US20110235951A1 - Reclosable bag with tear open feature - Google Patents
Reclosable bag with tear open feature Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110235951A1 US20110235951A1 US12/356,667 US35666709A US2011235951A1 US 20110235951 A1 US20110235951 A1 US 20110235951A1 US 35666709 A US35666709 A US 35666709A US 2011235951 A1 US2011235951 A1 US 2011235951A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- seal
- zipper
- reclosable
- front wall
- flange
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
- B29C66/47—Joining single elements to sheets, plates or other substantially flat surfaces
- B29C66/474—Joining single elements to sheets, plates or other substantially flat surfaces said single elements being substantially non-flat
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/05—Filamentary, e.g. strands
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/07—Flat, e.g. panels
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/12—Articles with an irregular circumference when viewed in cross-section, e.g. window profiles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/13—Articles with a cross-section varying in the longitudinal direction, e.g. corrugated pipes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
- B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/74—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area
- B29C65/745—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using a single unit having both a severing tool and a welding tool
- B29C65/7451—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using a single unit having both a severing tool and a welding tool the severing tool and the welding tool being movable with respect to one-another
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
- B29C65/7858—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus characterised by the feeding movement of the parts to be joined
- B29C65/7888—Means for handling of moving sheets or webs
- B29C65/7891—Means for handling of moving sheets or webs of discontinuously moving sheets or webs
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
- B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
- B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
- B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
- B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
- B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
- B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
- B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
- B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
- B29C66/133—Fin-type joints, the parts to be joined being flexible
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
- B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
- B29C66/20—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines
- B29C66/22—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being in the form of recurring patterns
- B29C66/221—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being in the form of recurring patterns being in the form of a sinusoidal wave
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
- B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
- B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
- B29C66/431—Joining the articles to themselves
- B29C66/4312—Joining the articles to themselves for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
- B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
- B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
- B29C66/432—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms
- B29C66/4322—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms by joining a single sheet to itself
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
- B29C66/81427—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined comprising a single ridge, e.g. for making a weakening line; comprising a single tooth
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
- B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
- B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
- B29C66/83221—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis cooperating reciprocating tools, each tool reciprocating along one axis
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
- B29C66/849—Packaging machines
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
- B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
- B65B51/26—Devices specially adapted for producing transverse or longitudinal seams in webs or tubes
- B65B51/30—Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes
- B65B51/303—Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes reciprocating along only one axis
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/04—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages
- B65B61/06—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages by cutting
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
- B65B61/188—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements by applying or incorporating profile-strips, e.g. for reclosable bags
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
- B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
- B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
- B65B9/213—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles the web having intermittent motion
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/07—Flat, e.g. panels
- B29C48/08—Flat, e.g. panels flexible, e.g. films
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C48/30—Extrusion nozzles or dies
- B29C48/304—Extrusion nozzles or dies specially adapted for bringing together components, e.g. melts within the die
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C53/00—Shaping by bending, folding, twisting, straightening or flattening; Apparatus therefor
- B29C53/36—Bending and joining, e.g. for making hollow articles
- B29C53/38—Bending and joining, e.g. for making hollow articles by bending sheets or strips at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the article being formed and joining the edges
- B29C53/48—Bending and joining, e.g. for making hollow articles by bending sheets or strips at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the article being formed and joining the edges for articles of indefinite length, i.e. bending a strip progressively
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
- B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
- B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
- B29C66/435—Making large sheets by joining smaller ones or strips together
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
- B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
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- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
- B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
- B29C66/8351—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws
- B29C66/83541—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws flying jaws, e.g. jaws mounted on crank mechanisms or following a hand over hand movement
- B29C66/83543—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws flying jaws, e.g. jaws mounted on crank mechanisms or following a hand over hand movement cooperating flying jaws
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- B29L2005/00—Elements of slide fasteners
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- B29L2009/00—Layered products
- B29L2009/001—Layered products the layers being loose
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
- B31B70/74—Auxiliary operations
- B31B70/81—Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings
- B31B70/813—Applying closures
- B31B70/8131—Making bags having interengaging closure elements
- B31B70/8133—Applying the closure elements in the cross direction
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B2220/00—Specific aspects of the packaging operation
- B65B2220/08—Creating fin seals as the longitudinal seal on horizontal or vertical form fill seal [FFS] machines
Definitions
- This present invention generally relates to reclosable plastic bags, and a method of their manufacture that is more efficient and economical than conventional methods and devices, and in particular to reclosable bags which can be torn open to access their content.
- the second shortcoming is more serious, and relates to the requirement of opening the package from the front panel thereof. If the package is to be opened from the front panel, a cut or perforation must be made before the fastener is applied. This cut, or perforation, is generally shaped like an “oval” with opening “tabs” for gaining access to the fastener. Since the fastener, most likely, is not closed at the ends of the fastener, the possibility of contamination exists.
- the most expedient and economical way to make the package is to create the cut, or perforation, in one operation, just upstream of the fastener strip application.
- This operation in its simplest form, will leave openings for potential contamination to pass through the cut or perforated front panel opening.
- users of this method add a great deal more cost and complexity to create a sealed, sealable “patch”, or some other means of eliminating this contamination risk.
- the same problem occurs, if the package must be hermetically sealed.
- a reclosable bag described herein overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a reclosable back-seam bag that provides a hermetic seal by sealing a bag body with a top seal, a bottom seal, a back seam seal, and a plurality of seals sealing a reclosable fastener with flanges to a front wall and, in some cases, to a back wall of the bag body.
- a reclosable bag can be configured as a side-seam bag having one web of film folded along a longitudinal fold to form two half webs of film, and having top edges of each of the two half webs of film sealed together to form a side seam.
- the reclosable bag is configured as having two webs of film that are sealed together along respective edges of the two webs of film to form four side seams, each of the two webs of film having an inside surface, and the back wall having two sides, each side being defined between each of the four side seams and a respective one of the two webs of film.
- the reclosable bag includes a reclosable fastener assembly that includes two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip and a second continuous elongated profile strip.
- the first continuous elongated profile strip and the second continuous elongated profile strip provide a seal upon interconnection thereof.
- a seal is provided at each end of the reclosable fastener assembly.
- the reclosable bag is further provided with a first continuous elongated profile strip that has a front wall connecting flange and a gripping flange. Both the front wall connecting flange and the gripping flange have a width greater than a width of the first continuous elongated profile strip to assist in positioning and sealing of the reclosable fastener to web stock.
- the front wall-connecting flange is sealed to the front wall of the bag.
- a frangible access that is substantially parallel to the reclosable fastener assembly may be provided through the front wall of the bag by means of one or more score lines. Upon opening, the frangible access exposes the reclosable fastener assembly.
- the frangible access may be disposed on the front wall or the back wall of the bag body adjacent the reclosable fastener assembly and above the bottom seal.
- a reclosable back-seam bag includes a gripping flange that includes a continuous rib disposed at a distal end of the gripping flange and/or a plurality of continuous, substantially parallel ribs disposed on the gripping flange.
- the ribs and the gripping flange provide a user with ease of opening of the reclosable fastener once the frangible access has been opened.
- a method of making a reclosable back-seam bag includes the steps of providing a rectangular sheet of polymeric material having an inside surface. A predetermined length of a reclosable fastener including two ends, and a first continuous elongated profile strip interlocked with a second continuous elongated profile strip is provided, and a front wall connecting flange of the reclosable fastener is connected to the inside surface of the rectangular sheet.
- the method includes the step of forming a bag body having a front wall and a back wall.
- the back wall is formed by folding the rectangular sheet of film along two longitudinal folds, and overlapping and sealing edges of the rectangular sheet.
- the method further includes joining the front wall to the back wall at a bottom seal, and connecting a back wall connecting flange to the inside surface of the rectangular sheet and the back wall of the bag at a back wall connecting seal.
- a frangible access substantially parallel to the reclosable fastener being disposed on the front wall of the bag body adjacent the reclosable fastener and below the back wall connecting seal is provided for exposing the reclosable fastener.
- the method also includes providing a top seal above the frangible access.
- a first continuous elongated profile strip having a male interlocking profile includes at least one male interlocking member.
- a second continuous elongated profile strip having a female interlocking profile that includes at least one female interlocking member.
- the first continuous elongated profile strip can be releasably connected to the second continuous elongated profile strip by engaging the male interlocking member with the female interlocking member.
- the male interlocking member is provided in an open disengaged position in the bag when the bag is sealed.
- the bag may be easily opened by pinching the front and back walls of the bag and separating the walls until the top seal is ruptured or peeled open.
- the open configuration of the fasteners facilitates such opening. Subsequently, easy access is permitted from either the top of the bag, or from rupturing the frangible access portion located above the bottom seal, and then, separating the fastener profile.
- FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a front plan view of a reclosable bag
- FIG. 2 is an embodiment of a back plan view of the reclosable bag
- FIG. 3 is an embodiment of a side cross sectional view of the reclosable bag of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a side cross sectional view of the reclosable bag through a side seal of the bag;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rectangular sheet of film having a plurality of reclosable fastener assemblies thereon prior to a form, fill and seal operation;
- FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the reclosable bag having the reclosable fastener assembly include a first continuous elongated profile strip
- FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the reclosable bag having the reclosable fastener assembly include a second continuous elongated profile strip
- FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate another embodiment of the reclosable bag in which the reclosable fastener assembly may include two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall connecting flange and a second continuous elongated profile strip having a back wall connecting flange, the flanges respectively extending upward, downward or both on the walls of the bag;
- FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of reclosable fastener assemblies that each include a male part and a female part
- FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the reclosable bag having a frangible access portion to access the contents of the reclosable bag
- FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a two-flanged reclosable bag
- FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a three-flanged reclosable bag
- FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a four-flanged reclosable bag having tack-down seals
- FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a four-flanged reclosable bag having peelable adhesives or co-extruded beads
- FIGS. 15A-15C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a four-flanged reclosable bag having a frangible membrane that at least a pair of the four flanges.
- FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of a side view of a four-flanged reclosable bag in which the male interlocking member is provided in an open disengaged position when the top seal of the bag remains sealed.
- FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary machine that can be used to manufacture a reclosable back-seam bag.
- FIGS. 18A-18C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a four-flanged reclosable bag having a flange overlap configured with overlap seals.
- FIG. 1 is a front plan view of reclosable back-seam bag 100 .
- Reclosable back-seam bag 100 includes a bag body 102 .
- Bag body 102 ( FIGS. 1-4 ) can include a top seal 104 and a bottom seal 106 , and a front wall 108 and a back wall 110 .
- Front wall 108 ( FIGS. 1 , 3 and 4 ) may be joined to the back wall 110 at the top seal 104 and the bottom seal 106 ( FIGS. 1-4 ). It is appreciated that bag body 102 can be formed on conventional form fill and seal machines known in the art.
- a reclosable bag can be configured as a side-seam bag having one web of film folded along a longitudinal fold to form two half webs of film, and having top edges of each of the two half webs of film sealed together to form a side seam.
- the reclosable bag is configured as having two webs of film that are sealed together along respective edges of the two webs of film to form four side seams, each of the two webs of film having an inside surface, and the back wall having two sides, each side being defined between each of the four side seams and a respective one of the two webs of film.
- Bag 100 includes reclosable fastener assembly 130 ( FIGS. 1-3 ).
- Reclosable fastener assembly 130 includes two ends 132 , 134 . Between ends 132 , 134 , a first continuous elongated profile strip 136 may be releasably interlocked with a second continuous elongated profile strip 138 . It is appreciated that first continuous elongated profile 136 and the second continuous elongated profile 138 have protruding male and female members (not shown) which when interlocked provide an airtight and watertight seal.
- seals described herein can be made by a variety of devices including heat sealers, ultrasonic sealers, and other devices known in the art.
- the seals also may be made with an adhesive.
- a continuous airtight and/or watertight lower seal 146 is disposed along the length L of the reclosable fastener assembly 130 and may be positioned below the profile strips 136 , 138 . It is appreciated that seal 146 is placed such that seal 146 connects the reclosable fastener assembly 130 to the front wall 108 prior to rectangular sheet of film 112 being formed into a tubular structure precursor of bag body 102 . That is, seal 146 may connect reclosable fastener assembly 130 to rectangular sheet of film 112 while the sheet of film is still in a substantially flat state ( FIG. 5 ).
- a continuous airtight and/or watertight upper seal 148 along the length L of the reclosable fastener assembly is positioned above the profile strips 136 , 138 .
- the upper seal 148 connects the reclosable fastener to back wall 110 .
- Upper seal 148 may be made after the bag body 102 is substantially complete, e.g. after the bag body 102 has been substantially completed on a form fill and seal machine. This may be accomplished by sealing jaws on the form fill and seal machine.
- reclosable back-seam bag 100 may include a first continuous elongated profile strip 136 that has a front wall connecting flange 140 and a gripping flange 142 ( FIG. 3 ). Both the front wall connecting flange 140 and the gripping flange 142 may have widths W′, W′′′′′ greater than a width W′′ of the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 . It is appreciated that by providing flanges 140 , 144 , the problems associated with sealing an irregularly shaped surface, e.g. a zipper profile, to a smooth surface are eliminated. The flange 140 and flange 144 provide a substantially smooth, planar and uniform surface to which to seal the inside surface 124 of rectangular sheet of film 112 thereto.
- front wall connecting flange 140 can be sealed to front wall 108 at inside surface 124 ′.
- second continuous elongated profile strip 138 has a back wall-connecting flange 144 .
- the back wall connecting flange 144 has a width W′′′ greater than a width W′′ of the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 , and in a variant a width greater than gripping flange 142 .
