EP2218649A1 - Closure assembly for pouches and pouches containing such a closure assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly has male and female elements carried by primary webs (160, 260), where the primary webs and secondary webs (170, 270) co-extruded with the elements. The secondary webs are respectively connected to walls of a sachet and respectively connected to the primary webs at articulation zones (172, 272). The articulation zones are formed by extrusion and located perpendicular to connection zones (102, 202) of the elements on the primary webs. Complementary additional elements (100b, 100c, 200b, 200c) e.g. hooks, are carried by the primary webs at sides of the articulation zones.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of packaging bags.

More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of packaging bags comprising closure means in the form of complementary profiles.

Many packaging bags and many closure sets for this purpose, have already been proposed.

Most closure assemblies known for this purpose comprise two complementary elements 100, 200, for example of the male / female type or of the velvet / hook type or else of the complementary hook type, carried by respective support webs 150, 250, as illustrated. on the figure 1 attached. Such support webs 150, 250 may be reported on the films comprising the bag or extruded with these films.

For many years has been expressed the desire to have closure assemblies meeting the above principle, but having a difficulty of opening under the effect of a solicitation from inside the bag. Such a problem aims to prevent the inadvertent opening of bags equipped with such closure assemblies.

In 1965 it was proposed in the document US Patent 3,347,298 , closure assemblies of the type illustrated on the figure 2 appended according to which the female element 200 has an enlarged base 201 on its outer side, in order to make opening easier under the effect of external stress than under the effect of an internal stress. These closure assemblies, however, have not experienced real industrial developments.

In 1981 it was proposed in the document US Patent 4,430,070 to make closure assemblies of the type illustrated on the figure 3 attached by fixing films 10, 20 on complementary elements 100, 200 pre-extruded. More precisely according to this document the films 10, 20 are only fixed on a part of the surface of the complementary elements 100, 200, in order to generate an effect called said hinge allow relative pivoting between the films 10, 20 and the complementary elements 100, 200, under the pressure of the pressure inside the bag, to make it more difficult to open the bag under this stress. The effectiveness of such closure assemblies, however, has not been clearly demonstrated. The document US Patent 4,430,070 he himself proposes on his figures 5 and 6 , variant embodiments in which the films 10, 20 would be welded to the entire surface of one of the closure elements 100, 200, thus preventing the hinge effect for the element concerned. Closing assemblies of the type illustrated on the figure 3 have also not experienced real industrial developments. Without this being fully explained, it was considered that these closure assemblies are not completely satisfactory insofar as the hinge effect remains random because of difficulty in precisely locating the connection area between the films 10, 20 and the closure elements 100, 200, by thermal welding. If indeed the bonding area covers the entire surface of the closure elements 100, 200, due to the surface condition of these means at the outlet of the fastening station proceeding by thermal welding, a hinge effect is not obtained . If, on the other hand, the connection zone between the films 10, 20 and the closure elements 100, 200 is too weak, the assembly has insufficient strength and can lead to untimely breaks.

In 1988 it was proposed in the document FR-A-2628067 closure assemblies of the type shown in the figure 4 attached. The figure 4 illustrates more precisely the mouth of a resealable bag known from this document. The provisions represented on the figure 4 are intended to limit the risk that the pressure inside the bag tends to separate the closure elements 100, 200.

We can see on the figure 4 attached, the two main walls 10, 20 of a bag, at the mouth of the latter. We can also see on the figure 4 appended, a closure assembly comprising two complementary closure elements 100, 200 carried by respective webs 150, 250 respectively fixed on the films 10 and 20.

More specifically, the attachment areas of the support webs 150, 250 on the films 10 and 20 are referenced 152 and 252.

It will be noted in the examination of figure 4 , that the fixing area 152 of the support web 150 on the film 10 is not superimposed on the male element 100 but offset with respect thereto. It could be a variant of an offset of the zone 252 for fixing the support web 250 on the film 20 with respect to the female element 200.

Thus, the web 150 forming a support for the male element 100 is articulated on the film 10 at the attachment zone 152. It is indicated in the document FR-A-2628067 that thanks to this arrangement, the pressure inside the bag leads a possible pivoting of the support web 150 at the hinge zone formed by its attachment 152, without risk of separation of the closure elements 100 and 200.

We have shown on the figure 5 an embodiment variant also disclosed in the document FR-A-2628067 according to which the two support webs 150, 250 are fixed on the respective films 10 and 20 at localized zones 152, 252 not superimposed on the closure elements 100 and 200.

The present invention now aims to improve the state of the art by proposing new ways to limit the risk of inadvertent opening of the closure means under the effect of the internal pressure of the bag. The invention thus particularly aims to limit the risk of opening during handling or during storage or stacking of bags.

The above object is achieved in the context of the present invention by means of a closure assembly comprising two complementary elements carried by respective webs, characterized in that said two complementary elements are carried by primary webs coextruded with said two complementary elements and that the closure assembly further comprises secondary webs coextruded with said two complementary elements, intended to be connected to the walls of the bag and which are connected to the primary webs at respective joints formed by extrusion and located in line with the connecting zones of a pair of complementary closure elements on the primary webs and additional stages of elements complementary, carried by the primary sails at least on one side of the hinge areas.

As will be explained later, the foregoing features make it possible to prevent the pressure inside the bag from separating the profiles. Indeed, thanks to these characteristics an internal pressure in the bag leads to a traction operated by the secondary webs, which tends to strengthen the attachment of the complementary closure elements.

Furthermore, the realization of the integral closure assembly comprising the closure elements, the primary webs and the secondary webs, by extrusion, makes it possible to locate the hinge zones with complete reliability.

