakened areas located in the packaging at least partly in the area of the filling space. The weakened areas are preferably a series of cuts or a plurality of parallel individual cuts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Claude A. Marbler, Sabine Cerf
  • Publication number: 20040086207
    Abstract: Packaging for receiving liquid, pasty, powdery, granular or solid material having tear-open means and sealed edges and made of a foil-shaped composite material. The foil-shaped composite material has multiple layers. At least one layer of the composite material does not have weakened areas. At least one layer of the composite material has weakened areas located in the packaging at least partly in the area of the filling space. The weakened areas are preferably a plurality of parallel individual cuts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Claude A. Marbler, Sabine Cerf
  • Patent number: 6708738
    Abstract: The self funnel drink additive product has two surfaces connected at a perimeter to enclose a volume which contains drink additive, the volume being substantially flat for storage, and has a narrow neck portion of the perimeter, so that the drink additive is funneled through the narrow neck into a vessel opening when the perimeter is opened along an optimal cut line at the narrow neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Carol Olsen
  • Patent number: 6702462
    Abstract: A flexible package for dispensing fluid or semi-fluid items. The package includes a top proximal portion and a bottom distal portion. A leash is defined within a side edge panel and extends from the proximal portion to the distal portion. A user tears the top proximal portion at a tear notch adjacent the proximal portion and then tears the top portion down along the leash in order to keep the top portion coupled to the package and allowing for removal of the package's contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Cliff Barr Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Richardson
  • Publication number: 20040022462
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-layered bag which includes an inner bag located within the interior of an outer bag, where the outer bag including a first and second region of weakness. The inner bag includes a region of weakness adjacent to the outer bag's second region of weakness. The multi-layer bag has the inner and outer bags sealed closed and together adjacent to the outer bag's second region of weakness. A method of manufacturing such a multi-layered or composite bag is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Clements Markham
  • Publication number: 20040013322
    Abstract: A bag comprising first and second walls which are connected together along their sides and bottom and a flap portion which is connected to a top of one of the walls. The flap portion and this one wall together form a transversely extending Z-fold. An adhesive strip is provided for closing an open mouth of the bag and this strip extends in a transverse direction across an inner surface of said one wall. A protective band extends in a transverse direction across an inner section of the flap portion so as to cover and contact the adhesive strip. The flap portion also has a projecting outer section which can be pulled outwardly away from the interior of the bag to expose the adhesive strip. A method of making modified plastic sheeting suitable for making these sealable bags is also disclosed. Using one method, an aqueous coating of release material is applied as a band to a strip of plastic sheeting by means of a printing press. This band is then dried using a hot air dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Taylor
  • Patent number: 6667081
    Abstract: A pouch of the present invention comprises a front and a rear walls and a narrow pouring portion, and at least one wall portion is partially protruded to an outward direction of the pouch to be provided with a bulge portion having a hollow structure at vicinity of the pouring portion. Alternatively, a cut line of the pouring portion is positioned based on a vertex of a vertical angle of an assumed right triangle which is drawn at the pouring portion by the predetermined regulations. A half-cut line as an opening aid may be provided to a position to be opened of the pouch, the half-cut line being formed so as to have a combination of a deep part and a shallow part and/or a combination of a wide part and a narrow part. The bulge portion may be formed by subjecting a preheated resin film to press molding with the use of a die comprising a cavity and a core, and then cooling the thus press-molded resin film while it is held in the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukitaka Aoki, Takashi Nakagome, Izumi Kojima, Seiichiro Komoda, Koji Otsuka, Koji Shimizu, Taeko Kanamori, Nana Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20030228077