- Back wall connecting flange 140 is sealed to back wall 110 at back wall connecting seal 148 .
- the length L of the reclosable fastener assembly 130 is preferably configured to be less than the width W of back wall 110 ( FIG. 2 ).
- reclosable back seam bag 100 includes a frangible access 154 ( FIGS. 1-4 ).
- Access 154 can take many forms including a score line or a plurality of perforations. Access 154 can be substantially parallel to the reclosable fastener assembly 130 . Removal of access 154 exposes the releasable fastener assembly 130 and provides access to the gripping flange 142 , and profile strips 136 , 138 .
- the frangible access 154 may be disposed both on the front wall 108 and on the back wall 110 of the bag body 102 adjacent the reclosable fastener assembly 130 and above the upper seal 148 ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ).
- frangible access 154 may include a plurality of perforations 156 ( FIGS. 1 , 3 and 4 ).
- Back wall 110 of bag body 102 may be formed from rectangular sheet of film 112 ( FIG. 5 ) on a conventional form, fill and seal machine.
- the form fill and seal machine can be a vertical form, fill and seal machine.
- Film 112 can be made from any suitable material but is preferably made from a polymeric material.
- Film 112 can be folded along two longitudinal folds 114 , 116 , as the film passes through the form fill and seal machine.
- the vertical edges 118 , 120 ( FIG. 1 ) are overlapped and sealed as is conventional to form back seam 122 .
- Back wall 110 has two sides 126 , 128 ( FIG. 2 ). Each side 126 , 128 is defined between back seam 122 and a respective one of the longitudinal folds 114 , 116 .
- the back wall 110 can be formed from one web of film folded along a longitudinal fold to form two half webs of film. The top edges of each of the two half webs of film can then be sealed together to form a side seam.
- the back wall 110 has two sides, each side being defined between the side seam and a respective one of the longitudinal folds.
- the front wall connecting flange 146 may be connected to the inside surface of one web of film and the front wall 108 of the bag body 102 at a front wall seal 146 .
- the front wall seal 146 may be substantially parallel to the top seal 104 and spaced between the bottom seal 106 and the profile strips 136 , 138 .
- the back wall connecting flange 144 can be connected to the inside surface of the one web of film and the back wall at a back wall connecting seal such that the back wall connecting seal is spaced between the profile strips and the top seal 104 .
- a side seal can be disposed at each end of the reclosable fastener such that the side seal connects an end of the reclosable fastener to the inside surface of the one web of film inwardly of the longitudinal folds of the bag body to thereby prevent air or liquids from entering or leaving the bag through the ends of the reclosable fastener.
- the back wall 110 can be formed from two webs of film that are sealed together along respective edges of the two webs of film to form four side seams. Each of the two webs of film has an inside surface.
- the back wall 110 has two sides, each side being defined between each of the four side seams and a respective one of the two webs of film.
- the front wall connecting flange 146 may be being connected to said inside surface of each of the two webs of film and the front wall 108 of the bag body 102 at a front wall seal 146 .
- the front wall seal 146 may be substantially parallel to the top seal 104 and spaced between the bottom seal 106 and the profile strips 136 , 138 .
- the back wall connecting flange 144 can be connected to the inside surface of each of the two webs of film and the back wall at a back wall connecting seal, such that the back wall connecting seal is spaced between the profile strips and the top seal 104 .
- a side seal can be disposed at each end of the reclosable fastener such that the side seal connects an end of the reclosable fastener to the inside surface of each of the two webs of film inwardly of the bag body thereby preventing air or liquids from entering or leaving the bag through the ends of the reclosable fastener.
- Reclosable fastener 130 includes two ends 132 , 134 , a first continuous elongated profile strip 136 and a second continuous elongated profile strip 138 .
- the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 may be releasably connected to the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 .
- Strip 136 is matable to strip 138 , and either strip 136 or strip 138 can be complementary male and female strips as required. More of the features of strips 136 and 138 are described later below.
- first continuous elongated profile strip 136 can be configured with a front wall connecting flange 140 and a gripping flange 142 .
- Front wall connecting flange 140 may be heat sealed or ultrasonically sealed to rectangular sheet of film 112 while film 112 can be in a substantially flat state ( FIG. 5 ).
- the sealing of front wall connecting flange 146 to film 112 occurs prior to the formation of a tube (not shown) from film 112 on a conventional form fill and seal machine. It is further appreciated that strips 136 , 138 are interlocked at the time flange 146 is sealed to film 112 ( FIG. 5 ).
- front wall connecting flange 146 is connected to the inside surface 124 of the rectangular sheet of film 112 and the front wall 108 of the bag body 102 at a front wall seal 146 .
- Front wall seal 146 may be substantially parallel to top seal 104 and spaced between the bottom seal 106 and the profile strips 136 , 138 .
- Both front wall connecting flange 140 and gripping flange 142 have widths W′′′′, W′′′′ greater than a width W′′ of the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 .
- Second continuous elongated profile strip 138 may include a back wall-connecting flange 144 .
- width W′ of gripping flange 142 is about 0.8 centimeters
- width W′′ of strip 136 is about 0.3 centimeters.
- Back wall connecting flange 144 has a width W′′′ greater than a width W′′ of second continuous elongated profile strip 138 .
- Width W′′′ of flange 144 is about 1.7 centimeters in a embodiment, and W′′ is about 0.3 centimeters.
- Gripping flange 142 may allow for a user to easily open the interlocked strips 136 , 138 , by grasping flange 142 and back wall connecting flange 144 and separating the flanges 142 , 144 .
- Width W′′′′ of the gripping flange 142 may be substantially less than width W′′′ of the back wall connecting flange 144 . It is appreciated that the use of these widths facilitates the placement of back wall connecting seal 148 such that the gripping flange 142 does not interfere with the sealing process.
- the length L of the reclosable fastener 130 is less than the combined lengths of the two sides 126 , 128 that form the back panel of bag body 102 . In an embodiment, length L is about 21.5 centimeters.
- Back wall connecting flange 144 can be connected to the inside surface 124 of the rectangular sheet of film 112 and the back wall 110 at a back wall connecting seal 148 .
- Back wall connecting seal 148 may be spaced between profile strips 136 , 138 , and the top seal 104 .
- bag 100 has the various seals placed as follows: Top seal 104 is disposed approximately 3 millimeters from the top of bag 100 ; Frangible access 154 is disposed about 4 millimeters below top seal 104 ; Back wall connecting seal 148 is disposed about 5 millimeters below frangible access 154 ; Profiles 136 , 138 are disposed about 1.3 centimeters below back wall connecting seal 148 ; Front wall connecting flange 140 is disposed about 7 millimeters below profiles 136 , 138 ; and, Bottom seal 106 is disposed about 30 centimeters below front wall connecting flange 140 .
- Side seals 150 , 152 are placed at each end of the reclosable fastener assembly 130 .
- Side seals 150 , 152 provide an airtight and/or watertight seal between the inside surface 124 of film 112 and reclosable fastener assembly 130 .
- the ends 132 , 134 of reclosable fastener 130 can be splotched. Splotching of reclosable fastener ends 132 , 134 creates substantially flattened ends 162 , 164 which facilitate the formation of the airtight and/or watertight seals of the invention.
- a frangible access 154 can be cut between back wall connecting seal 148 and top seal 104 with a standard perforating die, and the like, access 154 is substantially parallel to the reclosable fastener 130 and exposes reclosable fastener 130 to a user.
- Frangible access 154 may be disposed on the front wall 108 and on the back wall 110 of the bag body 102 adjacent reclosable fastener 130 and above back wall connecting seal 148 . It is appreciated that upon opening of frangible access 154 , both front wall 108 and back wall 110 of bag 100 are severed.
- frangible access 154 may comprise a plurality of perforations 156 .
- first continuous elongated profile strip 136 and the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 each have respective back portions 158 , 160 thereof ( FIG. 3 ).
- first continuous elongated profile strip back portion 158 can move in relation to the inside surface 124 ′ of the rectangular sheet of film 112 .
- second continuous elongated profile strip back portion 160 can move in relation to the inside surface 124 of the rectangular sheet of film 112 .
- Gripping flange 142 may include a continuous rib 166 disposed at a distal end 168 of the gripping flange 142 .
- Gripping flange 142 can also include a plurality of continuous, substantially parallel ribs 170 disposed on the gripping flange 142 .
- Reclosable fastener assembly 130 can be manufactured in different forms.
- gripping flange 142 and front wall connecting flange 140 can be made from a single, extruded, flexible polymeric material. That is, gripping flange 142 and connecting flange 140 and profile strip 136 are extruded and form a continuous member.
- second continuous profile strip 138 and the back wall-connecting flange 144 may be formed from an extruded, flexible polymeric material, and can be extruded such that they form a single continuous member.
- Back wall connecting flange 144 and front wall connecting flange 140 can be of a sufficient thickness to seal to the respective walls that they connect to, yet of a sufficient thickness not to seal to the inside surface 124 of walls 108 , 110 that they are not to seal to when a predetermined amount of heat, pressure and dwell time are applied.
- a sufficient thickness is empirically determined depending on the type of film 112 used and the type of polymeric material used for profile strips 136 , 138 , and flanges 140 , 144 .
- gripping flange 142 and the bag wall-connecting flange are made from a single web.
- First continuous profile strip 136 may be sealed to the web with an airtight and/or watertight seal (not shown).
- strip 138 can be sealed to a second web.
- a method of making a reclosable back-seam bag 100 is also provided herein.
- a rectangular sheet of polymeric material 112 having an inside surface 124 is provided in a substantially flat state ( FIG. 5 ).
- a predetermined length L of a reclosable fastener 130 including two ends 132 , 134 , a first continuous elongated profile strip 136 and a second continuous elongated profile strip 138 is cut from a longer length (e.g., a continuous roll of interlocked fastener assemblies).
- First continuous elongated profile strip 136 is releasably connected to second continuous elongated profile strip 138 .
- ends 132 and 134 are splotched so that they are substantially flattened.
- the reclosable fastener 130 may be moved onto film 112 transverse to the length of the film 112 in one embodiment, or longitudinally across the length of the film 112 in another embodiment.
- Front wall connecting flange 140 is sealed with an airtight and/or watertight seal to the inside surface 124 ′ of the rectangular sheet of film 112 such that it is approximately centered thereon in relation to the width of the sheet of film 112 .
- Bag body 102 can be formed on a conventional form, fill, and seal machine. Bag body 102 can be formed into a tube (not shown) such that a front wall 108 and a back wall 110 are formed.
- Back wall 110 is formed by folding the rectangular sheet of film 112 along two longitudinal folds 114 , 116 , and overlapping and sealing edges 118 , 120 of the rectangular sheet of film 112 .
- Back wall 110 has two sides 126 , 128 . Each side 126 , 128 is defined between back seam 122 and a respective one of the longitudinal folds 114 , 116 .
- front wall 108 is joined to the back wall 110 at a bottom seal 106 .
- Bottom seal 106 can be made in conventional heat sealing jaws (not shown).
- Back wall connecting flange 144 may be connected (e.g. by heat sealing) to the inside surface 124 of rectangular sheet 112 at what is now the back wall 110 of bag body 102 at back wall connecting seal 148 .
- the frangible access 154 can be configured substantially parallel to the reclosable fastener 130 for exposing releasable fastener 130 .
- Access 154 is formed with a conventional perforating die, and is disposed on front wall 108 and on back wall 110 of the bag body 102 adjacent the reclosable fastener assembly 130 and above the back wall connecting seal 148 .
- the method then includes providing top seal 104 above the frangible access 154 .
- Rectangular sheet of film 112 may have marks 3 or other machine readable indicia thereon to permit an electric eye or other sensor to read the marks or indicia so that proper registration and alignment of the reclosable fastener 130 is obtained with the bag body.
- Machines commercially available from Z-Patch, Inc. of Carbondale, Ill. are reliable and capable of repeatedly performing the steps referred to in the method described above with high throughput and with low cycle times.
- Reclosable fastener 130 which is generally about 3.5 centimeters wide, in one variant of the invention, is delivered in a cross web, stretched position, assuring squareness for positioning onto rectangular sheet of film 112 . It is appreciated that the width and length of fastener 130 can be such that it accommodates the size of the bag body.
- the front wall seal 146 may be transverse to film 112 .
- FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the reclosable bag having the reclosable fastener assembly 130 include the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 .
- the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 may be flat.
- the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 may also be manufactured from polyethylene.
- the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 may include a first rib 630 , second rib 634 and third rib 638 .
- the first rib 630 , second rib 634 and third rib 638 can be in a location offset from the center of the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 , thereby defining a profile adherence surface 642 between ribs 630 , 634 , 638 and the front wall 108 to which the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 attaches.
- the first rib 630 , second rib 634 and third rib 638 of the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 extend the length, L, of the front wall 108 .
- FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the reclosable bag having the reclosable fastener assembly 130 include the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 .
- the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 may be flat.
- the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 may also be manufactured from polyethylene. Therefore, the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 can be manufactured from the same material and with the same dimensions as the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 .
- the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 may include a first rib 750 , second rib 754 and third rib 758 .
- the first rib 750 , second rib 754 and third rib 758 along an edge of the second profile strip 138 , thereby defining a profile adherence surface 746 between ribs 750 , 754 , 758 and the back wall 110 to which the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 attaches.
- the first rib 750 , second rib 754 and third rib 758 of the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 extend the length, L, of the back wall 110 .
- the ribs 630 , 634 , 638 associated with the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 can interlock with the ribs 750 , 754 , 758 associated with the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 , causing the reclosable back-seam bag 100 to close.
- the reclosable back-seam bag 100 ( FIGS. 1-3 ) can be then be opened by grasping the gripping flange 142 and back wall connecting flange 144 , and then applying a force that facilitates separating the flanges 142 and 144 .