When it is desired to allow easy opening of the bag from the outside thereof, there is provided on the closure assembly, auxiliary sails opening respectively connected at least semi-rigidly to the primary webs. On the contrary, when it is desired to make the opening almost impossible from the outside of the bag, there is no provision for such auxiliary opening sails or only auxiliary sails flexibly articulated on the primary sails. .

• comprendre desdites articulations qui sont souples,
• comprendre des articulations respectives qui sont formées par un rétrécissement de matière,
• comprendre des articulations respectives qui sont formées par ou à proximité d'un décrochement entre les voiles primaires et les voiles secondaires,
• comprendre des voiles auxiliaires d'ouverture qui sont liés respectivement au moins semi-rigidement aux voiles primaires,
• comprendre des voiles primaires s'étendent de part et d'autre desdites zones de liaison, de sorte que les tronçons externes des voiles primaires constituent des voiles auxiliaires d'ouverture liés respectivement au moins semi-rigidement aux voiles primaires autorisant une ouverture facile du sachet à partir de l'extérieur de celui-ci,
• comprendre des tronçons externes des voiles primaires dont la rigidité intrinsèque et la rigidité de la liaison existant entre ces tronçons externes des voiles primaires et les éléments de fermeture, sont supérieures à la rigidité de la liaison en articulation définie entre les voiles secondaires est les voiles primaires,
• comprendre en outre un curseur d'actionnement,
• comprendre un film ou voile formant témoin d'ouverture et renfort d'étanchéité, qui chevauche initialement le curseur,
• comprendre des stries sur des voiles support,
• comprendre des voiles primaires qui sont interrompus au niveau des zones d'articulation de sorte que l'ouverture est quasi-impossible à partir de l'extérieur du sachet,
• comprendre des voiles auxiliaires dirigés vers l'extérieur de l'ensemble de fermeture et articulés de façon souple sur les voiles primaires de sorte que l'ouverture est quasi-impossible à partir de l'extérieur du sachet,
• comprendre des voiles primaires qui s'étendent de part et d'autre de la zone d'articulation et l'ensemble de fermeture comprend des voiles secondaires et des voiles auxiliaires additionnels tous articulés de façon souple en sur les voiles primaires,
• comprendre une ligne de faiblesse sur une zone localisée, par exemple au niveau de l'une des zones d'articulation, afin de contrôler et confiner la zone de déchirure, lorsqu'une ouverture est forcée, afin de visualiser clairement cette ouverture,
• comprendre une paire d'éléments complémentaires au droit des zones d'articulation des voiles secondaires, et des étages additionnels d'éléments complémentaires, portés par les voiles primaires respectivement de part et d'autre des zones d'articulation,
• comprendre des étages additionnels d'éléments complémentaires qui comprennent au moins un bourrelet,
• comprendre des étages additionnels d'éléments complémentaires qui comprennent au moins une paire d'éléments du type mâle/femelle ou du type crochets ou du type velours/crochets,
• comprendre des éléments complémentaires dissymétriques,
• comprendre une branche interne d'un élément femelle de fermeture qui est plus épaisse et plus rigide que son élément externe,
• être venu de matière sur les parois d'un sac,
• être rapporté sur les parois d'un sac,
• être muni d'un voile formant témoin d'ouverture,
• comprendre un voile ou film formant témoin d'ouverture qui relie initialement les bords libres des tronçons internes des voiles primaires,
• comprendre un film ou voile formant témoin d'ouverture et renfort d'étanchéité reliant initialement les bords libres des tronçons extérieurs des voiles primaires,
• comprendre un voile formant témoin d'ouverture qui comporte un point de faiblesse, préférentiellement en sa partie médiane, par exemple sous forme d'une zone de moindre épaisseur ou d'une zone en un matériau plus fragile, afin de localiser la ligne de rupture préférentielle de ce voile,
• comprendre des éléments de fermeture additionnel, un voile articulé additionnel d'étanchéité qui porte l'un des éléments de fermeture additionnels, ledit voile additionnel étant lui-même relié à l'un des voiles primaires, au niveau d'une zone non superposée à l'élément de fermeture additionnel correspondant et qui se prolonge au-delà de cet élément de fermeture additionnel de sorte que lors de l'engagement des éléments de fermeture complémentaires additionnels, l'extrémité du voile articulé vienne en appui sur une structure en regard, par exemple le voile primaire opposé,
• être réalisé intégralement par extrusion, en matériau thermoplastique, par exemple à base de polyéthylène ou polypropylène,
• comprendre des éléments complémentaires de fermeture qui sont de type mâle/femelle à compléments de forme, de type crochets complémentaires ou du type en tête de flèche complémentaires,
• comprendre un des voiles primaires qui porte au moins deux éléments en tête de flèche adaptés pour recevoir entre eux un élément complémentaire porté par l'autre voile,
• comprendre des voiles primaires qui porte chacun une pluralité d'éléments complémentaires susceptibles de venir en engagement,
• comprendre trois niveaux d'éléments complémentaires et 100c, 200c) sur les voiles primaires,
• comprendre des éléments complémentaires portés par les voiles primaires qui sont panachés,
• comprendre un premier niveau d'éléments complémentaires au droit des zones d'articulation des voiles secondaires et deux niveaux additionnels d'éléments complémentaires de type crochets, sur l'intérieur du sachet par rapport au premier niveau d'éléments complémentaires précités,
• comprendre des voiles portant chacun trois éléments en tête de flèche destinés à s'imbriquer avec les éléments complémentaires portés par le voile opposé,
• comprendre des voiles primaires et les éléments complémentaires portés par ceux-ci qui sont symétriques,
• être formé de deux sous ensembles symétriques,
• comprendre que les voiles primaires portent au moins un bourrelet d'étanchéité,
• comporter deux voiles primaires qui porte chacun trois éléments en tête de flèche destinés à s'imbriquer avec les éléments complémentaires portés par le voile opposé, des prolongements vers l'extérieur des voiles primaires sous forme de tronçons et des voiles secondaires articulés sur les voiles primaires, au niveau d'articulations, les tronçons externes des voiles primaires étant situés globalement dans le prolongement des voiles secondaires, les voiles primaires étant ainsi reliés aux tronçons externes par l'intermédiaire de décrochements respectifs au moins semi rigides, dirigés vers l'extérieur à partir des voiles primaires, et les voiles secondaires étant munis d'une zone de faible épaisseur formant l'articulation, à proximité des décrochements,
• comporter deux voiles primaires qui porte chacun trois éléments en tête de flèche destinés à s'imbriquer avec les éléments complémentaires portés par le voile opposé, des prolongements vers l'extérieur des voiles primaires sous forme de tronçons et des voiles secondaires articulés sur les voiles primaires, au niveau d'articulations, les tronçons externes des voiles primaires étant situés globalement dans le prolongement des voiles primaires et étant reliés au moins semi rigidement à ceux-ci, les voiles secondaires étant reliés aux voiles primaires par l'intermédiaire de décrochements respectifs souples dirigés vers l'extérieur à partir des voiles primaires et les décrochements étant formés de zones de faible épaisseur formant l'articulation,
• comporter des voiles primaires qui s'étendent de part et d'autre de la zone d'articulation, des voiles secondaires et des voiles auxiliaires additionnels articulés de façon souple sur les voiles primaires, les voiles secondaires et les voiles auxiliaires additionnels étant globalement respectivement alignés, une paire d'éléments complémentaires au droit des zones d'articulation des voiles secondaires, des étages additionnels d'éléments complémentaires, respectivement de part et d'autre des zones d'articulation, les zones d'articulation étant formées de décrochements dirigés vers l'extérieur à partir des voiles primaires,
• comprendre l'un des voiles primaires qui est prolongé sur son extrémité interne par un retour, adapté pour chevaucher le bord libre interne du voile primaire opposé et ainsi renforcer l'étanchéité de l'ensemble, en position fermée.

