Bag Closure Secured By A Releasable Or Frangible Bond (e.g., Peel Seal) Patents (Class 383/210)
  • Patent number: 6726364
    Abstract: An easily opened storage package 10 has enclosure material 10M forming storage chamber 10C within the package containing stored article 10A. Chamber access region 12A proximate edge 12E of the package, provides entrance into the chamber and access to the stored article. Band seal 14 formed by upper lamina 14U and lower lamina 14L extends along the access region, enclosing breaching bubble 16. The band seal has inner seal portion 14I between the bubble and the chamber, and outer seal portion 14O between the bubble and edge 12E of the package. The bubble is expandable to open the package by external pressure applied by a consumer. Opposed pair of peel flaps, upper flap 16U and lower flap 16L, are formed by the opposed laminae of the outer seal along the edge breach as the bubble breaches. These small initial flaps are grasped by the consumer and manually peeled apart to initiate opening the band seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: PopPack, LLC
    Inventors: William S. Perell, Neil S. Hayden
  • Patent number: 6712510
    Abstract: A reclosable package having a front wall (10), a rear wall (14), bottom (18), top (16), and first and second sides (20, 22). A zipper (24) extends across the package top between the sides with a slider (30) disposed along the zipper between a zipper fully open position when the slider is at the first side (20) and a fully closed position when the slider is at the second side (22). A side seal (36) on the first side (20) joins the front wall (10) to the rear wall (14) and extends between the bottom (18) and the zipper (24). The side seal (36) further extends toward the second side (22) for a distance at least as long as the length of the slider (30). When the slider (30) is in the zipper fully open position it parks above the side seal (36) and out of the mouth of the package (10) leading to a product cavity (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Schneider, Donald L. Crevier, Patricia I. Norek
  • Publication number: 20040057638
    Abstract: An easily opened storage package 10 has enclosure material 10M forming storage chamber 10C within the package containing stored article 10A. Chamber access region 12A proximate edge 12B of the package, provides entrance into the chamber and access to the stored article. Band seal 14 formed by upper lamina 14U and lower lamina 14L extends along the access region, enclosing breaching bubble 16. The band seal has inner seal portion 14I between the bubble and the chamber, and outer seal portion 14O between the bubble and edge 12E of the package. The bubble is expandable to open the package by external pressure applied by a consumer. Opposed pair of peel flaps, upper flap 16U and lower flap 16L, are formed by the opposed laminae of the outer seal along the edge breach as the bubble breaches. These small initial flaps are grasped by the consumer and manually peeled apart to initiate opening the band seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: William S. Perell, Neil S. Hayden, Ellen Hayden
  • Publication number: 20040047524
    Abstract: Both apparatus and methods for flexible recloseable containers with peel seals are disclosed. In one embodiment, the peel seal has a height greater than the height of the fastener strip flange to which it is attached. The upper portion of the peel seal is attached to the flange. The lower portion of peel seal is attached to a wall of the container. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating containers, and also for forming, filling, sealing a container with a product therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Robert C. Stolmeier, Paul Wolak
  • Patent number: 6692150
    Abstract: The present invention is a disposable container having an easily openable structure capable of solving the problems in the easily openable disposable containers, and a die therefore at a low cost. An easily openable disposable container comprising a sheet such as a synthetic resin film or a film-like sheet with an aluminum foil laminated on the film for sealing the substance to be stored by sealing the entirety or a part of the periphery with a content such as a liquid or a particle, with an easily openable part formed in a part of the sealed parts, wherein the sealing of the easily openable part is formed in a width narrower than the sealing width in the other part of the sealed part, and a narrow width vertical sealing is formed continuously from the narrow width sealed part, elongating in the direction substantially orthogonal thereto into the inside of the container such that the sealing of the easily openable part forms a substantially T-shape or a substantially V-shape in a plan view, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Solvex Co.