- FIG. 8A illustrates another embodiment of the reclosable bag in which the reclosable fastener assembly 130 may include two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip 136 having a front wall connecting flange 140 and a second continuous elongated profile strip 138 having a back wall connecting flange 144 .
- the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 may be configured with a male interlocking profile 802 that may be extruded with at least one male interlocking member 804 .
- the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 may be configured with a female interlocking profile 806 having at least one female interlocking member 808 .
- the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 may be releasably connected to the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 by engaging the male interlocking member 804 with the female interlocking member 808 .
- the male interlocking member 804 can be configured to enable the male interlocking profile 802 to be separated from the female interlocking profile 806 with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward the top seal as when separating the male interlocking profile from the female interlocking profile in a direction toward the bottom seal. This causes a differential opening force, applied to the inside and/or outside the reclosable back-seam bag, to remain balanced.
- a user may pinch the front wall 108 and the back wall 110 using fingers of opposite hands, and then, open the bag 100 by pulling the pinched front wall 108 and back wall 110 apart from one another.
- Such mechanism may be referred to as “pinch-'n-pull”.
- the separation (i.e., pulling apart) of the front wall 108 from the back wall 110 allows the open male and female interlocking members 804 , 808 to easily disengage from one another so that separation of the front wall 108 from the back wall 106 can cause the top seal 104 to separate from within as desired by a user.
- the front wall connecting flange 140 may be configured to have a height substantially similar to the height of the back wall connecting flange 144 .
- back wall connecting flange 144 may be configured with an additional back wall connecting flange 844 so that the combined height of the flanges 144 and 844 is greater than the height of the front wall connecting flange 140 .
- FIG. 8A the front wall connecting flange 140 may be configured to have a height substantially similar to the height of the back wall connecting flange 144 .
- back wall connecting flange 144 may be configured with an additional back wall connecting flange 844 so that the combined height of the flanges 144 and 844 is greater than the height of the front wall connecting flange 140 .
- the front wall connecting flange 140 may be configured with an additional front wall connecting flange 840 so that the combined height of the front wall connecting flange 140 and the additional front wall connecting flange 840 is greater than the height of the back wall connecting flange 144 .
- both the front wall connecting flange 140 and the back wall connecting flange 144 may be, respectively, configured with an additional front wall connecting flange 840 and an additional back wall connecting flange 844 .
- Such a configuration as depicted in FIG. 8D can result in the combined heights of flanges 144 and 844 being substantially similar to the combined heights of flanges 140 and 840 .
- the reclosable fastener assembly may include two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall connecting flange and a second continuous elongated profile strip having a back wall connecting flange, the flanges respectively extending upward, downward or both on the walls of the bag.
- FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of reclosable fastener assemblies that each include a male part and a female part.
- Each reclosable fastener assembly 130 may include fasteners 928 that comprise a male part 962 and a female part 964 , parts 962 and 964 being joined to each other as clearly seen in FIG. 9 .
- the distal ends of each fastener 928 can be flattened so as to permit the fasteners 928 to be free and separate from another adjacent fastener 928 .
- This “free and separate” relationship between adjacent ones of the fasteners 928 can be indicated by reference numeral 970 .
- adjacent fasteners can also be attached to each other, continuously or by spot tacking, dependent on actual operating conditions. Such a structure is considered to be within the scope of this invention.
- FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the reclosable bag having a frangible access portion to access the contents of the reclosable bag.
- the frangible access portion 154 is substantially parallel to the reclosable fastener assembly 130 and may be provided through the front wall of the reclosable bag by means of one or more score lines.
- the frangible access portion 154 is disposed within the bag body 102 adjacent to the reclosable fastener assembly 130 .
- the top seal 104 is provided above the frangible access portion 154
- a bottom seal 106 is provided below the frangible access portion 154 .
- Such frangible access portion 154 may also be disposed below the back wall connecting seal 148 .
- the frangible access portion 154 can expose the reclosable fastener assembly 130 from which a user can then gain access to the contents of the bag 102 .
- the frangible access portion 154 may also be formed with a conventional perforating die, and can be disposed on front wall 108 of the bag body 102 adjacent the reclosable fastener assembly 130 and above the continuous airtight and/or watertight lower seal 146 .
- the continuous airtight and/or watertight lower seal 146 is disposed along the length of the reclosable fastener assembly 130 and may be positioned below the first continuous profile strip 136 and the second continuous profile strip 138 (not shown).
- first continuous profile strip 136 and the second continuous profile strip 138 associated with the reclosable fastener assembly 130 may include the features described above with respect to the earlier described figures. It is appreciated that seal 146 may be placed such that seal 146 connects the reclosable fastener assembly 130 to the front wall 108 .
- FIG. 11A illustrates an embodiment of a two-flanged reclosable bag having a re-sealable first zipper patch 1106 that includes a first zipper flange front wall seal 1102 and a first zipper flange back wall seal 1104 (see FIG. 11B ).
- the re-sealable first zipper patch 1106 may be affixed on the front wall 108 .
- the first zipper flange front wall seal 1102 can then be made on the first zipper patch 1106 on the open web of film.
- the first zipper flange back wall seal 1104 can be made on a second zipper patch 1140 , while the tube of film is being formed into a bag.
- the reclosable bag also incorporates a zipper profile 1108 , which may include a male interlocking profile 1120 and a female interlocking profile 1130 (see FIG. 11C ).
- the male interlocking profile 1120 may be attached to the back wall of the reclosable bag via the second zipper patch 1140 .
- the male interlocking profile 1120 may have a cross section in the shape of an arrowhead.
- the female interlocking profile 1130 may be attached to the front wall 108 via the first zipper patch 1106 , and adjacent to the male interlocking profile 1120 .
- FIG. 11B illustrates the reclosable bag 100 in a closed position, wherein the female interlocking profile 1130 may be configured with two curved members so as to form a channel in between the curved members such that the male interlocking member can be snappingly engaged to join male and female interlocking profiles 1120 , 1130 respectively together to close the reclosable bag 100 .
- FIG. 11B illustrates the reclosable bag 100 in a closed position, wherein the female interlocking profile 1130 may be configured with two curved members so as to form a channel in between the curved members such that the male interlocking member can be snappingly engaged to join male and female interlocking profiles 1120 , 1130 respectively together to close the reclosable bag 100 .
- FIG. 11C shows the reclosable bag 100 in an open position, wherein the male interlocking member 1120 can be separated from the female interlocking profile 1130 with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward the top seal as when separating the male interlocking profile from the female interlocking profile in a direction toward the bottom seal.
- the configuration of the first zipper flange front wall seal 1102 and the first zipper flange back wall seal 1104 causes a differential opening force, that is applied to the inside and/or outside the reclosable back-seam bag, to remain balanced.
- a user may pinch the front wall 108 and the back wall 110 using fingers of opposite hands, and then, open the bag 100 by pulling the pinched front wall 108 and back wall 110 apart from one another.
- Such mechanism may be referred to as “pinch-'n-pull”.
- the separation (i.e., pulling apart) of the front wall 108 from the back wall 110 allows the interlocked male and female interlocking profile 1120 , 1130 to disengage from one another. Further separation of the front wall 108 from the back wall 110 can cause the top seal 104 to separate from within as desired by a user.
- the top seal may be configured to include a peelable seal such that the peelable seal can be peeled off when the bag is desired to be opened.
- the top seal 104 can be torn opened, peeled opened, or delaminated so as to open the reclosable bag.
- the top seal 104 can be configured with an airtight and watertight seal that may be provided along an interconnection of a length of the first zipper patch 1106 and the second zipper patch 1140 , and disposed in a location above the first zipper flange front wall seal 1102 and the first zipper flange back wall seal 1104 .
- the bag, first zipper patch and second patch can comprise a polyethylene material.
- the top seal 104 can be configured with a permeable seal that may be provided along an interconnection of a length of the first zipper patch 1106 and the second zipper patch 1140 . The permeable seal may be disposed in a location above the first zipper flange front wall seal 1102 and the first zipper flange back wall seal 1104 .
- the bag 100 , first zipper patch 1106 and second zipper patch 1140 can be comprise a polypropylene material.
- the reclosable bag can also include a frangible access portion 154 for exposing the contents of the reclosable bag.
- the frangible access portion 154 is substantially parallel to the first zipper patch 1106 and may be provided through the front wall 108 of the reclosable bag by means of perforations.
- the reclosable bag can also contain one or more score lines 158 that may be disposed in on the front wall 108 and parallel to the frangible access portion 154 and the first zipper patch 1106 .
- the frangible access portion 154 is disposed on the front wall 108 between a lower portion of the top seal 104 and the upper portion of the first zipper patch 1106 . Upon tear opening, the frangible access portion 154 can then expose the contents of the bag 102 .
- FIGS. 12A-12C illustrates an embodiment of a front view of a three-flanged reclosable bag having a first zipper flange front wall seal 1102 , a second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 attached to the re-sealable first zipper patch 1106 , and an first zipper flange back wall seal 1104 attached to a back wall zipper patch.
- the second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 provides additional support to the re-sealable first zipper patch 1106 such that when a user desires to open the reclosable bag, by pulling a pinched front wall 108 apart from the back wall 110 , an equal opening force may be exerted from the to the reclosable as well as to the user.
- FIGS. 12A-12C illustrates an embodiment of a front view of a three-flanged reclosable bag having a first zipper flange front wall seal 1102 , a second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 attached to the re-sealable first zipper patch 1106 , and
- FIG. 12B also illustrates a side view profile of the reclosable bag when closed, wherein the curved members of the female interlocking profile 1130 are configured to form a channel such that the male interlocking member 1120 can be snappingly engaged to join the male and female interlocking profiles 1120 , 1130 respectively together.
- FIG. 12B also illustrates a side view profile of the reclosable bag when closed, wherein the curved members of the female interlocking profile 1130 are configured to form a channel such that the male interlocking member 1120 can be snappingly engaged to join the male and female interlocking profiles 1120 , 1130 respectively together.
- FIGS. 12C illustrates a side view profile of the reclosable bag when opened, wherein the male interlocking member 1120 can be separated from the female interlocking profile 1130 with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward the top seal as when separating the male interlocking profile from the female interlocking profile in a direction toward the bottom seal.
- the second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 provides additional support to the re-sealable first zipper patch 1106 for attachment to the reclosable bag so as to cause a differential opening force, applied to the inside and/or outside the reclosable back-seam bag, to remain balanced.
- the other features of the reclosable bag 100 have been previously described in FIGS. 11A-11C .
- FIGS. 13A-13C illustrates an embodiment of different views of a four-flanged reclosable bag having a first zipper flange front wall seal 1102 and a second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 attached to the re-sealable first zipper patch 1106 , as well as a first zipper flange back wall seal 1104 and a second zipper flange back wall seal 1304 .
- front wall tack-down seals may 1360 be provided on the first zipper patch 1106 on open web (or during a zipper extrusion process).
- a corresponding number of back wall tack-down seals 1370 are provided as well as on the second zipper patch 1140 .
- the tack-down seals may be configured as a light continuous seal that may be provided on the first zipper patch 1106 and the second zipper patch 1140 .
- the front wall tack-down seals 1360 are configured to maintain the second zipper flange back wall seal 1304 in a close relationship to the second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 , so as to prevent the zipper profile 1108 from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture. Such jamming can occur during, for example, a manufacture process that can involve movement of a web through the reclosable bag, over forming collar and down a fill tube.
- FIG. 13B shows the front wall tack-down seals 1360 and the back wall tack-down seals 1370 in close proximity to one another when the reclosable bag is closed.
- Such engagement of the front wall tack-down seals 1360 and the back wall tack-down seals 1370 may be facilitated due to the configurations of each of these tack-down seals.
- the tack-down seals serve to maintain the second zipper flange back wall seal 1304 in a close proximity to the second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 such that the first zipper patch 1106 and the second zipper patch 1140 are prevented from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture.
- the front wall tack-down seals 1360 can be configured to have a female profile configuration while the back wall tack-down seals 1370 can be configured to have a male profile configuration.
- FIG. 13C illustrates a side view profile of the reclosable bag when opened, wherein the male interlocking member 1120 can be separated from the female interlocking profile 1130 with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward the top seal 104 as when separating the male interlocking profile from the female interlocking profile in a direction toward the bottom seal.
- the four flanges combine to provide additional support to the reclosable bag so as to cause a differential opening force, applied to the inside and/or outside the reclosable back-seam bag, to remain balanced.
- the other features of the reclosable bag 100 have been previously described in FIGS. 11A-11C .
- FIGS. 14A-14C illustrates another embodiment of the reclosable bag that includes a flange-to-flange peelable adhesive or co-extruded bead attached to the re-sealable first zipper patch 1106 .
- the embodiment described in FIGS. 13A-13C is similar to this embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14A-14C except that the tack seals of FIGS. 13A-13C are replaced with flange-to-flange peelable adhesive or co-extruded bead 1460 .
- the flange-to-flange peelable adhesive or co-extruded bead 1460 are configured to maintain the second zipper flange back wall seal 1304 in a close relationship to the second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 , so as to prevent the first zipper patch 1106 and the second zipper patch 1140 from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture. Such jamming can occur during, for example, a manufacture process that can involve movement of a web through the reclosable bag, over forming collar and down a fill tube.
- the other features of the reclosable bag 100 have been previously described in FIGS. 11A-11C .
- either tack seals ( FIGS. 13A-13C ) or the flange-to-flange peelable adhesive or co-extruded bead 1460 of FIGS. 14A-14C can be replaced with a frangible membrane that connects the front wall flanges with the back wall flanges.