According to other features of the invention, the closure assembly can:

• to understand said articulations which are flexible,
• to understand respective joints which are formed by a shrinkage of material,
• comprise respective joints which are formed by or near a setback between the primary and secondary sails,
• include auxiliary opening sails which are respectively at least semi-rigidly connected to the primary sails,
• comprising primary webs extend on either side of said connecting zones, so that the outer sections of the primary webs constitute auxiliary opening sails respectively connected at least semi-rigidly to the primary webs allowing easy opening of the bag from outside of it,
• to include external sections of the primary webs whose intrinsic rigidity and rigidity of the connection existing between these outer sections of the primary webs and the closure elements are greater than the rigidity of the articulation link defined between the secondary webs is the primary webs ,
• furthermore include an actuator slider,
• comprise a film or sail forming an opening witness and sealing reinforcement, which initially overlaps the cursor,
• understand streaks on support sails,
• include primary sails that are interrupted at the hinge areas so that the opening is almost impossible from the outside of the bag,
• include auxiliary webs directed outwardly of the closure assembly and flexibly articulated on the primary webs so that the opening is virtually impossible from the outside of the bag,
• comprise primary sails which extend on both sides of the articulation zone and the closure assembly comprises secondary sails and additional auxiliary sails all flexibly articulated on the primary sails,
• understanding a line of weakness on a localized area, for example at one of the articulation zones, in order to control and confine the tear zone, when an opening is forced, in order to clearly visualize this opening,
• comprising a pair of complementary elements to the right of the articulation zones of the secondary sails, and additional stages of complementary elements, carried by the primary sails respectively on either side of the articulation zones,
• comprise additional stages of complementary elements which comprise at least one bead,
• comprise additional stages of complementary elements which comprise at least one pair of elements of the male / female type or of the hook type or of the velvet / hook type,
• to understand asymmetrical complementary elements,
• comprising an inner branch of a female closure member which is thicker and more rigid than its outer member,
• to come from material on the walls of a bag,
• to be attached to the walls of a bag,
• be equipped with a veil forming an opening witness,
• comprise an opening control film or film which initially connects the free edges of the inner sections of the primary webs,
• comprising a film or sail forming an opening witness and sealing reinforcement initially connecting the free edges of the outer sections of the primary webs,
• comprise an opening control veil which comprises a point of weakness, preferably in its median part, for example in the form of a zone of lesser thickness or of a zone of a more fragile material, in order to locate the rupture line preferential of this veil,
• comprise additional closure elements, an additional articulated hinged veil which carries one of the additional closure elements, said additional veil being itself connected to one of the primary webs, at a non-superimposed zone to the corresponding additional closing element which extends beyond this additional closure element so that when the additional complementary closure elements engage, the end of the hinged veil bears against a facing structure, for example the opposite primary veil,
• be made integrally by extrusion, of thermoplastic material, for example based on polyethylene or polypropylene,
• include complementary closure elements which are of the male / female type with complementary shapes, of the complementary hook type or of the complementary arrow head type,
• comprise one of the primary sails which carries at least two elements at the head of the arrow adapted to receive between them a complementary element carried by the other sail,
• comprising primary webs each carrying a plurality of complementary elements capable of coming into engagement,
• to understand three levels of complementary elements and 100c, 200c) on the primary sails,
• to understand complementary elements carried by the primary sails which are variegated,
• comprising a first level of complementary elements to the right of the articulation zones of the secondary webs and two additional levels of complementary elements of the hook type, on the inside of the bag with respect to the first level of complementary elements mentioned above,
• comprise sails each carrying three elements at the head of arrow intended to interlock with the complementary elements carried by the opposite web,
• to understand primary sails and the complementary elements carried by them which are symmetrical,
• be formed of two symmetrical subsets,
• understand that the primary webs carry at least one sealing bead,
• have two primary webs each carrying three elements at the head of the boom intended to interlock with the complementary elements carried by the opposite sail, outward extensions of the primary sails in the form of sections and secondary sails articulated on the primary sails at the joints, the outer sections of the primary webs being located generally in the extension of the secondary webs, the primary webs being thus connected to the outer sections via respective recesses at least semi rigid, directed outwards from the primary sails, and the secondary sails being provided with a thin zone forming the articulation, close to the recesses,
• have two primary webs each carrying three elements at the head of the boom intended to interlock with the complementary elements carried by the opposite sail, outward extensions of the primary sails in the form of sections and secondary sails articulated on the primary sails at the joints, the outer sections of the primary webs being located generally in the extension of the primary webs and being connected at least semi rigidly thereto, the secondary webs being connected to the primary webs by means of respective soft recesses directed outwards from the primary webs and the recesses being formed of thin areas forming the joint,
• comprise primary sails which extend on both sides of the articulation zone, additional secondary sails and auxiliary sails flexibly articulated on the primary sails, the secondary sails and the additional auxiliary sails being respectively substantially aligned a pair of complementary elements to the right of the articulation zones of the secondary webs, additional stages of complementary elements, respectively on either side of the articulation zones, the articulation zones being formed of recesses directed towards the outside from the primary sails,
• include one of the primary webs which is extended on its inner end by a return, adapted to overlap the inner free edge of the opposite primary web and thus enhance the sealing of the assembly, in the closed position.