    Abstract: A flexible container formed by sealing at least two webs of material with respect to each other to form a void between the webs. Each web preferably has at least two layers. A first web has a first thickness, and a closure area. In at least a portion of the closure area, the first web has a second thickness which is less than the first thickness. A void opening formed in the first web at the closure area provides access to the void. A layer of adhesive is applied to the first web at the closure area to provide for a leak-proof seal at the closure area when the flexible container is folded with respect to the void opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Louis L. Laske
  • Publication number: 20030223656
    Abstract: A flexible container of the pouch type, made of material in film form, derived from a contoured tubular body formed by a film with longitudinal and transverse heat-seals of the two ends. The longitudinal heat-seal forms the edge of a longitudinal wing that is folded against the corresponding wall. A portion of the wing is joined to a corresponding portion of the wall with low-tack adhesive so as to surround a region preset to form a hole for access to the container, the first lifting of the wing opening the hole and the container, and the low-tack adhesive ensuring successive repeated opening and closure actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: BP Europack S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Razeti, Elena Peron, Michael Ellenrieder
  • Publication number: 20030219173
    Abstract: A reclosable package (10) for the retail display of a food product and for the purchase and storage thereof by a consumer has tamper-evident features to enable the consumer to discern whether the package has been opened prior to purchase. The package (10) includes a header (26) formed by attaching the front and back sheets (12,14) of the package (10) to one another above the interlocking profiles (20,22) of the zipper (18) of the package (10) with a peel seal. Below the interlocking profiles (20,22), the front sheet (12) has a line of weakness (32), such as a line of perforations extending transversely across the package (10) below the interlocking profiles (20,22). A tear in the line of weakness (32) or a breach of the peel seal would readily indicate that the integrity of the package (10) has been compromised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: John H. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20030215163
    Abstract: A reclosable package for scoopable products, such as flour and detergent. The package has a closed plastic zipper installed in a gusset. The gusset comprises first and second panels connected at a fold line. The zipper comprises first and second zipper portions respectively joined to the first and second gusset panels. In one embodiment, the zipper portions are connected by a fold line situated adjacent the gusset fold line. In another embodiment, the zipper portions are connected by a fold line situated away from the gusset. In a third embodiment, the zipper portions are not connected prior to opening the package along the gusset fold line. A peel seal is placed between the zipper portions and above the interlocked profiled closure elements of the zipper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: John H. Schneider, Steven Ausnit
  • Patent number: 6629604
    Abstract: In a packaged product (1) including a non-packaged product (2), including container (3) and a foil wrapper (13) which wholly envelops the container (3) together with the non-packaged product (2) accommodated therein the foil wrapper (13) is made of a heat-shrinkable foil (14) and the foil wrapper (13) only has perforation holes (19) forming a perforation (18) in its area which lies against the a container wall (4, 5, 8), and the foil wrapper (13) has no perforation holes in its area which covers an opening (10) in the container (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Günther Flacker
  • Patent number: 6627276
    Abstract: A tube-shaped cushioning material in which an air bag is continuously connected in line or mat-shaped cushioning material in which an air bag is continuously connected in two dimensions, in which a cutout notch is formed at a given space or continuously in a side edge and/or connecting part of the air bag, thereby facilitating a separating-dividing operation of the air bag in a size suitable for an article to be packed and a volume reduction operation of the air bag discarded after opening a package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Tsukasa Kasei Kogyo K.K.