- frangible membrane 1560 as illustrated in FIG. 15 , also serve to maintain the second zipper flange back wall seal 1304 in a close relationship to the second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 , so as to prevent the first zipper patch 1106 and the second zipper patch 1140 from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture.
- Such jamming can occur during, for example, a manufacture process that can involve movement of a web through the reclosable bag, over forming collar and down a fill tube.
- the other features of the reclosable bag 100 have been previously described in FIGS. 11A-11C .
- FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of a side view of a four-flanged ( 1102 , 1104 , 1202 , 1304 ) reclosable bag in which the male interlocking member is provided in an open disengaged position when the top seal of the bag remains sealed.
- the male interlocking member 1120 is disengaged from the female interlocking member 1130 , while the top seal 104 remains sealed.
- the bag may be easily opened by pinching the front and back walls 108 , 110 of the bag 100 and simultaneously separating the walls until the top seal 104 is ruptured or peeled open.
- the open configuration of the fastener profile i.e., the male and female interlocking members 1120 , 1130 ) facilitates such opening.
- each of the first zipper patch 1106 and the second zipper patch 1140 may each be disposed to be shorter in length than the width of the bag. Subsequently, easy access is permitted from either the top of the bag, or from rupturing the frangible access portion 154 (not shown), and then, separating the fastener profile. It is contemplated that this configuration can be applicable for two-flanged and three-flanged reclosable bags as well. Further details of each of the four flanges 1102 , 1104 , 1202 , 1304 and other features of the reclosable bag have been previously described.
- FIGS. 18A-18C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a four-flanged reclosable bag having a flange overlap configured with overlap seals.
- overlap seals 1860 may be provided on a flange overlap 1870 , which can then be connected to at least one of the first zipper patch 1106 and/or the second zipper patch 1140 on open web (or during a zipper extrusion process), when the reclosable bag is in a closed position.
- FIG. 18A and 18B for example, overlap seals 1860 may be provided on a flange overlap 1870 , which can then be connected to at least one of the first zipper patch 1106 and/or the second zipper patch 1140 on open web (or during a zipper extrusion process), when the reclosable bag is in a closed position.
- the overlap seals 1860 when the reclosable bag is in a closed position, can be constructed and arranged to maintain the second zipper flange back wall seal 1304 in a close relationship to the second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 , so as to prevent the zipper profile 1108 from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture. Such jamming can occur during, for example, a manufacture process that can involve movement of a web through the reclosable bag, over forming collar and down a fill tube.
- the overlap seals 1860 may be configured to break open relatively easily when the bag 100 is opened by a user.
- overlap seals 1860 can be configured as at least one of tack-down seals, peelable adhesives, light continuous seal, and/or frangible membrane that may be provided on the first zipper patch 1106 and/or the second zipper patch 1140 .
- FIG. 18C illustrates a side view profile of the reclosable bag when opened, wherein the male interlocking member 1120 can be separated from the female interlocking profile 1130 with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward the top seal 104 as when separating the male interlocking profile from the female interlocking profile in a direction toward the bottom seal.
- first zipper flange front wall seal 1102 and second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 are attached to the re-sealable first zipper patch 1106
- first zipper flange back wall seal 1104 and a second zipper flange back wall seal 1304 are attached to the second zipper patch 1140 .
- Each of the four flanges i.e., first zipper flange front wall seal 1102 , second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 , first zipper flange back wall seal 1104 , and second zipper flange back wall seal 1304 ) as well as the flange overlap 1870 combine to provide additional support to the reclosable bag so as to cause a differential opening force, applied to the inside and/or outside the reclosable back-seam bag, to remain balanced.
- the other features of the reclosable bag 100 have been previously described in FIGS. 11A-11C .
- FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary machine that can be used to manufacture a reclosable back-seam bag described herein.
- Such reclosable back-seam bag machine may be configured by supplying a desired web material, whether single ply or laminated, to a form, fill and seal machine 1700 .
- Such machines are well known in the art and may include a combination bag forming and filling nozzle cylinder 1729 that can be adapted to receive products to be filled into the formed bags from a hopper 1730 .
- Bag making web 1731 which may carry the reclosable fastener or zipper means 1727 , can extend across the formation axis of the web at suitable longitudinal spaced intervals along the web, and may be guided by means of guide roller 1732 to the cylindrical outer surface of the cylinder 1729 .
- a folding or wrapping arm device 1733 guides and wraps the web 1731 about the cylinder 1729 with the longitudinal margins of the web brought together into a longitudinal, laminar closure fin assembly 1734 .
- Sealing of the fin assembly 1734 into a closure seam may be achieved by means of a pair of vertical sealing bars 1735 which are movable into clamping and sealing engagement with the closure fin assembly 1734 , as indicated by the solid directional arrows 1737 .
- Such vertical sealing bars may be configured with a sinusoidal wave seal (e.g., a sine wave seal 1750 ) that may serve to maintain the seals.
- the bars 1735 are then separable as indicated by the dashed arrows 1738 to release the heat sealed seam section of fin 1734 of the now closed bag forming tube of the web material.
- the longitudinally sealed tube is advanced by bag length increments.
- Such advancement is achieved by means of a pair of horizontal, parallel bag end sealing bars 1739 , which operate by clampingly engaging the bag web tube below the end of the cylindrical forming and filling nozzle member 1729 for simultaneously sealing the top end of a filled bag section 1720 and the bottom end of the next succeeding bag section.
- Such horizontal sealing bars 1739 may be configured with a sine wave seal 1750 that may serve to maintain the seals.
- the sealing bars 1739 may be configured to grip the bag web tube, and then move downwardly by a bag section length as indicated by the directional arrow 1740 , so as to pull and advance the entire bag making tube one bag increment downwardly.
- the next succeeding bag can be filled with product that may be dropped down the cylinder 1729 from the hopper 1730 .
- a severance means such as a cutoff bar 1741 can cut midway across the seal 1742 that has been effected by the bars 1739 , thus releasing the previously filled bags 1720 which may then be handled as desired, such as to be packed for market.
- the sealing bar and cutoff device 1739 , 1741 may return as indicated by the dashed directional arrow 1743 to its starting position adjacent to the lower end of the cylinder 1729 . It will be understood, of course, that operation of the vertical sealing bars 1735 , and the horizontal sealing and pulldown bars 1739 are operated in coordinated cyclical relation, as is well known in the art for form, fill and seal machines of this type.
Abstract
A reclosable back-seam bag having a top seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall is disclosed. The front wall is joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal. The reclosable back-seam bag includes a reclosable fastener that includes two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall connecting flange and a second continuous elongated profile strip having a back wall connecting flange. The first continuous elongated profile strip includes a male interlocking profile having at least one male interlocking member, and the second continuous elongated profile strip includes a female interlocking profile having at least one female interlocking member. The male interlocking member is configured so as to cause the male interlocking profile to be separated from the female interlocking profile with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward said top seal as when separated in a direction toward said bottom seal. At least one frangible access portion disposed substantially parallel to said reclosable fastener assembly may be provided to expose the releasable fastener assembly and/or the contents of the bag.
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/788,093, which was filed on Feb. 26, 2004, which is a division of application Ser. No. 09/660,210, filed on Sep. 12, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,612, which is a division of application Ser. No. 09/257,560, filed on Feb. 25, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,060, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/118,575, filed on Jul. 17, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,369. This application is also a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/831,989, which was filed on Apr. 26, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/415,696 filed on Oct. 12, 1999. The content of these applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
- This present invention generally relates to reclosable plastic bags, and a method of their manufacture that is more efficient and economical than conventional methods and devices, and in particular to reclosable bags which can be torn open to access their content.
- Current reclosable bags have been designed in to provide ease of use for users. However, there are shortcomings in the currently available reclosable bags. As an example, consider prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,122 to Ramsey et al (“Ramsey '122 patent”). A particular problem with the Ramsey '122 technique is that a greater amount of force is required to open the reclosable fasteners from outside the bag than the amount of force required to tear open the bag from the middle. Such disproportionate amount of force may damage the reclosable bag or even the contents of the reclosable bag when a user opens the bag.
- Consider further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,845 to Yeager (“Yeager '845 patent”). There are at least two definitive shortcomings with the technology described therein. The first shortcoming relates to the problem of having to open the zipper completely from the front panel of the finished bag. Users of reclosable bags and packaging are accustomed to opening the profiled fastener from the “top” of the package, and not from the front panel of the package. Hence, the user will have to become accustomed to an unfamiliar or uncomfortable manner in which to open a bag.
- The second shortcoming is more serious, and relates to the requirement of opening the package from the front panel thereof. If the package is to be opened from the front panel, a cut or perforation must be made before the fastener is applied. This cut, or perforation, is generally shaped like an “oval” with opening “tabs” for gaining access to the fastener. Since the fastener, most likely, is not closed at the ends of the fastener, the possibility of contamination exists.
- The most expedient and economical way to make the package is to create the cut, or perforation, in one operation, just upstream of the fastener strip application. This operation, in its simplest form, will leave openings for potential contamination to pass through the cut or perforated front panel opening. To overcome this contamination potential, users of this method add a great deal more cost and complexity to create a sealed, sealable “patch”, or some other means of eliminating this contamination risk. The same problem occurs, if the package must be hermetically sealed.
- Hence, there exists a need to solve the problems in the art that are articulated above.
- Accordingly, among other advantages, the reclosable bag described herein overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a reclosable back-seam bag that provides a hermetic seal by sealing a bag body with a top seal, a bottom seal, a back seam seal, and a plurality of seals sealing a reclosable fastener with flanges to a front wall and, in some cases, to a back wall of the bag body. In another embodiment, a reclosable bag can be configured as a side-seam bag having one web of film folded along a longitudinal fold to form two half webs of film, and having top edges of each of the two half webs of film sealed together to form a side seam. In another embodiment, the reclosable bag is configured as having two webs of film that are sealed together along respective edges of the two webs of film to form four side seams, each of the two webs of film having an inside surface, and the back wall having two sides, each side being defined between each of the four side seams and a respective one of the two webs of film.
- The reclosable bag includes a reclosable fastener assembly that includes two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip and a second continuous elongated profile strip. The first continuous elongated profile strip and the second continuous elongated profile strip provide a seal upon interconnection thereof.
- A seal is provided at each end of the reclosable fastener assembly. The reclosable bag is further provided with a first continuous elongated profile strip that has a front wall connecting flange and a gripping flange. Both the front wall connecting flange and the gripping flange have a width greater than a width of the first continuous elongated profile strip to assist in positioning and sealing of the reclosable fastener to web stock. The front wall-connecting flange is sealed to the front wall of the bag.
- A frangible access that is substantially parallel to the reclosable fastener assembly may be provided through the front wall of the bag by means of one or more score lines. Upon opening, the frangible access exposes the reclosable fastener assembly. The frangible access may be disposed on the front wall or the back wall of the bag body adjacent the reclosable fastener assembly and above the bottom seal.
- In one example, a reclosable back-seam bag includes a gripping flange that includes a continuous rib disposed at a distal end of the gripping flange and/or a plurality of continuous, substantially parallel ribs disposed on the gripping flange. The ribs and the gripping flange provide a user with ease of opening of the reclosable fastener once the frangible access has been opened.
- In another example, a method of making a reclosable back-seam bag. The method includes the steps of providing a rectangular sheet of polymeric material having an inside surface. A predetermined length of a reclosable fastener including two ends, and a first continuous elongated profile strip interlocked with a second continuous elongated profile strip is provided, and a front wall connecting flange of the reclosable fastener is connected to the inside surface of the rectangular sheet.
- The method includes the step of forming a bag body having a front wall and a back wall. The back wall is formed by folding the rectangular sheet of film along two longitudinal folds, and overlapping and sealing edges of the rectangular sheet.
- The method further includes joining the front wall to the back wall at a bottom seal, and connecting a back wall connecting flange to the inside surface of the rectangular sheet and the back wall of the bag at a back wall connecting seal. A frangible access substantially parallel to the reclosable fastener being disposed on the front wall of the bag body adjacent the reclosable fastener and below the back wall connecting seal is provided for exposing the reclosable fastener. The method also includes providing a top seal above the frangible access.
- In another example, a first continuous elongated profile strip having a male interlocking profile includes at least one male interlocking member. Also provided is a second continuous elongated profile strip having a female interlocking profile that includes at least one female interlocking member. The first continuous elongated profile strip can be releasably connected to the second continuous elongated profile strip by engaging the male interlocking member with the female interlocking member. However, in a preferred embodiment, the male interlocking member is provided in an open disengaged position in the bag when the bag is sealed. Thus, the bag may be easily opened by pinching the front and back walls of the bag and separating the walls until the top seal is ruptured or peeled open. The open configuration of the fasteners facilitates such opening. Subsequently, easy access is permitted from either the top of the bag, or from rupturing the frangible access portion located above the bottom seal, and then, separating the fastener profile.