The present invention also relates to sachets equipped with a closure assembly of the aforementioned type.

• la figure 1 annexée précédemment décrite représente schématiquement un dispositif de fermeture ou une embouchure de sachet conforme à l'état de la technique,
• les figures 2, 3, 4 et 5 annexées précédemment décrites représentent schématiquement des dispositifs de fermeture ou des embouchures de sachets conformes à des variantes de réalisation connues de l'état de la technique, notamment des documents US 3,347,298 , US 4,430,070 et US 4,817,188 ,
• la figure 6 représente une vue partielle en coupe d'un dispositif de fermeture destiné à équiper l'embouchure d'un sachet, conforme à un premier mode de réalisation de la présente invention,
• les figures 7 et 8 représentent respectivement les sollicitations exercées sur un tel ensemble de fermeture lors d'une tentative d'ouverture de l'extérieur d'une part et sous l'effet de la pression interne au sachet d'autre part,
• la figure 9 représente une variante de réalisation d'un ensemble de fermeture conforme à la présente invention possédant des éléments complémentaires dissymétriques,
• les figures 10, 11 et 12 représentent trois autres variantes de réalisation d'un ensemble de fermeture conforme à la présente invention,
• les figures 13 et 14 représentent respectivement un ensemble de fermeture conforme à la présente invention venu de matière sur les parois d'un sac et un ensemble de fermeture conforme à la présente invention rapporté sur les parois d'un sac,
• les figures 15 et 16 représentent deux variantes de réalisation d'un ensemble de fermeture conforme à la présente invention muni d'un témoin d'ouverture,
• les figures 17 et 18 représentent deux variantes de réalisation d'un ensemble de fermeture conforme à la présente invention équipé d'un curseur d'actionnement,
• les figures 19 et 20 représentent deux variantes de réalisation conformes à la présente invention d'un dispositif de fermeture conçu pour permettre une ouverture difficile, tant sous la pression interne du sachet, qu'à partir de l'extérieur du sachet,
• la figure 21 représente une variante de réalisation d'un ensemble de fermeture conforme à l'invention comprenant des stries sur des voiles support,
• la figure 22 représente une variante de réalisation d'un ensemble de fermeture conforme à l'invention comprenant un voile articulé additionnel d'étanchéité,
• la figure 23 représente une vue en coupe d'un mode de réalisation particulier d'un ensemble de fermeture conforme dans son principe aux figures 6 et 10,
• la figure 24 représente une variante de réalisation de la figure 23,
• la figure 25 représente une vue en coupe d'un mode de réalisation particulier d'un ensemble de fermeture conforme dans son principe à la figure 20, et
• les figures 26 et 27 représentent deux variantes de réalisation d'ensembles de fermeture conformes à la présente invention comportant des moyens d'étanchéité additionnels.

Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, and with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples and in which:

• the figure 1 annexed previously described schematically represents a closure device or a bag mouth according to the state of the art,
• the Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 attached previously described schematically represent closure devices or mouths of bags according to known embodiments of the state of the art, including documents US 3,347,298 , US 4,430,070 and US 4,817,188 ,
• the figure 6 is a partial sectional view of a closure device for equipping the mouth of a bag, according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
• the Figures 7 and 8 respectively represent the stresses exerted on such a closure assembly during an attempt to open the outside on the one hand and under the effect of the pressure inside the bag on the other hand,
• the figure 9 represents an alternative embodiment of a closure assembly according to the present invention having asymmetrical complementary elements,
• the Figures 10, 11 and 12 represent three other variants of a closure assembly according to the present invention,
• the Figures 13 and 14 respectively represent a closure assembly according to the present invention integrally on the walls of a bag and a closure assembly according to the present invention attached to the walls of a bag,
• the Figures 15 and 16 represent two variants of a closure assembly according to the present invention provided with an opening control,
• the Figures 17 and 18 represent two variants of a closure assembly according to the present invention equipped with an actuating slider,
• the Figures 19 and 20 represent two alternative embodiments according to the present invention of a closure device designed to allow a difficult opening, both under the internal pressure of the bag, and from outside the bag,
• the figure 21 represents an alternative embodiment of a closure assembly according to the invention comprising streaks on support webs,
• the figure 22 represents an alternative embodiment of a closure assembly according to the invention comprising an additional hinged sealing sail,
• the figure 23 represents a sectional view of a particular embodiment of a closure assembly which in principle conforms to figures 6 and 10 ,
• the figure 24 represents an alternative embodiment of the figure 23 ,
• the figure 25 represents a sectional view of a particular embodiment of a closure assembly which in principle conforms to the figure 20 , and
• the Figures 26 and 27 represent two embodiments of closure assemblies according to the present invention having additional sealing means.