    Inventor: Ken-ichi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20030179957
    Abstract: A standup bag for granular products or the like and a method of manufacturing the bag. The standup bag is manufactured from an extruded heat sealable material and includes both an integral handle and a perforation to facilitate opening and pouring out the contents of the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: HB Creative, LLC
    Inventor: James I. Tankersley
  • Patent number: 6624130
    Abstract: A new pouch for laundry products and the combination of pouch and laundry product. The pouch includes a tearing notch or a length of weakness, which may comprise a tear tape, permitting manual opening of the pouch prior to tossing the pouch into the washing machine. By tearing open the pouch it is possible to direct liquid or gelled detergent onto clothes for pretreating stains. The remainder of the product, in a second chamber, e.g. liquid, gel or solid, eg, a powder, is retained in the pouch until release during wash. In this respect, it is preferred that at least part of the pouch is a water soluble film to promote release of product during washing in the washing machine and to minimize residue left from the pouch at the conclusion of the wash. The pouch of the invention preferably comprises at least two chambers, one of the chambers being openable by manual tearing along a tearing notch or a line of weakness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward John Giblin, Feng-Lung Gordon Hsu, Janet Mc Donald, Corinne Saso, Duane Anthony Raible
  • Patent number: 6610338
    Abstract: A multi layered packaging material (10) comprises a first inner layer C and a second outer layer A. The inner layer has a line of weakness 34 extending there along while the second outer layer A is substantially intact along the line of weakness. In the packaging material 10, the line of weakness is formed by two pieces of material C1, C2 with their edges in substantial abutment, the abutted edges creating the line of weakness. Bags 20, 30, 40, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 130, 140, 150 may be formed from the packaging material. However, the bags so formed are not limited to having the line of weakness created by abutting edges in the inner layer C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Teckson International Limited
    Inventor: Luen Sing Tang
  • Publication number: 20030152300
    Abstract: A pouch has two sheet walls bonded to each other at peripheral edges thereof. A storage chamber is formed in between the sheet walls. The storage chamber has a main chamber and a sub-chamber. The sub-chamber connects to the main chamber and has a smaller size than the main chamber. A bonding potion is defined at an area on the pouch beside the sub-chamber. The sheet walls are fastening to each other at the bonding potion. A guiding line disposes at the bonding potion extending from the end thereof to the sub-chamber. The guiding line divides the bonding potion into a first segment and a second segment. A gap is disposed at the edge of the pouch at the distal end of the guiding line, whereby user can exert the first and the second segments of the bonding potion to tear them apart along the guiding line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Yao-Chung Tu, Tian-Jia Feng
  • Publication number: 20030089625
    Abstract: This invention provides a container (10) in the form of a sachet having a body (11) defining a reservoir (12). The body (11) includes a flexible first wall (13) having a line of weakness (14), and a relatively more flexible second wall (15) sealingly joined to the first wall (13), along its periphery. The line of weakness (14) is configured to open up to form an opening in the first wall (13) when the first wall (13) is folded about the line of weakness (14). The invention is characterised in that the line of weakness (14) is bent, resulting in the advantages that the first wall (13) opens in a controlled fashion and the container (10) is able to withstand relatively rough handling and a substantial amount of bending, without the first wall (13) opening accidentally along the line of weakness (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Malcolm Melsetter Moodie
  • Publication number: 20030077010
    Abstract: A stand-up bag of heat-sealable plastic film comprising two opposing side walls (1,2) sealed together along side seams (5, 6) and a bottom wall (4) folded inwards into V-shape and sealed to the first and the second side wall along transverse bottom seams (7,8) and along bottom side seams (9, 10). The bag further comprises a top wall (3) folded inwards into V-shape and sealed to the side wall in the same manner as the bottom wall (4). However, the top wall (3) and one of the side walls jointly form a projecting discharge spout (19) having a discharge passage (20), which is closed by a removable end portion (24) and sideways defined by spout side seams (21, 22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Werner Schulz
  • Publication number: 20030051440
    Abstract: A system and method for producing a partially perforated tear line on a substrate material uses an high energy beam to ablate the substrate material at a depth less than full depth of the substrate. By varying the output energy level of the high energy beam for varying time intervals, a substrate material is weakened to provide an easy open feature without significantly reducing the tensile strength of the substrate material. The ratio of partial perforated to unablated substrate material may vary according to almost any ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Preco Laser Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Chow, Dan B. Miller, Kurt A. Hatella
  • Publication number: 20030039412