- The features described below, other than those specifically set forth above, will become apparent in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments set forth below and in the drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a front plan view of a reclosable bag; -
FIG. 2 is an embodiment of a back plan view of the reclosable bag; -
FIG. 3 is an embodiment of a side cross sectional view of the reclosable bag ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a side cross sectional view of the reclosable bag through a side seal of the bag; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rectangular sheet of film having a plurality of reclosable fastener assemblies thereon prior to a form, fill and seal operation; -
FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the reclosable bag having the reclosable fastener assembly include a first continuous elongated profile strip; -
FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the reclosable bag having the reclosable fastener assembly include a second continuous elongated profile strip; -
FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate another embodiment of the reclosable bag in which the reclosable fastener assembly may include two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall connecting flange and a second continuous elongated profile strip having a back wall connecting flange, the flanges respectively extending upward, downward or both on the walls of the bag; -
FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of reclosable fastener assemblies that each include a male part and a female part; -
FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the reclosable bag having a frangible access portion to access the contents of the reclosable bag; -
FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a two-flanged reclosable bag; -
FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a three-flanged reclosable bag; -
FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a four-flanged reclosable bag having tack-down seals; -
FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a four-flanged reclosable bag having peelable adhesives or co-extruded beads; -
FIGS. 15A-15C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a four-flanged reclosable bag having a frangible membrane that at least a pair of the four flanges. -
FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of a side view of a four-flanged reclosable bag in which the male interlocking member is provided in an open disengaged position when the top seal of the bag remains sealed. -
FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary machine that can be used to manufacture a reclosable back-seam bag. -
FIGS. 18A-18C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a four-flanged reclosable bag having a flange overlap configured with overlap seals. -
FIG. 1 is a front plan view of reclosable back-seam bag 100. Reclosable back-seam bag 100 includes abag body 102. Bag body 102 (FIGS. 1-4 ) can include atop seal 104 and abottom seal 106, and afront wall 108 and aback wall 110. Front wall 108 (FIGS. 1 , 3 and 4) may be joined to theback wall 110 at thetop seal 104 and the bottom seal 106 (FIGS. 1-4 ). It is appreciated thatbag body 102 can be formed on conventional form fill and seal machines known in the art. In another embodiment, a reclosable bag can be configured as a side-seam bag having one web of film folded along a longitudinal fold to form two half webs of film, and having top edges of each of the two half webs of film sealed together to form a side seam. In another embodiment, the reclosable bag is configured as having two webs of film that are sealed together along respective edges of the two webs of film to form four side seams, each of the two webs of film having an inside surface, and the back wall having two sides, each side being defined between each of the four side seams and a respective one of the two webs of film. -
Bag 100 includes reclosable fastener assembly 130 (FIGS. 1-3 ).Reclosable fastener assembly 130 includes two ends 132, 134. Between ends 132, 134, a first continuouselongated profile strip 136 may be releasably interlocked with a second continuouselongated profile strip 138. It is appreciated that first continuouselongated profile 136 and the second continuouselongated profile 138 have protruding male and female members (not shown) which when interlocked provide an airtight and watertight seal. - Any of the seals described herein can be made by a variety of devices including heat sealers, ultrasonic sealers, and other devices known in the art. The seals also may be made with an adhesive.
- A continuous airtight and/or watertight
lower seal 146 is disposed along the length L of thereclosable fastener assembly 130 and may be positioned below the profile strips 136, 138. It is appreciated thatseal 146 is placed such thatseal 146 connects thereclosable fastener assembly 130 to thefront wall 108 prior to rectangular sheet offilm 112 being formed into a tubular structure precursor ofbag body 102. That is,seal 146 may connectreclosable fastener assembly 130 to rectangular sheet offilm 112 while the sheet of film is still in a substantially flat state (FIG. 5 ). - A continuous airtight and/or watertight
upper seal 148 along the length L of the reclosable fastener assembly is positioned above the profile strips 136, 138. Theupper seal 148 connects the reclosable fastener to backwall 110.Upper seal 148 may be made after thebag body 102 is substantially complete, e.g. after thebag body 102 has been substantially completed on a form fill and seal machine. This may be accomplished by sealing jaws on the form fill and seal machine. - In an embodiment, reclosable back-
seam bag 100 may include a first continuouselongated profile strip 136 that has a frontwall connecting flange 140 and a gripping flange 142 (FIG. 3 ). Both the frontwall connecting flange 140 and thegripping flange 142 may have widths W′, W′″″ greater than a width W″ of the first continuouselongated profile strip 136. It is appreciated that by providingflanges flange 140 andflange 144 provide a substantially smooth, planar and uniform surface to which to seal theinside surface 124 of rectangular sheet offilm 112 thereto. - By way of example, front
wall connecting flange 140 can be sealed tofront wall 108 atinside surface 124′. Similarly, second continuouselongated profile strip 138 has a back wall-connectingflange 144. The backwall connecting flange 144 has a width W′″ greater than a width W″ of the second continuouselongated profile strip 138, and in a variant a width greater than grippingflange 142. Backwall connecting flange 140 is sealed to backwall 110 at backwall connecting seal 148. - To improve the appearance and air and watertightness of
bag 100, the length L of thereclosable fastener assembly 130 is preferably configured to be less than the width W of back wall 110 (FIG. 2 ). - In another embodiment, reclosable
back seam bag 100 includes a frangible access 154 (FIGS. 1-4 ).Access 154 can take many forms including a score line or a plurality of perforations.Access 154 can be substantially parallel to thereclosable fastener assembly 130. Removal ofaccess 154 exposes thereleasable fastener assembly 130 and provides access to thegripping flange 142, and profile strips 136, 138. In an embodiment, thefrangible access 154 may be disposed both on thefront wall 108 and on theback wall 110 of thebag body 102 adjacent thereclosable fastener assembly 130 and above the upper seal 148 (FIGS. 1 and 2 ). In an embodiment,frangible access 154 may include a plurality of perforations 156 (FIGS. 1 , 3 and 4). - Back wall 110 of
bag body 102 may be formed from rectangular sheet of film 112 (FIG. 5 ) on a conventional form, fill and seal machine. The form fill and seal machine can be a vertical form, fill and seal machine.Film 112 can be made from any suitable material but is preferably made from a polymeric material.Film 112 can be folded along twolongitudinal folds vertical edges 118, 120 (FIG. 1 ) are overlapped and sealed as is conventional to form backseam 122. Backwall 110 has twosides 126, 128 (FIG. 2 ). Eachside back seam 122 and a respective one of thelongitudinal folds - In one embodiment, the
back wall 110 can be formed from one web of film folded along a longitudinal fold to form two half webs of film. The top edges of each of the two half webs of film can then be sealed together to form a side seam. In this embodiment, theback wall 110 has two sides, each side being defined between the side seam and a respective one of the longitudinal folds. Further, in this embodiment, the frontwall connecting flange 146 may be connected to the inside surface of one web of film and thefront wall 108 of thebag body 102 at afront wall seal 146. In this embodiment, thefront wall seal 146 may be substantially parallel to thetop seal 104 and spaced between thebottom seal 106 and the profile strips 136, 138. Also the backwall connecting flange 144 can be connected to the inside surface of the one web of film and the back wall at a back wall connecting seal such that the back wall connecting seal is spaced between the profile strips and thetop seal 104. In this embodiment, a side seal can be disposed at each end of the reclosable fastener such that the side seal connects an end of the reclosable fastener to the inside surface of the one web of film inwardly of the longitudinal folds of the bag body to thereby prevent air or liquids from entering or leaving the bag through the ends of the reclosable fastener. - In another embodiment, the
back wall 110 can be formed from two webs of film that are sealed together along respective edges of the two webs of film to form four side seams. Each of the two webs of film has an inside surface. Theback wall 110 has two sides, each side being defined between each of the four side seams and a respective one of the two webs of film. In this embodiment, the frontwall connecting flange 146 may be being connected to said inside surface of each of the two webs of film and thefront wall 108 of thebag body 102 at afront wall seal 146. In this embodiment, thefront wall seal 146 may be substantially parallel to thetop seal 104 and spaced between thebottom seal 106 and the profile strips 136, 138. Also the backwall connecting flange 144 can be connected to the inside surface of each of the two webs of film and the back wall at a back wall connecting seal, such that the back wall connecting seal is spaced between the profile strips and thetop seal 104. In this embodiment, a side seal can be disposed at each end of the reclosable fastener such that the side seal connects an end of the reclosable fastener to the inside surface of each of the two webs of film inwardly of the bag body thereby preventing air or liquids from entering or leaving the bag through the ends of the reclosable fastener. -
Reclosable fastener 130 includes two ends 132, 134, a first continuouselongated profile strip 136 and a second continuouselongated profile strip 138. The first continuouselongated profile strip 136 may be releasably connected to the second continuouselongated profile strip 138.Strip 136 is matable to strip 138, and eitherstrip 136 orstrip 138 can be complementary male and female strips as required. More of the features ofstrips - In an embodiment, first continuous
elongated profile strip 136 can be configured with a frontwall connecting flange 140 and agripping flange 142. Frontwall connecting flange 140 may be heat sealed or ultrasonically sealed to rectangular sheet offilm 112 whilefilm 112 can be in a substantially flat state (FIG. 5 ). The sealing of frontwall connecting flange 146 to film 112 occurs prior to the formation of a tube (not shown) fromfilm 112 on a conventional form fill and seal machine. It is further appreciated that strips 136, 138 are interlocked at thetime flange 146 is sealed to film 112 (FIG. 5 ). In particular, frontwall connecting flange 146 is connected to theinside surface 124 of the rectangular sheet offilm 112 and thefront wall 108 of thebag body 102 at afront wall seal 146.Front wall seal 146 may be substantially parallel totop seal 104 and spaced between thebottom seal 106 and the profile strips 136, 138. - Both front
wall connecting flange 140 andgripping flange 142 have widths W″″, W″″ greater than a width W″ of the first continuouselongated profile strip 136. Second continuouselongated profile strip 138 may include a back wall-connectingflange 144. In an embodiment, width W′ ofgripping flange 142 is about 0.8 centimeters, and width W″ ofstrip 136 is about 0.3 centimeters. Backwall connecting flange 144 has a width W′″ greater than a width W″ of second continuouselongated profile strip 138. Width W′″ offlange 144 is about 1.7 centimeters in a embodiment, and W″ is about 0.3 centimeters.Gripping flange 142 may allow for a user to easily open the interlockedstrips flange 142 and backwall connecting flange 144 and separating theflanges gripping flange 142 may be substantially less than width W′″ of the backwall connecting flange 144. It is appreciated that the use of these widths facilitates the placement of backwall connecting seal 148 such that thegripping flange 142 does not interfere with the sealing process. - To aid in the formation of the airtight and/or watertight seals used in the present invention, it is appreciated that the length L of the
reclosable fastener 130 is less than the combined lengths of the twosides bag body 102. In an embodiment, length L is about 21.5 centimeters. - Back
wall connecting flange 144 can be connected to theinside surface 124 of the rectangular sheet offilm 112 and theback wall 110 at a backwall connecting seal 148. Backwall connecting seal 148 may be spaced between profile strips 136, 138, and thetop seal 104. In an embodiment ofbag 100,bag 100 has the various seals placed as follows:Top seal 104 is disposed approximately 3 millimeters from the top ofbag 100;Frangible access 154 is disposed about 4 millimeters belowtop seal 104; Backwall connecting seal 148 is disposed about 5 millimeters belowfrangible access 154;Profiles wall connecting seal 148; Frontwall connecting flange 140 is disposed about 7 millimeters belowprofiles Bottom seal 106 is disposed about 30 centimeters below frontwall connecting flange 140. - Side seals 150, 152 are placed at each end of the
reclosable fastener assembly 130. Side seals 150, 152 provide an airtight and/or watertight seal between theinside surface 124 offilm 112 andreclosable fastener assembly 130. Prior to the sealing of frontwall connecting flange 140 tofront wall 108, theends reclosable fastener 130 can be splotched. Splotching of reclosable fastener ends 132, 134 creates substantially flattened ends 162, 164 which facilitate the formation of the airtight and/or watertight seals of the invention. - A
frangible access 154 can be cut between backwall connecting seal 148 andtop seal 104 with a standard perforating die, and the like,access 154 is substantially parallel to thereclosable fastener 130 and exposesreclosable fastener 130 to a user.Frangible access 154 may be disposed on thefront wall 108 and on theback wall 110 of thebag body 102 adjacentreclosable fastener 130 and above backwall connecting seal 148. It is appreciated that upon opening offrangible access 154, bothfront wall 108 andback wall 110 ofbag 100 are severed. In an embodiment,frangible access 154 may comprise a plurality ofperforations 156. - In an embodiment, first continuous
elongated profile strip 136 and the second continuouselongated profile strip 138 each have respectiveback portions FIG. 3 ). By providing theseals portion 158 can move in relation to theinside surface 124′ of the rectangular sheet offilm 112. It is further appreciated that the seal placement permits second continuous elongated profile strip backportion 160 to move in relation to theinside surface 124 of the rectangular sheet offilm 112. -
Gripping flange 142 may include acontinuous rib 166 disposed at adistal end 168 of thegripping flange 142.Gripping flange 142 can also include a plurality of continuous, substantiallyparallel ribs 170 disposed on thegripping flange 142. -
Reclosable fastener assembly 130 can be manufactured in different forms. As an example,gripping flange 142 and frontwall connecting flange 140 can be made from a single, extruded, flexible polymeric material. That is,gripping flange 142 and connectingflange 140 andprofile strip 136 are extruded and form a continuous member. Similarly, secondcontinuous profile strip 138 and the back wall-connectingflange 144 may be formed from an extruded, flexible polymeric material, and can be extruded such that they form a single continuous member. Backwall connecting flange 144 and frontwall connecting flange 140 can be of a sufficient thickness to seal to the respective walls that they connect to, yet of a sufficient thickness not to seal to theinside surface 124 ofwalls film 112 used and the type of polymeric material used for profile strips 136,138, andflanges - In an embodiment,