The closure assembly according to the present invention is made integrally by extrusion, thermoplastic material, for example based on polyethylene or polypropylene.

We have shown on the figure 6 attached, a closure assembly according to the present invention comprising two complementary elements 100a, 200a carried by primary webs 160, 260. The respective binding areas of the complementary elements 100a, 200a on the primary webs 160, 260, are referenced 102 and 202. According to the non-limitative embodiment of the figure 6 the complementary elements 100, 200 are formed of male / female elements with complementary shapes. In their general structure, such complementary male / female elements are well known to those skilled in the art. They will not be described in more detail later.

It will be noted in the examination of figure 6 annexed, that according to the invention the closure assembly further comprises sails secondary 170, 270 intended to be linked to the main walls of the bag. The secondary webs 170, 270 are connected to the primary webs 160, 260 at respective flexible joints 172, 272 located at the right of the connecting zones 102, 202 of the closure elements 100a, 200a on the primary webs 160, 260. means "located to the right of the connecting zones 102, 202", the fact that the joints 172, 272 of the secondary webs 170, 270 are placed opposite said connecting zones 102, 202, and not above or below them.

According to the embodiment illustrated on the figure 6 , the primary webs 160, 260 extend on either side of the connecting zones 102 and 202. The section of the primary webs 160, 260 which extends towards the interior of the bag is referenced 162, 262. The section primary webs 160, 260 extending outwardly of the bag is referenced 164, 264.

As will be explained later, to allow easy opening of this assembly, from the outside, the intrinsic rigidity of the outer sections 164, 264 of the primary webs and the rigidity of the connection existing between these external sections 164, 264 of the primary webs and the closing elements 100a, 200a, are greater than the stiffness of the hinge link 172, 272 defined between the secondary webs 170, 270 is the primary webs 160, 260.

Thus the outer sections 164, 264 of the primary webs 160, 260 constitute auxiliary sails opening respectively connected at least semi-rigidly to the primary webs 160, 260 allowing easy opening of the bag from outside the latter.

More precisely still, as we see on the figure 6 appended, each of the webs 160, 260 primary carries a plurality of complementary elements 100, 200 may come into engagement. According to the embodiment of the figure 6 it is thus provided three levels of complementary elements 100a, 200a, 100b, 200b and 100c, 200c. This number is however not limiting.

Moreover, we can see on the figure 6 that the complementary elements carried by the primary webs 160, 260 are variegated, in that they comprise a first level of complementary element 100a, 200a of the male / female type to the right of the articulation zones 172, 272 of the secondary sails 170, 270, and two additional levels of complementary elements 100b, 200b and 100c, 200c of the hook type, on the inside of the bag relative to the first level of said complementary elements 100a, 200a.

In addition to providing several levels of complementary elements to reinforce the closing of the bag, the skilled person will understand that the use of complementary levels of additional elements 100b, 200b, 100c, 200c on the inside complementary elements 100a, 200a located at the right articulation areas 172, 272, limits the risk of opening the first level of complementary elements 100a, 200a under the internal pressure, by lever arm.

We illustrated on the figure 7 the stresses applied to such a closure assembly during an attempt to open from the outside of a bag.

As we see on the figure 7 when the upper portions 164, 264 of the primary webs 160, 260, opposite to the internal volume of the bag, are biased apart, pivoting P is applied to the primary webs 160, 260 and to the complementary elements 100, 200, tending to to discard the complementary elements 100, 200 and consequently to disengage them.

Those skilled in the art will indeed appreciate the comparative examination of Figures 6 and 7 that especially when a bias is applied on the upper part 164, 264 of the primary webs 160, 260, as illustrated on the figure 7 , the cumulative length between the attachment points 102, 202 of the complementary elements 100, 200 on the primary webs 160, 260, passing along the median of the complementary elements 100, 200, is greater than the same distance in the state of commitment illustrated on the figure 6 .

The disengagement of the complementary elements 100, 200 illustrated on the figure 7 is also due to the relative positioning change of the complementary elements 100, 200 resulting from the solicitation.

On the contrary, we have illustrated figure 8 , the bias applied to the closure assembly under the effect of the internal pressure of the bag.

As we see on the figure 8 thanks to the flexible articulation 172, 272 of the secondary webs 170, 270 on the primary webs 160, 260, the pressure inside the bag leads to a transverse traction T on the primary webs 160, 260 perpendicular to the average plane of these this. This traction tends, on the contrary, to reinforce the engagement of the complementary elements 100 and 200.

Thus, one skilled in the art understands the comparative examination of Figures 6, 7 and 8 that the closure assembly according to the present invention leads to easy opening when a bias is operated from the outside as illustrated on the figure 7 and on the contrary to strengthen the engagement and the closure under the effect of the internal pressure as illustrated on the figure 8 .