    Inventor: Takahiro Hoshino
  • Patent number: 6659645
    Abstract: A stand-up bag of a heat-sealable plastic film comprising two opposing side walls (1, 2) sealed together along the lateral edges thereof by means of side seams (5, 6), an inwardly folded bottom wall (4) provided between the lower portions of the side walls (1, 2) and sealed to the respective side walls (1, 2) along transverse bottom seams (7) and along bottom side seams, and an inwardly folded top wall (3) extending between the side walls and connected to the respective side walls (1, 2) along transverse top connections (11, 12) and sealed to the respective side walls (1, 2) along top side seams. One of the side walls (1) comprises a first side wall section (1a) and a second side wall section (1b) which overlaps the first side wall section (1a) in an overlapping area (15). In the overlapping area (15) the two side wall sections (1a, 1b) are connected by means of longitudinal peelable connections (19, 20) along the side seams (5, 6) and by means of a transverse peelable connection (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Amcor Flexibles Europe A/S
    Inventor: Werner Schulz
  • Patent number: 6659643
    Abstract: A reclosable fastener assembly (10) for a reclosable plastic bag (18) in which the fastener assembly (10) is sealed to a single wall (14) of the plastic bag. The fastener assembly (10) includes various tear-openable barrier arrangements with the barrier arrangements sealing and protecting the contents of the reclosable plastic bag (18) before being torn open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Plourde, Art Malin
  • Publication number: 20030223658
    Abstract: A sheet material which may be used for a closure system adapted to receive surface fasteners. The sheet material may be used for the manufacture of containers, such as bags and provides a primary form of closure as well as a secondary form of closure which allows for tamper proofing an packaged product prior to its initial opening followed by a one or two part secondary closure system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: David D. Smith, Nobuo Fujisawa, Jerry E. Buchanan
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030210838
    Abstract: A flexible package generally including a front panel portion, a back panel portion, a first side panel portion, and at least one access device. The flexible package can further include a second side panel portion, a bottom panel portion, and a top panel portion. Additionally, one or more of the portions can be shaped and/or manufactured substantially as a gusset. Each of the panel portions comprise two longitudinal sides or edges. The access-device can be attached to at least one surface of at least one of the side panel portions such that the device is in transverse orientation to the longitudinal sides. The device can be manually attached to the side portions, or attached with existing and/or specially designed manufacturing machinery. Attachment of the access device to a side portion of the package is achieved using heat bonding techniques, adhesives, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20030202717
    Abstract: A reclosable package having a front wall (10), a rear wall (14), bottom (18), top (16), and first and second sides (20, 22). A zipper (24) extends across the package top between the sides with a slider (30) disposed along the zipper between a zipper fully open position when the slider is at the first side (20) and a fully closed position when the slider is at the second side (22). A side seal (36) on the first side (20) joins the front wall (10) to the rear wall (14) and extends between the bottom (18) and the zipper (24). The side seal (36) further extends toward the second side (22) for a distance at least as long as the length of the slider (30). When the slider (30) is in the zipper fully open position it parks above the side seal (36) and out of the mouth of the package (10) leading to a product cavity (38).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: John H. Schneider, Donald L. Crevier, Patricia I. Norek
  • Publication number: 20030185466
    Abstract: A double gusseted, tamper evident, reclosable container 120 of plastic film. The container can be stored in a flat condition but is capable of receiving a bulky item such as a loaf of bread or a stack of paper napkins with the bag assuming a squared off condition. The container 120 has two gussets 185 and 191.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Paul F. Edelman, David W. Keith
  • 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: 20030148004
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid storage bag having a partition wall allowed to be peeled easily and not peeled by an accidental drop, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Yumi Kawaguchi, Toru Ikeda, Yoshihiro Kobayashi, Shozo Taguchi, Yoshikatsu Tomita
  • Patent number: 6572266
    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: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Buchman
  • Publication number: 20030100424
    Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes a base portion; a plurality of walls, the walls in communication with the base portion; a top portion, the top portion in communication with the walls; a discrete panel; and a reclosable zipper. An apparatus for making the pouch, and a method of making the pouch, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Charles R. Barmore, Timothy G. Caudle