gripping flange 142 and the bag wall-connecting flange are made from a single web. Firstcontinuous profile strip 136 may be sealed to the web with an airtight and/or watertight seal (not shown). Similarly,strip 138 can be sealed to a second web. - A method of making a reclosable back-
seam bag 100 is also provided herein. A rectangular sheet ofpolymeric material 112 having aninside surface 124 is provided in a substantially flat state (FIG. 5 ). A predetermined length L of areclosable fastener 130 including two ends 132, 134, a first continuouselongated profile strip 136 and a second continuouselongated profile strip 138 is cut from a longer length (e.g., a continuous roll of interlocked fastener assemblies). First continuouselongated profile strip 136 is releasably connected to second continuouselongated profile strip 138. For each length L offastener 130, ends 132 and 134 are splotched so that they are substantially flattened. - The
reclosable fastener 130 may be moved ontofilm 112 transverse to the length of thefilm 112 in one embodiment, or longitudinally across the length of thefilm 112 in another embodiment. Frontwall connecting flange 140 is sealed with an airtight and/or watertight seal to theinside surface 124′ of the rectangular sheet offilm 112 such that it is approximately centered thereon in relation to the width of the sheet offilm 112.Bag body 102 can be formed on a conventional form, fill, and seal machine.Bag body 102 can be formed into a tube (not shown) such that afront wall 108 and aback wall 110 are formed. Backwall 110 is formed by folding the rectangular sheet offilm 112 along twolongitudinal folds edges film 112. Backwall 110 has twosides side back seam 122 and a respective one of thelongitudinal folds front wall 108 is joined to theback wall 110 at abottom seal 106.Bottom seal 106 can be made in conventional heat sealing jaws (not shown). - Back
wall connecting flange 144 may be connected (e.g. by heat sealing) to theinside surface 124 ofrectangular sheet 112 at what is now theback wall 110 ofbag body 102 at backwall connecting seal 148. - The
frangible access 154 can be configured substantially parallel to thereclosable fastener 130 for exposingreleasable fastener 130.Access 154 is formed with a conventional perforating die, and is disposed onfront wall 108 and onback wall 110 of thebag body 102 adjacent thereclosable fastener assembly 130 and above the backwall connecting seal 148. - The method then includes providing
top seal 104 above thefrangible access 154. Properly feeding, locating and sealingreclosable fastener 130 at predetermined locations on rectangular sheet offilm 112 readily are important aspects of the method (FIG. 5 ). Rectangular sheet offilm 112 may havemarks 3 or other machine readable indicia thereon to permit an electric eye or other sensor to read the marks or indicia so that proper registration and alignment of thereclosable fastener 130 is obtained with the bag body. Machines commercially available from Z-Patch, Inc. of Carbondale, Ill. are reliable and capable of repeatedly performing the steps referred to in the method described above with high throughput and with low cycle times. The film as shown inFIG. 5 made by the Z-Patch machine is then fed into a form fill seal machine (not shown), having sealing heads adapted to makeseals reclosable fastener 130 is fed and positioned for sealing onto rectangular sheet offilm 112 is critical in order to achieve repeatability. -
Reclosable fastener 130, which is generally about 3.5 centimeters wide, in one variant of the invention, is delivered in a cross web, stretched position, assuring squareness for positioning onto rectangular sheet offilm 112. It is appreciated that the width and length offastener 130 can be such that it accommodates the size of the bag body. Thefront wall seal 146 may be transverse tofilm 112. -
FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the reclosable bag having thereclosable fastener assembly 130 include the first continuouselongated profile strip 136. In this embodiment, the first continuouselongated profile strip 136 may be flat. The first continuouselongated profile strip 136 may also be manufactured from polyethylene. In this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 6 , the first continuouselongated profile strip 136 may include afirst rib 630,second rib 634 andthird rib 638. Thefirst rib 630,second rib 634 andthird rib 638 can be in a location offset from the center of the first continuouselongated profile strip 136, thereby defining aprofile adherence surface 642 betweenribs front wall 108 to which the first continuouselongated profile strip 136 attaches. Thefirst rib 630,second rib 634 andthird rib 638 of the first continuouselongated profile strip 136 extend the length, L, of thefront wall 108. -
FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the reclosable bag having thereclosable fastener assembly 130 include the second continuouselongated profile strip 138. In this embodiment, the second continuouselongated profile strip 138 may be flat. The second continuouselongated profile strip 138 may also be manufactured from polyethylene. Therefore, the second continuouselongated profile strip 138 can be manufactured from the same material and with the same dimensions as the first continuouselongated profile strip 136. In this embodiment, As depicted inFIG. 7 , the second continuouselongated profile strip 138 may include afirst rib 750,second rib 754 andthird rib 758. Thefirst rib 750,second rib 754 andthird rib 758 along an edge of thesecond profile strip 138, thereby defining aprofile adherence surface 746 betweenribs back wall 110 to which the second continuouselongated profile strip 138 attaches. Thefirst rib 750,second rib 754 andthird rib 758 of the second continuouselongated profile strip 138 extend the length, L, of theback wall 110. Theribs elongated profile strip 136 can interlock with theribs elongated profile strip 138, causing the reclosable back-seam bag 100 to close. The reclosable back-seam bag 100 (FIGS. 1-3 ) can be then be opened by grasping thegripping flange 142 and backwall connecting flange 144, and then applying a force that facilitates separating theflanges -
FIG. 8A illustrates another embodiment of the reclosable bag in which thereclosable fastener assembly 130 may include two ends, a first continuouselongated profile strip 136 having a frontwall connecting flange 140 and a second continuouselongated profile strip 138 having a backwall connecting flange 144. The first continuouselongated profile strip 136 may be configured with amale interlocking profile 802 that may be extruded with at least onemale interlocking member 804. The second continuouselongated profile strip 138 may be configured with afemale interlocking profile 806 having at least onefemale interlocking member 808. The first continuouselongated profile strip 136 may be releasably connected to the second continuouselongated profile strip 138 by engaging the male interlockingmember 804 with thefemale interlocking member 808. Themale interlocking member 804 can be configured to enable themale interlocking profile 802 to be separated from thefemale interlocking profile 806 with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward the top seal as when separating the male interlocking profile from the female interlocking profile in a direction toward the bottom seal. This causes a differential opening force, applied to the inside and/or outside the reclosable back-seam bag, to remain balanced. - In a preferred embodiment, when the reclosable back-
seam bag 100 is desired to be opened, a user may pinch thefront wall 108 and theback wall 110 using fingers of opposite hands, and then, open thebag 100 by pulling the pinchedfront wall 108 andback wall 110 apart from one another. Such mechanism may be referred to as “pinch-'n-pull”. The separation (i.e., pulling apart) of thefront wall 108 from theback wall 110 allows the open male and female interlockingmembers front wall 108 from theback wall 106 can cause thetop seal 104 to separate from within as desired by a user. - It is contemplated that different configurations of the front
wall connecting flange 140 associated with the first continuouselongated profile strip 136 and the backwall connecting flange 144 associated with the second continuouselongated profile strip 138 can be utilized to facilitate this pinch-'n-pull mechanism. As an example, in one embodiment (seeFIG. 8A ), the frontwall connecting flange 140 may be configured to have a height substantially similar to the height of the backwall connecting flange 144. In another embodiment (seeFIG. 8B ), backwall connecting flange 144 may be configured with an additional backwall connecting flange 844 so that the combined height of theflanges wall connecting flange 140. In another embodiment (seeFIG. 8C ), the frontwall connecting flange 140 may be configured with an additional frontwall connecting flange 840 so that the combined height of the frontwall connecting flange 140 and the additional frontwall connecting flange 840 is greater than the height of the backwall connecting flange 144. In yet another embodiment (seeFIG. 8D ), both the frontwall connecting flange 140 and the backwall connecting flange 144 may be, respectively, configured with an additional frontwall connecting flange 840 and an additional backwall connecting flange 844. Such a configuration as depicted inFIG. 8D can result in the combined heights offlanges flanges FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate embodiments of the reclosable bag in which the reclosable fastener assembly may include two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall connecting flange and a second continuous elongated profile strip having a back wall connecting flange, the flanges respectively extending upward, downward or both on the walls of the bag. -
FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of reclosable fastener assemblies that each include a male part and a female part. Eachreclosable fastener assembly 130 may includefasteners 928 that comprise a male part 962 and a female part 964, parts 962 and 964 being joined to each other as clearly seen inFIG. 9 . The distal ends of eachfastener 928 can be flattened so as to permit thefasteners 928 to be free and separate from anotheradjacent fastener 928. This “free and separate” relationship between adjacent ones of thefasteners 928 can be indicated byreference numeral 970. However, it is to be understood that adjacent fasteners can also be attached to each other, continuously or by spot tacking, dependent on actual operating conditions. Such a structure is considered to be within the scope of this invention. -
FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the reclosable bag having a frangible access portion to access the contents of the reclosable bag. In this embodiment, thefrangible access portion 154 is substantially parallel to thereclosable fastener assembly 130 and may be provided through the front wall of the reclosable bag by means of one or more score lines. Thefrangible access portion 154 is disposed within thebag body 102 adjacent to thereclosable fastener assembly 130. In this embodiment, thetop seal 104 is provided above thefrangible access portion 154, and abottom seal 106 is provided below thefrangible access portion 154. Suchfrangible access portion 154 may also be disposed below the backwall connecting seal 148. Upon tear opening, peel opening, or opening by delamination, thefrangible access portion 154 can expose thereclosable fastener assembly 130 from which a user can then gain access to the contents of thebag 102. Thefrangible access portion 154 may also be formed with a conventional perforating die, and can be disposed onfront wall 108 of thebag body 102 adjacent thereclosable fastener assembly 130 and above the continuous airtight and/or watertightlower seal 146. The continuous airtight and/or watertightlower seal 146 is disposed along the length of thereclosable fastener assembly 130 and may be positioned below the firstcontinuous profile strip 136 and the second continuous profile strip 138 (not shown). It is recognized that the characteristics of the firstcontinuous profile strip 136 and the secondcontinuous profile strip 138 associated with thereclosable fastener assembly 130 may include the features described above with respect to the earlier described figures. It is appreciated thatseal 146 may be placed such thatseal 146 connects thereclosable fastener assembly 130 to thefront wall 108. -
FIG. 11A illustrates an embodiment of a two-flanged reclosable bag having a re-sealablefirst zipper patch 1106 that includes a first zipper flangefront wall seal 1102 and a first zipper flange back wall seal 1104 (seeFIG. 11B ). The re-sealablefirst zipper patch 1106 may be affixed on thefront wall 108. The first zipper flangefront wall seal 1102 can then be made on thefirst zipper patch 1106 on the open web of film. The first zipper flange backwall seal 1104 can be made on asecond zipper patch 1140, while the tube of film is being formed into a bag. Of course, thefirst zipper patch 1106 and thesecond zipper patch 1140 can be interchanged such that thesecond zipper patch 1140 and its associated configurations can appear on thefront wall 108, while thefirst zipper patch 1106 and its associated configurations can appear on theback wall 110. The reclosable bag also incorporates azipper profile 1108, which may include amale interlocking profile 1120 and a female interlocking profile 1130 (seeFIG. 11C ). Themale interlocking profile 1120 may be attached to the back wall of the reclosable bag via thesecond zipper patch 1140. Themale interlocking profile 1120 may have a cross section in the shape of an arrowhead. Thefemale interlocking profile 1130 may be attached to thefront wall 108 via thefirst zipper patch 1106, and adjacent to themale interlocking profile 1120.FIG. 11B illustrates thereclosable bag 100 in a closed position, wherein thefemale interlocking profile 1130 may be configured with two curved members so as to form a channel in between the curved members such that the male interlocking member can be snappingly engaged to join male andfemale interlocking profiles reclosable bag 100.FIG. 11C shows thereclosable bag 100 in an open position, wherein themale interlocking member 1120 can be separated from thefemale interlocking profile 1130 with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward the top seal as when separating the male interlocking profile from the female interlocking profile in a direction toward the bottom seal. The configuration of the first zipper flangefront wall seal 1102 and the first zipper flange backwall seal 1104 causes a differential opening force, that is applied to the inside and/or outside the reclosable back-seam bag, to remain balanced. Therefore, when the reclosable back-seam bag is desired to be opened, a user may pinch thefront wall 108 and theback wall 110 using fingers of opposite hands, and then, open thebag 100 by pulling the pinchedfront wall 108 andback wall 110 apart from one another. Such mechanism may be referred to as “pinch-'n-pull”. The separation (i.e., pulling apart) of thefront wall 108 from theback wall 110 allows the interlocked male andfemale interlocking profile front wall 108 from theback wall 110 can cause thetop seal 104 to separate from within as desired by a user. The top seal may be configured to include a peelable seal such that the peelable seal can be peeled off when the bag is desired to be opened. In this or other embodiments, thetop seal 104 can be torn opened, peeled opened, or delaminated so as to open the reclosable bag. - In an embodiment, the
top seal 104 can be configured with an airtight and watertight seal that may be provided along an interconnection of a length of thefirst zipper patch 1106 and thesecond zipper patch 1140, and disposed in a location above the first zipper flangefront wall seal 1102 and the first zipper flange backwall seal 1104. In this embodiment, the bag, first zipper patch and second patch can comprise a polyethylene material. In another embodiment, thetop seal 104 can be configured with a permeable seal that may be provided along an interconnection of a length of thefirst zipper patch 1106 and thesecond zipper patch 1140. The permeable seal may be disposed in a location above the first zipper flangefront wall seal 1102 and the first zipper flange backwall seal 1104. In this embodiment, thebag 100,first zipper patch 1106 andsecond zipper patch 1140 can be comprise a polypropylene material. - The reclosable bag can also include a
frangible access portion 154 for exposing the contents of the reclosable bag. In this embodiment, thefrangible access portion 154 is substantially parallel to thefirst zipper patch 1106 and may be provided through thefront wall 108 of the reclosable bag by means of perforations. The reclosable bag can also contain one ormore score lines 158 that may be disposed in on thefront wall 108 and parallel to thefrangible access portion 154 and thefirst zipper patch 1106. Thefrangible access portion 154 is disposed on thefront wall 108 between a lower portion of thetop seal 104 and the upper portion of thefirst zipper patch 1106. Upon tear opening, thefrangible access portion 154 can then expose the contents of thebag 102. -