As illustrated on the figure 9 if necessary, at least one of the closure means 100, 200 may be asymmetrical in order to facilitate the deformation and separation of the closure elements when a bias is operated from the outside and, on the contrary, to maintain or even strengthen, the commitment of the elements 100 and 200 under the effect of the pressure inside the bag.

More precisely according to the embodiment illustrated on the figure 9 , the inner branch 204 of the closing female member 200 is thicker and more rigid than its outer member 206. Of course other variations of asymmetry can be envisaged, including an asymmetry of each of the two elements 100 and 200.

We have shown on the figure 10 an alternative embodiment according to which the different levels of complementary elements are all formed of elements at the top of the boom comprising a foot 110, 210 and a flared tip 112, 212 V convex to the primary web 160, 260 opposite.

More precisely according to the non-limiting embodiment of the figure 10 each sail 160, 260 carries three elements at the head of the arrow intended to interlock with the complementary elements carried by the opposite web. The webs 160, 260 and the complementary elements carried by them are therefore generally symmetrical.

We have shown on the figure 11 , an alternative embodiment in which the additional levels of complementary elements are replaced by two beads 120, 220 respectively carried by the inner end of the primary webs 160, 260. Such beads 120, 220, maintaining a spacing between the sails support 160 and 260, limit the risk of opening of the complementary elements 100, 200 by lever effect under the effect of the internal pressure. It also reinforces the sealing of the closure assembly by mutual support.

The figure 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the two beads 120, 220 are replaced by a single bead 130 carried by the inner end of the primary web 160.

We have shown on the figure 13 , an alternative embodiment bag or bag according to which a closure assembly according to the invention is integral on the main walls 10, 20 of the bag. We can see on the figure 13 two main films 10, 20 component conventionally in a packet. The particular conditions of realization of such a bag, in its general structure, will not be described in detail later.

The walls 10, 20 of the bag can be the subject of many embodiments. It is preferably, as for the closure assembly according to the present invention, walls of thermoplastic material, for example based on polyethylene or polypropylene.

These walls can be single or multilayer and mono or multi-material. If necessary, it may be a paper support coated with a layer of thermoplastic material, or a metallized thermoplastic layer.

The bag can be made using a single sheet folded on itself and welded on three sides or several sheets, for example two sheets welded together at their edge, preferably along edges connecting the walls. main.

We have shown on the figure 14 annexed, an alternative embodiment according to which the bag is made by adding and welding or gluing a closure assembly according to the invention on films 10, 20. On the figure 14 , the welding zones of the closure assembly on the films 10, 20 are referenced 12, 22.

Of course, the realization of bags as illustrated on the Figures 13 and 14 , whether with a closure set came from material on the films 10, 20 as illustrated on the figure 13 or a closure assembly attached to the films 10, 20 as illustrated in the figure 14 applies to all embodiments of closure assembly according to the present invention.

We have shown on the figure 15 , an alternative embodiment according to which there is provided a sail or film 140 forming an opening witness which initially connects the free edges of the inner sections 162, 262 of the primary webs 160, 260. Those skilled in the art will understand that such veil 140 must be broken at the first use, that is to say when the first opening of the bag. The rupture of the film 140 makes it possible to visualize this first opening.

The film 140 also makes it possible to reinforce the tightness of the bag.

If appropriate, the web 140 may comprise a point of weakness 142, preferably in its median part, for example in the form of a zone of lesser thickness or of a zone of a more fragile material, in order to locate the preferential line of rupture. of this veil 140.

We have shown on the figure 16 , another variant embodiment of a closure assembly according to the present invention comprising a film or sail 144 forming an opening witness and sealing reinforcement initially connecting the free edges of the outer sections 164, 264 of the primary webs 160, 260 The operation of such a sail witness 144 remains equivalent to that of the veil 140 represented on the figure 15 . If necessary, the web 144 may also include a zone of weakness 146 comparable to that 142 of the web 140.

We have shown on the figure 17 , an alternative embodiment of a closure assembly according to the present invention comprising an actuating slider 300.

Such a variant applies to all the embodiments according to the present invention.

A slider 300 can in fact be used for all the embodiments of closure assembly proposed in the context of the present invention.

Such a slider 300 is known per se in its general structure. It will not be described in detail later. It will be recalled simply that in general such a slider 300 comprises a sole 302 which carries two side webs 304, 306 and a central wall 308 defining between them two non-parallel channels 310, 312 respectively receiving at least the top of one of the two primary webs 160, 260 closing assemblies or walls 10, 20. Thus in the direction of movement of the slider 300, it solicits the complementary closure elements 100, 200 respectively at the opening and closing.

In a variant, the embodiment represented on the figure 17 may be completed by a film or sail 140 forming an opening control and sealing reinforcement initially connecting the free edges of the inner sections 162, 262 of the primary webs 160, 260, comparable to the figure 15 .

We have shown on the figure 18 , an alternative embodiment of a closure assembly according to the present invention comprising such a slider 300 also covered with a film or veil 148 forming an opening control. The film 148 overlaps the slider 300 and is connected to the primary webs 160, 260 or secondary webs 170, 270, typically at the hinge areas 172, 272. Those skilled in the art will understand that this web 148 must be broken during the first use to allow access to the cursor 300. Preferably the web 148 has for this purpose a line of weakness 149 similar to the lines of weakness 142, 146.

The variant embodiments represented on the Figures 19 and 20 correspond to embodiments of closure devices according to the present invention, adapted to make the opening difficult both under internal stress and external stress, once the device placed in the closed position.

We have shown on the figure 19 , an embodiment variant that differs from that shown in the figure 6 in that the primary webs 160, 260 are interrupted at the hinge areas 172, 272. In other words, according to this variant, there is no provision for auxiliary opening sails164, 264. The Those skilled in the art will readily understand that according to this variant, it is no longer possible to solicit the opening of the assembly from the outside.