  • Publication number: 20030099412
    Abstract: A reclosable package has a first wall and a second wall opposite to the front wall A first zipper profile including a first interlocking member is attached to the first wall and a second profile having a second interlocking member, engageable with the first interlocking member, is attached to the second wall. A slider is positioned on the profiles for movement along the profiles from side to side of the package. Package material is provided which must be removed or ruptured to permit operation of the slider or to provide access to the package contents. In either event, the steps needed to permit the initial access to the package contents leave clear evidence for a consumer that the package has been opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: John H. Schneider, Donald L. Crevier, Steven Ausnit, Michael McMahon, Lawrence Share, Eric P. Plourde, Robert E. Hogan
  • Patent number: 6568533
    Abstract: An object (7) to be packed is sandwiched between sheet-like package materials (2,2). A weakly-sealed portion (4) is formed so as to surround the packed object (7) while leaving a grip flap (3) for each of the package materials (2,2), thereby forming a bag portion (5) which accommodates the packed object (7) within the weakly-sealed portion (4). The grip flap (3) has a length (L) set to about 20 mm for easy handling. The weakly-sealed portion (4) can be peeled by grasping and pulling the grip flap (3) to take out the packed object (7) within the bag portion (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Tanaka, Naoru Hamaguchi, Shuji Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20030047467
    Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and administration of medical solutions. The container incorporates a transparent front sheet made from a planar layer of a polymer and an opposing rear sheet. The rear sheet is made from a planar laminate layer. The front and rear sheets are sealed together along a common peripheral edge to form a volume enclosure. The volume enclosure is constructed of materials having high oxygen and moisture barrier properties which allows the container thermoplastic to be stored for extended periods of time without degrading the contents. The volume enclosure is then inflated with a pressurized gas to permanently stretch the front and rear sheets outwardly and to thereby increase the volume capacity of the container. An alternative embodiment of the container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by peelable seals, for containing a diluent and a medicament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Steven L. Smith, Ward Barney, Noel Gharbian, Douglas G. Harvey, Mark R. Mclonis, Christopher D. Peara, Scott L. Pool, Giuseppe Sacca, Thomas R. Sakaguchi, Sharilyn J. Sandberg, William V. Walter, Nicholas Chung-Hui Wu, Walter A. York, H. Theodore Young
  • Patent number: 6488410
    Abstract: A reclosable packaging having a slider/zipper assembly, a header and a tamper-evident feature which undergoes a tangible change when the slider is moved relative to the header for the first time. The tamper-evident feature comprises a layer of sticky or adhesive material placed between a surface of the header and an opposing surface of the slider, thus forming a seal. The material must have a peel strength or resistance to rupture sufficient to resist an initial movement of the slider along the zipper. If the slider is stuck or adhered to the header, this indicates that the package or bag has not been tampered with, i.e., previously opened. When sufficient force is applied, the seal can be broken, allowing the slider to move relative to the header along the zipper in the direction of opening. Once broken, the seal cannot be restored by simply returning the slider to its original position and pressing the slider against the sticky or adhesive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6485177
    Abstract: A pouch construction has a flexible stand-up pouch having first and second opposite panels and a bottom or base gusset. The flexible pouch has a seal perimeter surrounding an open interior. In a portion of the seal perimeter, there is provided a peel seal region. The flexible pouch construction has an unsealed region, along a perimeter edge, spaced from the interior of the pouch by the peel seal region. As a result, in the unsealed region, the pouch panels can be spread apart allowing a straw or similar member to be pushed between the panels, in the region of the peel seal, to open the pouch for access to a drink contained inside. Methods of constructing such arrangements, and preferred pouch blanks that can be filled to form such arrangements are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Gary M. Bell
  • Patent number: 6481890
    Abstract: A zipper closure having a first and second releasably interlocking closure profiles where a first sealing flange extends from the first closure profile, and a second sealing flange extends from the second closure profile. Two rectangular-shaped protrusions are on each of an exterior and interior side of the first sealing flange. A rectangular-shaped protrusion is on each of an exterior and interior side of the second sealing flange. The rectangular-shaped protrusions on each interior side of first and second sealing flange are constructed and arranged to mate with each other. A flexible, reclosable package and methods of manufacturing are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Greg VandenHeuvel
  • Patent number: 6481891