    Abstract: A resealable closure for a container is described which includes a container having a main body portion and an integral extended body portion foldable over a part of the main body portion; and a releasable enclosure comprising a release surface and a releasable adhesive having a peel strength up to about 1 pound per inch, in which (a) the release surface is adhered to the main body portion and the releasable adhesive is adhered to the extended body portion, or (b) the releasable adhesive is adhered to the main body portion and the release surface is adhered to the extended body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Ronald G. Rodick
  • Patent number: 6491165
    Abstract: A flexible packaging bag is provided for containing a plurality of articles. Each of the articles has a component which is desirably visible to a user, purchaser, or the like. The flexible packaging bag includes a window in one of its walls that has a periphery substantially framing the graphic that is desired to be seen. A visual cue can be provided in another wall such that it is visually associated with the window in order to draw the attention of the user, purchaser, or the like to the graphic of the visible article. An accessory window is also provided in the flexible packaging bag so that the number of remaining articles can be easily determined visually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Marci Elizabeth Kuske, Anne Louise Miller, Leonard Michael Kaczmarzyk
  • Patent number: 6427840
    Abstract: In a packaged product (1) including a non-packaged product (2), including container (3) and a foil wrapper (13) which wholly envelops the container (3) together with the non-packaged product (2) accommodated therein the foil wrapper (13) is made of a heat-shrinkable foil (14) and the foil wrapper (13) only has perforation holes (19) forming a perforation (18) in its area which lies against the a container wall (4, 5, 8), and the foil wrapper (13) has no perforation holes in its area which covers an opening (10) in the container (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Günther Flacker
  • Patent number: 6395317
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to process and apparatus for forming a dual compartment package. The process includes forming an elongated rectangular U-shaped package having an inside and outside wall configured to form an open top end, and an inside and outside wall configured to form an open bottom end. The U-shaped package is filled with product. A zipper assembly having inter-locking members is separated into a first zipper component and a second zipper component. The first zipper component is attached to the inner side of the open top end walls thereby sealing the top end to the first zipper component. The open bottom end walls are placed adjacent the first zipper component, and the second zipper component is reattached to the first zipper component thereby locking the open bottom end walls between the inter-locking members of the zipper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventors: Balbir Singh, David A. Blythe, Stephen R. Holten, Gary Willison
  • Publication number: 20020057854
    Abstract: An easy open industrial bag includes a tab member secured to a front wall on the exterior of the bag. The tab member is secured between the front wall and a flap formed on a back wall of the bag and folded over and secured to the front wall for closing the bag. The flap is secured with an adhesive disposed in a pattern providing an adhesive void at an opening edge of the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Applicant: Southern Bag Corporation
    Inventor: Gene Douglas Schneck
  • Patent number: 6386760
    Abstract: A flexible reclosable package includes a package surrounding wall. The surrounding wall includes a first side panel and a second side panel opposite the first side panel. A reclosable zipper is mounted along the mouth for selective opening and closing of the package. The reclosable zipper includes a first and second closure member with the second side panel extending between them. The second side member includes a tear region having lower shear strength than remaining portions of the second side panel. Methods of operation and manufacture are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mladomir Tomic
  • Patent number: 6360916
    Abstract: A disposable product dispensing pouch having first and second generally rectanguloid plastic sheets having first, second, third and fourth distal corners and first and second inner respective opposed facing sides. The first and second sheets are affixed together on an affixing line forming a perimeter of a product-containing portion between the inner and outer opposed faces. The product-containing portion includes a generally trapezoidal main portion and a nozzle portion in permanent fluid communication with the main portion. The main portion has an area of being 70% and 90% of the area of the first and second plastic sheets and has portions extending to near the first, second and third distal corners of the sheets. The nozzle portion is oriented generally toward the fourth corner and has an area of between about 5% and 20% of the area of the main portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventors: David Sokolsky, Jamie Sendra, Philip Curtis
  • Patent number: 6342258
    Abstract: A boil-in-bag sachet is provided comprising top and bottom transverse seals, wherein the bottom transverse seal extends obliquely downwardly from at least one edge of the sachet that intersects an edge of the sachet at an angle of less than 90°, and preferably defining a bag-like or funnel-like bottom to the sachet, thereby improving drainage of water from within the sachet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: N. V. MasterFoods, S.A.