We have shown on the figure 20 , an embodiment variant that differs from the figure 10 in that additional auxiliary webs 190, 290 are provided directed towards the outside of the closure assembly. These additional auxiliary sails 190, 290 are also articulated in a flexible manner on the primary webs 160, 260, at the hinge areas 172, 272. Thus, when an opening bias is operated by traction on the auxiliary sails additional 190, 290, is exerted a traction perpendicular to the primary webs 160, 260 comparable to the illustration of the figure 8 , without risk of opening the closing device and the bag.

More precisely according to the figure 20 , the primary webs 160, 260 extend on either side of the articulation zone 172, 272 and the closure assembly comprises secondary sails 170, 270 and additional auxiliary sails 190, 290 all articulated so flexible 172, 272 on the primary sails 160, 260.

It will also be recalled that according to the embodiment illustrated on the figure 20 , not only is there a pair of complementary elements 100, 200 to the right of the hinge areas 172, 272 secondary webs 170, 270, but there are further provided additional stages of such complementary elements 100a, 200a and 100b, 200b, respectively on either side of the articulation areas 172, 272. These additional stages of elements complementary 100a, 200a and 100b, 200b, reinforce the assurance of a difficult opening by avoiding a change in relative position between the primary webs 160, 260 regardless of the origin of the stress, internal or external.

The two embodiments shown on the Figures 19 and 20 lead to an almost impossible opening without deterioration of the closure device, either under the internal pressure of the bag or in the form of an attempt to external opening. Such closure assemblies can be used to equip single-use bags, for example for the storage of valuable products, banking or the like, or any other product, for example all food or household products or the like in a single-use bag .

As a variant, it is possible to provide a line of weakness on a localized area of the closure devices represented on the Figures 19 and 20 , for example at one of the hinge areas 172 or 272, to control and confine the tear zone, when an opening is forced, to clearly view this opening. For this purpose it is possible, for example, to extend at least one of the hinge regions 172, 272 in the form of a rod connecting the outer surface of a primary web 160, 260 and the inner surface of a secondary web 170, 270, and at which said line of weakness is provided.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described, but extends to any variant within its spirit.

In particular, all of the features previously described respectively with respect to a specific one of the figures can be combined with all the features shown in the other figures.

For example, and without limitation, each of the embodiments may comprise complementary elements 100, 200 of any type (in particular of the male / female type, hooks, or the like), be made of material on the films of a bag or reported on these films, whether or not to include a film forming an opening witness to be broken at the first use, whether or not to include an actuating slider.

We have shown on the figure 21 , another embodiment according to the present invention according to which the primary webs 160, 260 are provided with ridges 165, 265 facilitating the gripping and identification of the webs 160, 260. Such an arrangement is known to those skilled in the art. art and will not be described in detail later.

We also represented on the figure 22 annexed another variant embodiment on which we find, as for all the embodiments according to the present invention shown on the Figures 6 to 21 two complementary elements 100, 200 coextruded with primary webs 160, 260 and secondary webs 170, 270 intended to be connected to the walls 10, 20 of the bag and which are connected to the primary webs 160, 260 at the joints 172, 272 located to the right of the connection zones of the closure elements 100, 200 on the primary webs 160, 260. However, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. figure 22 further comprises two additional complementary elements 105, 205 of which at least one, in this case the element 105, is carried by an additional hinged sealing veil 107. This additional sealing veil 107 is itself connected to one of the primary webs 160, 260, in this case the primary web 160, at a zone 108 not superimposed on the corresponding closure element 105. Moreover, the additional hinged veil 107 extends beyond of the closure element 105 so that when the additional complementary closure elements 105, 205 are engaged, the end 109 of the hinged veil 107 bears against a facing structure, in this case the opposite primary veil 260. The foregoing provision is in accordance with the patent application filed by the Applicant December 17, 2008 under the N ° FR 08 58680 . It will not be described in more detail later. This provision which makes it possible to reinforce the tightness of the closing device and the bag, can in itself be the subject of various variant embodiments, as indicated in the application FR 08 58680 .

We have shown on the figure 23 a cross-sectional view of a particular embodiment of a closure assembly which in principle conforms to figures 6 and 10 . We find in fact on the figure 23 an embodiment according to which each primary web 160, 260 carries three elements at the top of the arrow 100, 200 intended to interlock with the complementary elements carried by the opposite web. Expansions to the outside of the primary webs 160, 260 in the form of sections 164, 264 and secondary webs 170, 270 articulated on the primary webs 160, 260, at the joints 172, 272 are also provided.

More precisely according to the embodiment illustrated on the figure 23 , the outer sections 164, 264 of the primary webs 160, 260 are located generally in the extension of the secondary webs 170, 270. The primary webs 160, 260 are thus connected to the outer sections 164, 264 via respective recesses at least semi-rigid 166, 266, directed outwards from the primary webs 160, 260. The secondary webs 170, 270 are themselves provided with a thin region forming the articulation 172, 272, near the recesses. 166, 266. The primary webs 160, 260, the complementary elements 100, 200 carried by them, the secondary webs 170, 270 and the sections 164, 264 are generally symmetrical.

The figure 24 represents an alternative embodiment of the figure 23 which differs from the latter in that according to the figure 24 , the outer sections 164, 264 of the primary webs 160, 260 are located generally in the extension of the primary webs 160, 260 and are connected at least semi rigidly to them. The secondary sails 170, 270 are connected to the primary sails 160, 260 via respective soft recesses 166, 266 directed outwards from the primary webs 160, 260. The recesses 166, 266 are here advantageously formed by thin zones forming the articulation 172, 272. The primary webs 160, 260, the complementary elements 100, 200 carried by them, the secondary webs 170, 270 and the sections 164, 264 are again globally symmetrical.