    Abstract: A package in the form of a reclosable bag includes a bag body including front and back walls, and a profile strip fastener assembly sealingly mounted on the inside surface of the front wall. The profile strip fastener assembly includes a pair of releasably interlocking profile strips, with a secondary, peelable seal provided between the profile strips apart from their mechanically interlocked portions. By this arrangement, enhanced sealing for the package is provided, while abating the stress to which the interlocked portions of the profile strips are subjected during forming and filling of the package. The bag body preferably includes a frangible joint substantially aligned with the fastener assembly for gaining access to the assembly, with the frangible joint desirably providing tamper-evidence of opening of the package. The profile strips are sealed to the front wall of the bag body with a continuous oval shaped seal around the frangible joint. The perimeter seal is located above the peelable seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 6475578
    Abstract: Multilayer films and packaging structure made therefrom which incorporate a peelable seal which operates via two peel mechanisms which are temperature dependent. The multilayered films and the packages in which they are utilized, have multiple layers including a fifth layer comprising high density polyethylene; a fourth layer comprising high density polyethylene, a third layer comprising high density polyethylene; a second layer comprising high density polyethylene and polybutylene and a first layer comprising ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene plastomer and polybutylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Pechiney Emballage Flexible Europe
    Inventors: Lisa King Gerrits, Russell P. Gehrke, Paul T. Greisinger
  • Patent number: 6471401
    Abstract: A laminated film includes an outer-layer-film, a water-soluble film, and an intermediate layer interposed between the outer-layer-film and the water-soluble film. The intermediate layer contains high-pressure polyethylene oxidized to a prescribed degree on a surface thereof contiguous to the water-soluble film. The outer-layer-film and the intermediate layer adhere fast to each other. The intermediate layer and the water-soluble film directly contact each other and adhere so weakly to each other as to be peelable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Kyodo Shiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Tokita
  • Publication number: 20020126921
    Abstract: A pouch construction has a flexible stand-up pouch having first and second opposite panels and a bottom or base gusset. The flexible pouch has a seal perimeter surrounding an open interior. In a portion of the seal perimeter, there is provided a peel seal region. The flexible pouch construction has an unsealed region, along a perimeter edge, spaced from the interior of the pouch by the peel seal region. As a result, in the unsealed region, the pouch panels can be spread apart allowing a straw or similar member to be pushed between the panels, in the region of the peel seal, to open the pouch for access to a drink contained inside. Methods of constructing such arrangements, and preferred pouch blanks that can be filled to form such arrangements are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Gary M. Bell
  • Patent number: 6440508
    Abstract: A laminated film includes an outer-layer-film, a water-soluble film, and an intermediate layer interposed between the outer-layer-film and the water-soluble film. The intermediate layer contains high-pressure polyethylene oxidized to a prescribed degree on a surface thereof contiguous to the water-soluble film. The outer-layer-film and the intermediate layer adhere fast to each other. The intermediate layer and the water-soluble film directly contact each other and adhere so weakly to each other as to be peelable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Kyodo Shiko Co.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Tokita, Takahiro Takagi
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20020094138
    Abstract: A reclosable packaging having a slider/zipper assembly, a header and a tamper-evident feature which undergoes a tangible change when the slider is moved relative to the header for the first time. The tamper-evident feature comprises a layer of sticky or adhesive material placed between a surface of the header and an opposing surface of the slider, thus forming a seal. The material must have a peel strength or resistance to rupture sufficient to resist an initial movement of the slider along the zipper. If the slider is stuck or adhered to the header, this indicates that the package or bag has not been tampered with, i.e., previously opened. When sufficient force is applied, the seal can be broken, allowing the slider to move relative to the header along the zipper in the direction of opening. Once broken, the seal cannot be restored by simply returning the slider to its original position and pressing the slider against the sticky or adhesive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: John H. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20020094141
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a disposable container having an easily openable structure capable of solving the problems in the easily openable disposable containers, and a die therefore at a low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Solvex Co.