    Inventors: Kristian Berings, Frieda Jacqueline Helene Sporen
  • Patent number: 6318555
    Abstract: A flexible packaging bag is provided for containing a plurality of articles. Each of the articles has a component which is desirably visible to a user, purchaser, or the like. The flexible packaging bag includes a window in one of its walls that has a periphery substantially framing the graphic that is desired to be seen. A visual cue can be provided in another wall such that it is visually associated with the window in order to draw the attention of the user, purchaser, or the like to the graphic of the visible article. An accessory window is also provided in the flexible packaging bag so that the number of remaining articles can be easily determined visually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Marci Elizabeth Kuske, Anne Louise Miller, Leonard Michael Kaczmarzyk
  • Patent number: 6273610
    Abstract: There is disclosed a package including a box body having an opening and a cover member for closing the opening of the box body. The box body is formed of a packaging material of a soft sheet having a monolayer of a resin film or a multi-layer structure having a resin film. The box body includes: a rectangular bottom face portion; four side face portions folded from the four sides of the bottom face portion; corner sealing portions formed by jointing the inner faces of the side face portions at corner portions between the adjoining side face portions; flange portions folded outward of the box body from the upper ends of the side face portions substantially at a right angle thereto and with a predetermined width size; and flange jointing portions jointing the flange portions folded from the side face portions without any clearance between each other at the upper ends of the corner portions between the adjoining side face portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Koyama, Takeshi Bando, Yukiko Iida, Ikuya Saitou
  • Patent number: 6273608
    Abstract: A sterile collection bag and method of opening using wire mechanisms. The bag includes a body and an opening mechanism. The body is formed of opposed side walls and an upper body end. The interior of the body defines a sterile collection space for an object. The opening mechanism includes first and second flexible metal strips each having a first end, a second end, and a mid-section. The mid-section of each metal strip is attached to the center section of a side wall. The metal strips are longer than the width of the body so as to extend beyond the side wall edges. The ends of the metal strips are unattached to one another. In one embodiment, the upper end of the body includes an opening. In another embodiment, the body includes a lateral tear line located below the body upper end, with the opening mechanism located below the tear line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: International BioProducts Incorporated
    Inventors: N. Robert Ward, Jr., Debra K. Cory, Geoffrey S. Bright
  • Patent number: 6234310
    Abstract: A packaging system for a sterilizable item comprising a pouch having a frangible opening, the pouch defining a sterile compartment therein to hold a sterilizable item and a support element for fluid attachment to a sterilizer, the support element defining a window thereupon, the support element attached to the pouch along a perimeter of the opening. The opening may comprise a scored portion cut into the front side of the pouch. The support element may be a rigid cardboard support element defining a perforated window with a knockout piece. The system may also include a cover adhered with the window for ensuring that the knockout piece remains attached to the support element until broken. The system may also include an adhesive strip attached along a perimeter of the cover, and include a removable backing strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Richard P. Goldhaber
  • Patent number: 6220756
    Abstract: A system for packaging and dispensing fluids including a flexible package having a removable margin portion and retention elements by which a tube may be held in a certain position within the package such that, when the removable margin is detached and pressure is applied to the exterior surface of the package sides, the dispensing end of the tube is indirectly pushed out from within the package inner volume and above the margin of the package for sanitarily dispensing fluid and, upon release of the pressure, the tube may slide back within the inner volume for the sanitary storage of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Jon A. Darmstadter
  • Patent number: 6217216
    Abstract: The present invention provides reclosable plastic bags that a laboratory worker wearing gloves can open safely without the use of any tool or utensil and without increasing the risk of contact between the contents of the bag and the user. The reclosable plastic bags of the present invention may be made from an extruded plastic bag film web that may be cut or otherwise formed into a bag comprising a first wall on which a first closure profile element is disposed and a second wall on which a second closure profile element is disposed. On either wall or both walls, below the closure profile element, the plastic film web may be formed into subsections having different thicknesses. One of the subsections may be thinner cross-section, formed of a thinner bag film web, thus creating a “tear zone” that may have a substantially linear, not substantially cross-linked, molecular alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Nossi Taheri