The figure 25 represents a sectional view of a particular embodiment of a closure assembly which in principle conforms to the figure 10 .

We find in fact on the figure 25 an alternative embodiment in which the primary webs 160, 260 extend on either side of the articulation zone 172, 272 and the closure assembly comprises secondary webs 170, 270 and additional auxiliary webs 190, 290 all flexibly hinged at 172, 272 on the primary webs 160, 260. The secondary webs 170, 270 and the additional auxiliary webs 190, 290 are respectively substantially aligned. In addition, there is provided a pair of complementary elements 100, 200 at the right of the hinge areas 172, 272 of the secondary webs 170, 270, and further stages of such complementary elements 100a, 200a and 100b are provided, 200b, respectively on either side of the articulation zones 172, 272. These additional stages of complementary elements 100a, 200a and 100b, 200b, reinforce the assurance of a difficult opening while avoiding a modification of relative position between the primary sails 160, 260 whatever the origin of the stress, internal or external. The hinge zones 172, 272 are formed of recesses directed outwards from the primary webs 160, 260. Here again the primary webs 160, 260, the complementary elements 100, 200 carried by them, the secondary webs 170, 270 and the additional auxiliary sails 190, 290 are generally symmetrical.

We have shown on Figures 26 and 27 two variants which are different from the embodiments illustrated on the figures 10 and 20 respectively, in that one of the primary webs 260 is extended on its inner end by a return 292, adapted to overlap the inner free edge of the opposite primary web 160 and thus enhance the sealing of the assembly, in the closed position . The return 292 is convex towards the inside of the bag.

It should be noted that several of the embodiments of closure assemblies according to the present invention are formed of two symmetrical subsets (see for example figures 10 , 13 to 16 , 19 to 21 , 23 to 25 ). Such symmetry offers many advantages. It allows for the closure assembly using a unique extrusion die and therefore a low cost. It also allows to achieve the closure assembly by folding on itself a subset. It avoids having to differentiate two distinct subsets, for example respectively comprising male and female closure elements.

It will also be noted that according to the present invention there are several complementary closure elements 100 and 200 on each primary web. This arrangement makes it possible to guarantee the engagement of the two subassemblies even in the event of possible misalignment between the two subassemblies composing the overall closure assembly.

Claims (15)

Closing assembly comprising two complementary elements (100, 200) carried by respective webs, characterized in that said two complementary elements (100, 200) are carried by primary webs (160, 260) coextruded with said two complementary elements ( 100, 200) and that the closure assembly further comprises secondary webs (170, 270) coextruded with said two complementary elements (100, 200), intended to be connected to the walls (10, 20) of the bag and which are connected to the primary webs (160, 260) at respective hinges (172, 272) formed by extrusion and located in line with the connecting zones (102, 202) of a pair of complementary closure elements (100, 200). ) on the primary webs (160, 260) and additional stages of complementary elements (100b, 200b, 100c, 200c), carried by the primary webs (160, 260) at least on one side of the hinge areas ( 172, 272). Closing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said joints (172, 272) are flexible. Closing assembly according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the respective hinges (172, 272) are formed by a shrinkage of material. Closing assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the respective articulations (172, 272) are formed by or near a recess between the primary webs (160, 260) and the secondary webs ( 170, 270). Closing assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that auxiliary opening webs (164, 264) are respectively at least semi-rigidly connected to the primary webs (160, 260). Closing assembly according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the primary webs (160, 260) extend on either side of said connecting regions (102, 202), so that the outer sections (164, 264) of the primary webs (160, 260) constitute auxiliary opening sails respectively connected at least semi-rigidly to the primary webs (160, 260) allowing easy opening of the bag from outside the this one. Closing assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the intrinsic stiffness of the outer sections (164, 264) of the primary webs (160, 260) and the stiffness of the connection (102, 202) existing between these outer sections (164, 264). , 264) of the primary webs and the closing elements (100, 200) are greater than the stiffness of the hinge joint (172, 272) defined between the secondary webs (170, 270) is the primary webs (160, 260) ). Closing assembly according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the primary webs (160, 260) are interrupted at the hinge regions (172, 272) so that the opening is almost impossible. from outside the bag. Closing assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises auxiliary webs (180, 280, 190, 290) directed towards the outside of the closure assembly and flexibly articulated on the primary webs (160, 260) so that the opening is almost impossible from the outside of the bag. Closing assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 4 or 9, characterized in that the primary webs (160, 260) extend on both sides of the articulation zone (172, 272) and closure assembly comprises secondary webs (170, 270) and additional auxiliary webs (190, 290) all of which are flexibly hinged (172, 272) on the primary webs (160, 260). Closing assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a line of weakness on a localized zone, for example at one of the articulation zones (172 or 272), in order to to control and confine the tear zone, when an opening is forced, in order to clearly visualize this opening. Closing assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a pair of complementary elements (100, 200) in line with the articulation zones (172, 272) of the secondary webs (170, 270), and additional stages of complementary elements (100a, 200a, 100b, 200b), carried by the primary webs (160, 260) respectively on either side of the articulation zones (172, 272). Closing assembly according to Claim 12, characterized in that the additional stages of complementary elements (100a, 200a; 100b, 200b) comprise at least one bead (120, 220; 130) or a pair of male-type elements. / female or hook type or velvet type / hooks. Closing assembly according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that each of the primary webs (160, 260) carries a plurality of complementary elements (100, 200) capable of coming into engagement. Bag characterized in that it comprises a closure assembly according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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