    Inventor: Takahiro Hoshino
  • Patent number: 6383600
    Abstract: A fastener tape for use in the manufacture of reclosable plastic bags is provided. The fastener tape comprises an intermediate layer and a reclosable fastener profile thereon. The intermediate layer includes three layers of co-extruded plastic, with not more than 4% EVA as the outer two layers and HDPE as the middle layer. The intermediate layer is folded so as to bring portions of the intermediate layer into an opposing relationship. These opposing portions are then sealed together by a pair of seal bars. By carefully controlling the sealing temperature, a consistent peel seal is created between the opposing portions of the intermediate layer without the need for an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James Johnson, Daniel T. Sullivan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6357914
    Abstract: A flexible package is provided with a slider fastener closure. A side seal forming the package is enlarged at its upper end to provide a smooth transition of product dispensed from the package, and to shield the slider during dispensing. The enlarged side seal portion is spaced from the fastener tracks. The fastener tracks are deformed to provide a stop, spaced from the side seals, to limit slider movement. A stop of reduced area, enlarging the package opening, is made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Panagiotis Kinigakis, Steven C. Lee
  • Patent number: 6325542
    Abstract: A package bag in a rectangular-like shape for enclosing an object to be packed W, which package bag is configured by a film F having a sealant layer 20 to be fusion-bonded so as to cause interfacial peeling, ply separation, or cohesive failure, and thermally sealed portions provided in at least three sides or four sides 3 in a state enclosing the object to be packed in an inside of the package bag, wherein at least one of the thermally sealed portions 4 along one of the sides is a strippable seal 8a, which is associated with an unsealed portion 8 as stripping margins positioned between the strippable seal 8a and an film edge 6; and the strippable seal 8a is formed in at least a part of the one of the thermally sealed portions 4 to be in a wave-like shape or in a V-like shape protruding toward the film edge 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Komatsu Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Komatsu
  • Patent number: 6325543
    Abstract: A zipper bag contains interlocking profiles on the front and rear walls of the bag. The bag further has gusseted side walls that include portions aligned with the interlocking profiles that are relatively thin as compared with the remainder of the bag walls. The thinned sections may be profile-free portions of a carrier web for the profiles. Windows are cut out of the sidewalls and covered by the profile free sections of the carrier web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Ausnit
  • Patent number: 6315448
    Abstract: A multiwall bag having a fold closeable end combined with a peelable opening assembly adapted to be held within the folded closure, that when opened, provides a pour spout for dispensing of the contents of the package, and optionally, means for reclosing the bag after it has been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Bemis Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald G. Thrall
  • Patent number: 6309105
    Abstract: A pack has a body (11) defining a cavity for receiving articles such as wet wipes. The body (11) is provided with a slit (13) which is non-rectilinear and which has first and second ends, for example V-shaped. A sealing member (15) covers the slit and is resealably adhered to the body on both sides of the slit, whereby to provide a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Gianfranco Palumbo
  • Patent number: 6296389
    Abstract: A packing bag is easy to open and allows an end of an content to be easily exposed to the outside by separating heat-bonding portions of external an internal packing films from each other and tearing the external packing film. The packing bag includes two rectangular packing films each having a thermoplastic resinous layer formed on its inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadao Yamamoto, Shin Yamada, Kazutaka Manabe
  • Patent number: 6290393
    Abstract: A package, such as a flexible bag, having a resealable, reclosable zipper closure mechanism, opening and closing of which is accomplished by a slider device mounted on the zipper mechanism. A tamper-evident structure, such as a peel seal, is provided on the interior of the package between the zipper closure and the product retention volume. A second peel seal is provided between the zipper closure and environment surrounding the flexible package. Methods for making and using the dual peel seal zipper closure are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mladomir Tomic
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010017950
    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: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Sargento. Foods Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Strand, Karl L. Linck, Judy Fischer, Thomas J. Spaeth, Jerry D. Kolbe
  • Patent number: 6279581
    Abstract: A portable, flexible humidor for cigars is provided. A flexible cigar storage compartment and a flexible moisture control compartment are connected by a passageway having a staggered series of channels which permit moisture-laden air to flow from one compartment to another while deterring the flow of liquid. Cigars are stored in the flexible cigar storage compartment and a moist sponge is inserted in the flexible moisture control compartment. Both compartments have resealable openings which permit the user to repetitively open and close the compartments to gain access to the cigars and the sponge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: William D. Knepper
  • Patent number: 6280085
    Abstract: A convertible package having an interior for holding a flowable product, e.g., a powder or granular material. The package includes at a front panel, a rear panel, and a removable covering. The front and rear panels are formed of a flexible sheets having a peripheral edge along which the panels are heat sealed to form the package's hollow interior. The removable cover is made up of a front cover sheet and a rear cover sheet, which are formed of a flexible material and are of a sufficient extent to encompass the entire area of the front panel and rear panels, respectively. The cover sheets are releasably secured along their periphery to respective ones of the packages front and rear panels to effectively isolate those panels from the ambient surroundings. The two cover sheets are arranged to be peeled off the panels, leaving the front and rear panels secured together with the product sealed within the hollow interior of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Fres-co System USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Beer