  • Patent number: 6203867
    Abstract: A plastic packaging material which, when formed as a package having seams, will provide a predictable line of failure along a seam when the package is opened to prevent the package from tearing down the side. The predictable failure path is provided through a lamination process involving specific resins or blends of resins laminated in three (or more) layers in which an extruded inner layer forms a weak inner bond wholly within that inner layer to create the predictable line of failure and in which the process of forming the material does not inhibit processing speed, efficiency, and economics of materials used to provide this reliable openability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignees: Recot, Inc., Bryce Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Derkach, Robert F. Hawkins, Bruce Kinsman
  • Patent number: 6153232
    Abstract: A boil-in-bag package for the storage and cooking of food items includes an elongated rectangular shaped bag having an inside and an outside wall, a closed top end and an open bottom end. A handle section is adjacent the top end of the bag section, with the handle section having an upper and a lower portion and a first and second side. The upper portion of the handle section includes an opening sized and shaped for receiving a lifting utensil. A sealing/release mechanism is positioned on the handle section and is configured to releaseably close the open bottom end of the elongated bag section contiguous with the handle section thereby forming a U-shaped package configured to allow a through-flow of fluid between the inside walls of the U-shaped package. The sealing/release mechanism is further configured to allow for the release of the open bottom end from the handle section without contacting the elongated bag section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Uncle Ben's, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Holten, Balbir Singh, David A. Blythe, Simon R. Gainey, Edward J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6131822
    Abstract: A protection device designed to protect pendent-type sprinkler heads includes a shroud member that removably encloses a selected sprinkler head and a positioning member that selectively maintains the shroud member in a preferred orientation with respect to the sprinkler head. An included tearing member facilitates removal of the shroud member; the tearing member is a flexible, inelastic member that, when pulled correctly, will tear the shroud member along a predetermined path. The shroud member, itself, is characterized by lines of perforation that cooperate with the tearing member to ease shroud member removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Robert E. Farmer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6126317
    Abstract: A container in which an opening is formed by tearing includes a sidewall having a primary weakened line extending a length between opposed linear ends thereof, tearing along the primary weakened line forming an opening in the sidewall; and two secondary weakened lines formed in said sidewall, each said secondary weakened line including a portion thereof disposed in spaced, partially overlapping parallel relation to a respective said linear end of said primary weakened line, said portion of each said secondary weakened line having a length substantially less than said length between said ends of said primary weakened line. The secondary weakened lines each consist of a single elongated slit. Alternatively, the secondary weakened lines are substantially U-shaped; L-shaped; T-shaped; I-shaped; C-shape; or spirally shaped and may merge with the opposed ends of the primary weakened line. A web of material for forming bags on a form fill machine includes these primary weakened lines and secondary weakened lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Pac One, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Floyd Anderson, Michael A. Bullock, Mark Steele, Robert R. Shankle
  • Patent number: 6113266
    Abstract: A disposable tray for use with an infant car seat is formed from a sack containing foodstuff, such as might be provided by a fast food restaurant. The sack includes a base portion and a bottom that forms the tray. The tray can be supported on the cross bar of the car seat and is deep enough to contain food to be consumed by the infant. The sack includes opposite side panels and intermediate opposite end panels that are joined across a line of perforations. The end panels can be separated from the side panels along the perforations, and further removed from the sack at a line of perforations between the end panels and the base portion. The side panels are long enough to be wrapped around the cross bar when the base portion or tray is supported on the top surface of the bar. In one embodiment, the upper portion of the side panels overlap underneath the cross bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Valerie Skidmore