  • Publication number: 20010016085
    Abstract: A recloseable package is disclosed having a front wall and a rear wall. A thermoplastic zipper male base member is disposed at a top end of the first wall and a thermoplastic zipper female base member is disposed at a top end of the second wall. The base members each have a profile which extends transversely across the walls. The profiles are each disposed between a product side web and a consumer side web. A heat resistant barrier is provided on facing surfaces of the male and female product side webs, extending from product side longitudinal edges of the base members toward the associated profiles. The male and female base members are heat sealed to the first and second walls, respectively, opposite to the heat resistant barriers which are resistant to heat sealing to each other. The facing surfaces of the consumer side webs may likewise have heat resistant barrier layers, in which case the package is sealed above the consumer side webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: James R. Johnson
  • 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: 6270255
    Abstract: An easy-open beverage container and opening system therefor includes first and second barrier walls having top edges and upper portions of opposite side edges which matingly face one another and which form an open top therebetween. A bifold membrane with a longitudinal fold is located in the open top. A membrane attachment securely attaches peripheral edges of the bifold membrane to adjacent top edges and upper portions of the opposite side edges such that the bifold membrane closes the open top and the facing top edges of the barrier walls are movable away from one another to expose the longitudinal fold for piercing by a straw. In a preferred embodiment, a side attachment securely attaches facing portions of the peripheral edges of the bifold membrane adjacent the upper portions of the opposite side edges so that the facing upper portions of the opposite side edges are not movable away from one another and thus the facing top edges tend to stay together and protect the bifold membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Kaufman, Ivica M. Labuda
  • Patent number: 6270257
    Abstract: A package in the form of a reclosable bag includes a bag body including front and back walls, and a profile strip fastener assembly sealingly mounted on the inside surface of the front wall. The profile strip fastener assembly includes a pair of releasably interlocking profile strips, with a secondary, peelable seal provided between the profile strips apart from their mechanically interlocked portions. By this arrangement, enhanced sealing for the package is provided, while abating the stress to which the interlocked portions of the profile strips are subjected during forming and filling of the package. The bag body preferably includes a frangible joint substantially aligned with the fastener assembly for gaining access to the assembly, with the frangible joint desirably providing tamper-evidence of opening of the package. The profile strips are sealed to the front wall of the bag body with a continuous oval shaped seal around the frangible joint. The perimeter seal is located above the peelable seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 6264366
    Abstract: Reclosable closure arrangements suitable for use with packages, such as food and non-food packages, include a zipper closure having mating closure profiles that are releasably engageable with each other, a slider device to open and close the profiles, and a tamper evident-structure. In some embodiments, the tamper evident-structure is positioned between the zipper closure and the slider device. In other embodiments, the tamper evident-structure is positioned over the zipper closure and the slider device. The tamper evident-structure may be a variety of constructions, such as an encapsulating layer. The tamper-evident structures may include structures such as peel seals, areas of weakness, and solid folds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard G. Custer
  • Patent number: 6254273
    Abstract: An interlocking pour-spout closure for a flexible, gusseted package and a flexible gusseted package including such a closure. The package is formed of a flexible material and includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of opposed side gussets. The package is initially sealed, e.g., by a peelable seal line. The panels and gussets each include a top portion. The package also includes a pour-through mouth, e.g., a portion of the panels and one side gusset is arranged to be removed from the remainder of the package. The pour-through mouth is located at the top of the package at one of the side gussets and is arranged to be opened by the pour-spout closure to provide access to the contents of the package. The closure includes a pair of closure sections hingedly secured to each other and each section includes a cut-away portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Fres-co System USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Galomb, David K. Suto
  • Patent number: 6244748
    Abstract: A plastic package with a fastener composed of a plastic package body and a sealing sheet disposed in an internal portion of the package, wherein a first side of the package body and the sealing sheet are capable of being opened and closed by the fastener at an inlet portion of the package body, and a second side of the package body and the sealing sheet are sealed and the first side of the package body and the sealing sheet are bonded by peelable bonding portion(s) at a more internal side and/or external side of the package than the fastener. The package of the present invention has excellent filling, opening and resealing abilities even if the contents are liquid, as well as excellent pressure resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Showa Highpolymer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Juichi Kasai, Yoshihiro Tomomoto, Osamu Uemura