FIGS. 12A-12C illustrates an embodiment of a front view of a three-flanged reclosable bag having a first zipper flangefront wall seal 1102, a second zipper flangefront wall seal 1202 attached to the re-sealablefirst zipper patch 1106, and an first zipper flange backwall seal 1104 attached to a back wall zipper patch. The second zipper flangefront wall seal 1202 provides additional support to the re-sealablefirst zipper patch 1106 such that when a user desires to open the reclosable bag, by pulling a pinchedfront wall 108 apart from theback wall 110, an equal opening force may be exerted from the to the reclosable as well as to the user. As withFIGS. 11A-11C above, the first zipper flange front wall seals 1102 and the second zipper flangefront wall seal 1202 are made on thefirst zipper patch 1106 on open web. As illustrated inFIG. 12B , the first zipper flange backwall seal 1104 can be made on asecond zipper patch 1140.FIG. 12B also illustrates a side view profile of the reclosable bag when closed, wherein the curved members of thefemale interlocking profile 1130 are configured to form a channel such that themale interlocking member 1120 can be snappingly engaged to join the male andfemale interlocking profiles FIG. 12C illustrates a side view profile of the reclosable bag when opened, wherein themale interlocking member 1120 can be separated from thefemale interlocking profile 1130 with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward the top seal as when separating the male interlocking profile from the female interlocking profile in a direction toward the bottom seal. The second zipper flangefront wall seal 1202 provides additional support to the re-sealablefirst zipper patch 1106 for attachment to the reclosable bag so as to cause a differential opening force, applied to the inside and/or outside the reclosable back-seam bag, to remain balanced. The other features of thereclosable bag 100 have been previously described inFIGS. 11A-11C . -
FIGS. 13A-13C illustrates an embodiment of different views of a four-flanged reclosable bag having a first zipper flangefront wall seal 1102 and a second zipper flangefront wall seal 1202 attached to the re-sealablefirst zipper patch 1106, as well as a first zipper flange backwall seal 1104 and a second zipper flange backwall seal 1304. In this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 13A , front wall tack-down seals may 1360 be provided on thefirst zipper patch 1106 on open web (or during a zipper extrusion process). A corresponding number of back wall tack-downseals 1370 are provided as well as on thesecond zipper patch 1140. The tack-down seals may be configured as a light continuous seal that may be provided on thefirst zipper patch 1106 and thesecond zipper patch 1140. The front wall tack-downseals 1360 are configured to maintain the second zipper flange backwall seal 1304 in a close relationship to the second zipper flangefront wall seal 1202, so as to prevent thezipper profile 1108 from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture. Such jamming can occur during, for example, a manufacture process that can involve movement of a web through the reclosable bag, over forming collar and down a fill tube.FIG. 13B shows the front wall tack-downseals 1360 and the back wall tack-downseals 1370 in close proximity to one another when the reclosable bag is closed. Such engagement of the front wall tack-downseals 1360 and the back wall tack-downseals 1370 may be facilitated due to the configurations of each of these tack-down seals. The tack-down seals serve to maintain the second zipper flange backwall seal 1304 in a close proximity to the second zipper flangefront wall seal 1202 such that thefirst zipper patch 1106 and thesecond zipper patch 1140 are prevented from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture. As an example, the front wall tack-downseals 1360 can be configured to have a female profile configuration while the back wall tack-downseals 1370 can be configured to have a male profile configuration. Therefore, when the bag is closed, the front wall tack-downseals 1360 and the back wall tack-downseals 1370 can serve to maintain the second zipper flange backwall seal 1304 in a close proximity to the second zipper flangefront wall seal 1202.FIG. 13C illustrates a side view profile of the reclosable bag when opened, wherein themale interlocking member 1120 can be separated from thefemale interlocking profile 1130 with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward thetop seal 104 as when separating the male interlocking profile from the female interlocking profile in a direction toward the bottom seal. The four flanges (i.e., first zipper flangefront wall seal 1102, second zipper flangefront wall seal 1202, first zipper flange backwall seal 1104, and second zipper flange back wall seal 1304) combine to provide additional support to the reclosable bag so as to cause a differential opening force, applied to the inside and/or outside the reclosable back-seam bag, to remain balanced. The other features of thereclosable bag 100 have been previously described inFIGS. 11A-11C . -
FIGS. 14A-14C illustrates another embodiment of the reclosable bag that includes a flange-to-flange peelable adhesive or co-extruded bead attached to the re-sealablefirst zipper patch 1106. The embodiment described inFIGS. 13A-13C is similar to this embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 14A-14C except that the tack seals ofFIGS. 13A-13C are replaced with flange-to-flange peelable adhesive orco-extruded bead 1460. The flange-to-flange peelable adhesive orco-extruded bead 1460 are configured to maintain the second zipper flange backwall seal 1304 in a close relationship to the second zipper flangefront wall seal 1202, so as to prevent thefirst zipper patch 1106 and thesecond zipper patch 1140 from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture. Such jamming can occur during, for example, a manufacture process that can involve movement of a web through the reclosable bag, over forming collar and down a fill tube. The other features of thereclosable bag 100 have been previously described inFIGS. 11A-11C . - In another embodiment, either tack seals (
FIGS. 13A-13C ) or the flange-to-flange peelable adhesive orco-extruded bead 1460 ofFIGS. 14A-14C can be replaced with a frangible membrane that connects the front wall flanges with the back wall flanges. Suchfrangible membrane 1560, as illustrated inFIG. 15 , also serve to maintain the second zipper flange backwall seal 1304 in a close relationship to the second zipper flangefront wall seal 1202, so as to prevent thefirst zipper patch 1106 and thesecond zipper patch 1140 from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture. Such jamming can occur during, for example, a manufacture process that can involve movement of a web through the reclosable bag, over forming collar and down a fill tube. The other features of thereclosable bag 100 have been previously described inFIGS. 11A-11C . -
FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of a side view of a four-flanged (1102, 1104, 1202, 1304) reclosable bag in which the male interlocking member is provided in an open disengaged position when the top seal of the bag remains sealed. In this embodiment, themale interlocking member 1120 is disengaged from thefemale interlocking member 1130, while thetop seal 104 remains sealed. The bag may be easily opened by pinching the front andback walls bag 100 and simultaneously separating the walls until thetop seal 104 is ruptured or peeled open. The open configuration of the fastener profile (i.e., the male andfemale interlocking members 1120, 1130) facilitates such opening. The lengths of each of thefirst zipper patch 1106 and thesecond zipper patch 1140 may each be disposed to be shorter in length than the width of the bag. Subsequently, easy access is permitted from either the top of the bag, or from rupturing the frangible access portion 154 (not shown), and then, separating the fastener profile. It is contemplated that this configuration can be applicable for two-flanged and three-flanged reclosable bags as well. Further details of each of the fourflanges -
FIGS. 18A-18C illustrate different views of an embodiment of a four-flanged reclosable bag having a flange overlap configured with overlap seals. In this embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 18A and 18B for example, overlap seals 1860 may be provided on aflange overlap 1870, which can then be connected to at least one of thefirst zipper patch 1106 and/or thesecond zipper patch 1140 on open web (or during a zipper extrusion process), when the reclosable bag is in a closed position. As illustrated inFIG. 18B , when the reclosable bag is in a closed position, the overlap seals 1860 can be constructed and arranged to maintain the second zipper flange backwall seal 1304 in a close relationship to the second zipper flangefront wall seal 1202, so as to prevent thezipper profile 1108 from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture. Such jamming can occur during, for example, a manufacture process that can involve movement of a web through the reclosable bag, over forming collar and down a fill tube. The overlap seals 1860 may be configured to break open relatively easily when thebag 100 is opened by a user. In an embodiment,such overlap seals 1860 can be configured as at least one of tack-down seals, peelable adhesives, light continuous seal, and/or frangible membrane that may be provided on thefirst zipper patch 1106 and/or thesecond zipper patch 1140.FIG. 18C illustrates a side view profile of the reclosable bag when opened, wherein themale interlocking member 1120 can be separated from thefemale interlocking profile 1130 with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward thetop seal 104 as when separating the male interlocking profile from the female interlocking profile in a direction toward the bottom seal. In this embodiment, first zipper flangefront wall seal 1102 and second zipper flangefront wall seal 1202 are attached to the re-sealablefirst zipper patch 1106, and first zipper flange backwall seal 1104 and a second zipper flange backwall seal 1304 are attached to thesecond zipper patch 1140. Each of the four flanges (i.e., first zipper flangefront wall seal 1102, second zipper flangefront wall seal 1202, first zipper flange backwall seal 1104, and second zipper flange back wall seal 1304) as well as theflange overlap 1870 combine to provide additional support to the reclosable bag so as to cause a differential opening force, applied to the inside and/or outside the reclosable back-seam bag, to remain balanced. The other features of thereclosable bag 100 have been previously described inFIGS. 11A-11C . -
FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary machine that can be used to manufacture a reclosable back-seam bag described herein. Such reclosable back-seam bag machine may be configured by supplying a desired web material, whether single ply or laminated, to a form, fill andseal machine 1700. Such machines are well known in the art and may include a combination bag forming and fillingnozzle cylinder 1729 that can be adapted to receive products to be filled into the formed bags from ahopper 1730.Bag making web 1731, which may carry the reclosable fastener or zipper means 1727, can extend across the formation axis of the web at suitable longitudinal spaced intervals along the web, and may be guided by means of guide roller 1732 to the cylindrical outer surface of thecylinder 1729. - At the
cylinder 1729, a folding or wrapping arm device 1733 guides and wraps theweb 1731 about thecylinder 1729 with the longitudinal margins of the web brought together into a longitudinal, laminarclosure fin assembly 1734. Sealing of thefin assembly 1734 into a closure seam may be achieved by means of a pair ofvertical sealing bars 1735 which are movable into clamping and sealing engagement with theclosure fin assembly 1734, as indicated by the soliddirectional arrows 1737. Such vertical sealing bars may be configured with a sinusoidal wave seal (e.g., a sine wave seal 1750) that may serve to maintain the seals. Thebars 1735 are then separable as indicated by the dashedarrows 1738 to release the heat sealed seam section offin 1734 of the now closed bag forming tube of the web material. - The longitudinally sealed tube is advanced by bag length increments. Such advancement is achieved by means of a pair of horizontal, parallel bag
end sealing bars 1739, which operate by clampingly engaging the bag web tube below the end of the cylindrical forming and fillingnozzle member 1729 for simultaneously sealing the top end of a filledbag section 1720 and the bottom end of the next succeeding bag section. Suchhorizontal sealing bars 1739 may be configured with asine wave seal 1750 that may serve to maintain the seals. The sealing bars 1739 may be configured to grip the bag web tube, and then move downwardly by a bag section length as indicated by thedirectional arrow 1740, so as to pull and advance the entire bag making tube one bag increment downwardly. As this occurs, the next succeeding bag can be filled with product that may be dropped down thecylinder 1729 from thehopper 1730. As the sealing and pull downbars 1739 reach the lower end of their sealing and pulldown stroke, a severance means such as a cutoff bar 1741 can cut midway across the seal 1742 that has been effected by thebars 1739, thus releasing the previously filledbags 1720 which may then be handled as desired, such as to be packed for market. Having completed its downstroke, the sealing bar andcutoff device 1739, 1741 may return as indicated by the dasheddirectional arrow 1743 to its starting position adjacent to the lower end of thecylinder 1729. It will be understood, of course, that operation of thevertical sealing bars 1735, and the horizontal sealing andpulldown bars 1739 are operated in coordinated cyclical relation, as is well known in the art for form, fill and seal machines of this type. - While this disclosure includes particular examples, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.
Claims (59)
1. A reclosable back-seam bag, comprising:
a bag body having a top seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall, the front wall being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal;
a first zipper patch having at least a first zipper flange front wall seal disposed on the front wall, and a second zipper patch having a first zipper flange back wall seal disposed on the back wall,
said first zipper patch including a first zipper profile having a female interlocking profile,
said second zipper patch including second zipper profile having a male interlocking profile, said first zipper profile being releasably connected to said second zipper profile strip by engaging the male interlocking profile with the female interlocking profile,
wherein said male interlocking profile and said female interlocking profile are each configured to cause said male interlocking profile to be separated from said female interlocking profile with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward said top seal as when separated in a direction toward said bottom seal; and
at least one frangible access portion disposed substantially parallel to said zipper patch for exposing contents of the reclosable bag, said frangible access being disposed through said top seal of said bag body.
2. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 1 , wherein the first zipper flange front wall seal is configured to have a length substantially similar to a length of the first zipper flange back wall seal.
3. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 1 , wherein the first zipper patch is configured with a second zipper flange front wall seal disposed on the front wall such that the first zipper profile and the second zipper profile are prevented from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture.
4. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 1 , wherein the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are configured with tack-down seals to each other to maintain the second zipper flange back wall seal in a close proximity to the second zipper flange front wall seal such that the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are prevented from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture.
5. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 1 , wherein the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are configured with at least one peelable adhesive that adheres the second zipper flange front wall seal to the second zipper flange back wall seal, the at least one peelable adhesive being configured to maintain the second zipper flange back wall seal in close proximity to the second zipper flange back wall seal such that the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are prevented from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture.
6. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 1 , wherein the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are connected by a frangible membrane to maintain the second zipper flange back wall seal in close proximity to the second zipper flange front wall seal, and to prevent the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture of the reclosable bag.
7. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 1 , further comprising a flange overlap that is connected to at least one of the first zipper patch and/or the second zipper patch, the flange overlap being configured with at least one overlap seal that causes the flange overlap to adhere to at least one of the first zipper patch and/or the second zipper patch so as to maintain the second zipper flange front wall seal in close proximity to the second zipper flange back wall seal such that the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are prevented from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture.
8. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 1 , wherein the top seal comprises a peelable seal, the peelable seal being configured to be peeled open when the bag is opened.
9. A reclosable back-seam bag including a bag body having a top seal, a bottom seal, a front wall and a back wall, the front wall being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal, comprising:
a first zipper patch having a first zipper flange front wall seal disposed on the front wall, said first zipper patch including a female interlocking profile; and
a second zipper patch having a first zipper flange back wall seal disposed on the back wall, said second zipper patch including a male interlocking profile, the male interlocking profile constructed and arranged to be releasably connected with the female interlocking profile, said first and second zipper patches each being shorter in length than the width of said bag, and
wherein the male interlocking profile is disposed in a disengaged position relative to the female interlocking profile when the top seal is sealed and said bag is formed.
10. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 9 , further comprising:
at least one frangible access portion disposed substantially parallel to said first zipper patch for exposing contents of the reclosable bag, said frangible access being disposed through said top seal of said bag body.
11. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 10 , wherein the first zipper flange front wall seal is configured to have a length substantially similar to a length of the first zipper flange back wall seal.
12. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 10 , wherein the first zipper patch is configured with a second zipper flange front wall seal so that a combined height of the first zipper flange front wall seal and the second zipper flange front wall seal is greater than a height of the first zipper flange back wall seal.
13. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 10 , wherein the second zipper patch is configured with a second zipper flange back wall seal so that the combined height of the first zipper flange back wall seal and the second zipper flange back wall seal is greater than a height of the first zipper flange front wall seal.
14. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 10 , wherein the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are, respectively, configured with a second zipper flange front wall seal and a second zipper flange back wall seal.
15. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 14 , wherein the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are each configured with tack-down seals to maintain the second zipper flange back wall seal in a close proximity to the second zipper flange front wall seal such that the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are prevented from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture.
16. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 14 , wherein the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are each configured with at least one peelable adhesive that adheres the second zipper flange front wall seal to the second zipper flange back wall seal, the at least one peelable adhesive being configured to maintain the second zipper flange back wall seal in close proximity to the second zipper flange front wall seal such that the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are prevented from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture.
17. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 14 , wherein the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are each configured with a frangible membrane to maintain the second zipper flange back wall seal in close proximity to the second zipper flange front wall seal, and to prevent the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture of the reclosable bag.
18. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 14 , further comprising a flange overlap that is connected to at least one of the first zipper patch and/or the second zipper patch, the flange overlap being configured with at least one overlap seal that causes the flange overlap to adhere to at least one of the first zipper patch and/or the second zipper patch so as to maintain the second zipper flange front wall seal in close proximity to the second zipper flange back wall seal such that the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are prevented from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture.
19. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 10 , further comprising:
said first and second zipper patches forming, when interconnected, an airtight and watertight seal.
20. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 19 , wherein the bag, first zipper patch and second patch comprise a polyethylene material.
21. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 10 , further comprising:
a permeable seal along an interconnection of a length of the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch, the permeable seal being positioned above the first zipper flange front wall seal and the first zipper flange back wall seal.
22. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 21 , wherein the bag, first zipper patch and second patch comprise a polypropylene material.
23. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 10 , wherein the lengths of each of the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are each disposed to extend less than the width of the bag.
24. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 9 , wherein the top seal comprises a peelable seal, the peelable seal being configured to be peeled off when the bag is opened.
25. A method of opening a reclosable back-seam bag including a bag body having a top seal, a bottom seal, a front wall and a back wall, the front wall being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal, a first zipper patch including a female interlocking profile, and a second zipper patch including a male interlocking profile, the method comprising:
pinching the front wall and the back wall;
simultaneously separating each of pinched front wall and back wall; and
tearing, peeling or delaminating open the top seal, based on a force exerted from the separating, with the male interlocking profile and the female interlocking profile being disengaged relative to each other prior to and during said separation.
26. A method of manufacturing a reclosable back-seam bag, comprising:
making a bag body having a top portion, a bottom portion, a front wall and a back wall, the front wall being joined to the back wall at the top portion and the bottom portion;
sealing a first zipper patch on the front wall, the front zipper patch including a female interlocking profile;
sealing a second zipper patch on the back wall, the second zipper patch including a male interlocking profile; and
sealing the top portion to form a top seal and the bottom portion to form a bottom seal, wherein the male interlocking profile is disengaged from the female interlocking profile when the top seal is sealed.
27. A method of manufacturing a reclosable back-seam bag, comprising:
making a bag body having a top portion, a bottom portion, a front wall and a back wall, the front wall being joined to the back wall at the top portion and the bottom portion;
sealing, via a sinusoidal seal, a first zipper patch on the front wall, the front zipper patch including a female interlocking profile;
sealing, via a sinusoidal seal, a second zipper patch on the back wall, the second zipper patch including a male interlocking profile; and
sealing, via a sinusoidal seal, the top portion to form a top seal and the bottom portion to form a bottom seal, wherein the male interlocking profile is disengaged from the female interlocking profile when the top seal is sealed.
28. The method according to claim 27 , wherein the sinusoidal seal comprises a sine wave seal.
29. A reclosable back-seam bag, comprising:
a bag body having a top seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall, the front wall being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal,
the back wall being formed from a rectangular sheet of film folded along two longitudinal folds, and having overlapped and sealed edges of the rectangular sheet to form said back seam, said rectangular sheet having an inside surface, and said back wall having two sides, each side being defined between said back seam and a respective one of said longitudinal folds;
a reclosable fastener including two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip and a second continuous elongated profile strip, said first continuous elongated profile strip being releasably connected to said second continuous elongated profile strip,
said first continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall connecting flange and at least one gripping flange, both said front wall connecting flange and said gripping flange having a width greater than a width of said first continuous elongated profile strip,
said second continuous elongated profile strip having a back wall connecting flange, said back wall connecting flange having a width greater than a width of said second continuous elongated profile strip,
the length of said reclosable fastener being less than the combined lengths of said two sides that form said back panel;
said front wall connecting flange being connected to said inside surface of said rectangular sheet and said front wall of said bag body at a front wall seal, said front wall seal being substantially parallel to said top seal and spaced between said bottom seal and said profile strips,
said back wall connecting flange being connected to said inside surface of said rectangular sheet and said back wall at a back wall connecting seal, said back wall connecting seal being spaced between said profile strips and said top seal;
a side seal at each end of said reclosable fastener, each said side seal connecting an end of said reclosable fastener to the inside surface of said rectangular sheet of film inwardly of said longitudinal folds of said bag body thereby preventing air or liquids from entering or leaving said bag through said ends of said reclosable fastener, and each said side seal being provided to said reclosable fastener prior to attachment of said reclosable fastener to said front wall and said back wall, without said side seal being sealed again to connect the ends of said reclosable fastener to said inside surface of said front wall and an inside surface of said back wall; and
a frangible access portion substantially parallel to said reclosable fastener for exposing said releasable fastener, said frangible access portion being disposed on said front wall and on said back wall of said bag body adjacent said reclosable fastener and above said back wall connecting seal.
30. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29 , wherein said frangible access portion comprises a plurality of perforations.
31. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29 , wherein said first continuous elongated profile strip and said second continuous elongated profile strip each have respective back portions thereof, and in which said first continuous elongated profile strip back portion can pivot in relation to said inside surface of said rectangular sheet.
32. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29 , wherein said first continuous elongated profile strip and said second continuous elongated profile strip each have respective back portions thereof, and in which said second continuous elongated profile strip back portion can pivot in relation to said inside surface of said rectangular sheet.
33. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29 , wherein said first continuous elongated profile strip and said second continuous elongated profile strip each have respective back portions thereof, in which said first continuous elongated profile strip back portion can move in relation to said inside surface of said rectangular sheet, and in which said second continuous elongated profile strip back portion can pivot in relation to said inside surface of said rectangular sheet.
34. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29 , wherein said reclosable fastener ends are substantially flattened ends.
35. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29 , wherein said at least one gripping flange includes at least one continuous rib disposed at a distal end of said at least one gripping flange.
36. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29 , wherein said gripping flange includes a plurality of continuous, substantially parallel ribs disposed on said at least one gripping flange.
37. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29 , wherein said first continuous profile strip, said gripping flange and said bag wall connecting flange comprise a single, extruded, flexible polymeric material.
38. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29 , wherein said second continuous profile strip and said back wall connecting flange comprise an extruded, flexible polymeric material.
39. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29 , wherein said gripping flange and said bag wall connecting flange comprise a web and in which said first continuous profile strip is sealed to said web.
40. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29 , wherein the height of said gripping flange is substantially less than the height of said back wall connecting flange.
41. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29 , wherein the height of said gripping flange is substantially less than half the height of said back wall connecting flange.
42. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29 , wherein said back wall connecting flange is of a sufficient thickness to provide for sealing of said back wall connecting flange to said back wall while not permitting sealing of said back wall connecting flange to said front wall.
43. A reclosable back-seam bag, comprising:
a bag body having a top seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall, the front wall being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal; and
a reclosable fastener including two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall connecting flange and a second continuous elongated profile strip having a back wall connecting flange,
said first continuous elongated profile strip having a male interlocking profile including at least one male interlocking member,
said second continuous elongated profile strip having a female interlocking profile including at least one female interlocking member, said first continuous elongated profile strip being releasably connected to said second continuous elongated profile strip by engaging the male interlocking member with the female interlocking member,
wherein said male interlocking member is being configured so as to cause said male interlocking profile to be separated from said female interlocking profile with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward said top seal as when separated in a direction toward said bottom seal.
44. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 43 , wherein said front wall connecting flange has a height greater than a height of said first continuous elongated profile strip.
45. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 43 , wherein said back wall connecting flange has a height greater than a height of said second continuous elongated profile strip.
46. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 43 , wherein said the back wall is configured to be formed from a rectangular sheet of film folded along two longitudinal folds, and having overlapped and sealed edges of the rectangular sheet to form said back seam, said rectangular sheet having an inside surface, and said back wall having two sides, each side being defined between said back seam and a respective one of said longitudinal folds.
47. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 43 , wherein the front wall connecting flange is configured to have a length substantially similar to a length of the back wall connecting flange.
48. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 43 , wherein the back wall connecting flange is configured with an additional back wall connecting flange so that a combined length of the back wall connecting flange and the additional back wall connecting flange is greater than a length of the front wall connecting flange.
49. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 43 , wherein the front wall connecting flange is configured with an additional front wall connecting flange so that the combined length of the front wall connecting flange and the additional front wall connecting flange is greater than the length of the back wall connecting flange.
50. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 43 , wherein the front wall connecting flange and the back wall connecting flange are respectively configured with an additional front wall connecting flange and an additional back wall connecting flange.
51. A reclosable back-seam bag, comprising:
a bag body having a top seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall, the front wall being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal;
a reclosable fastener including two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip associated with the front wall and a second continuous elongated profile strip associated with the back wall,
said first continuous elongated profile strip having a male interlocking profile including at least one male interlocking member,
said second continuous elongated profile strip having a female interlocking profile including at least one female interlocking member, said first continuous elongated profile strip being releasably connected to said second continuous elongated profile strip by engaging the male interlocking member with the female interlocking member,
wherein said male interlocking member is being configured so as to cause said male interlocking profile to be separated from said female interlocking profile with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward said top seal as when separated in a direction toward said bottom seal; and
at least one frangible access portion disposed substantially parallel to said reclosable fastener assembly for exposing said releasable fastener assembly, said frangible access being disposed on said front wall of said bag body.
52. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 51 , wherein said at least one frangible access portion is disposed adjacent said reclosable fastener assembly.
53. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 51 , wherein said at least one frangible access portion is disposed between a lower portion of said reclosable fastener assembly and said bottom seal.
54. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 51 , wherein said at least one frangible access includes a first frangible access portion disposed adjacent said reclosable fastener assembly, and a second frangible access portion disposed between a lower portion of said reclosable fastener assembly and said bottom seal.
55. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 51 , wherein said frangible access portion includes at least one or more score lines.
56. A reclosable bag, comprising:
a bag body having a top seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall, the front wall being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal,
the back wall being formed from a rectangular sheet of film folded along two longitudinal folds, and having overlapped and sealed edges of the rectangular sheet to form said side seam, said rectangular sheet having an inside surface, and said back wall having two sides, each side being defined between said side seam and a respective one of said longitudinal folds;
a reclosable fastener including two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip and a second continuous elongated profile strip, said first continuous elongated profile strip being releasably connected to said second continuous elongated profile strip,
said first continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall connecting flange and at least one gripping flange, both said front wall connecting flange and said gripping flange having a width greater than a width of said first continuous elongated profile strip,
said second continuous elongated profile strip having a back wall connecting flange, said back wall connecting flange having a width greater than a width of said second continuous elongated profile strip,
the length of said reclosable fastener being less than the combined lengths of said two sides that form said back panel;
said front wall connecting flange being connected to said inside surface of said rectangular sheet and said front wall of said bag body at a front wall seal, said front wall seal being substantially parallel to said top seal and spaced between said bottom seal and said profile strips,
said back wall connecting flange being connected to said inside surface of said rectangular sheet and said back wall at a back wall connecting seal, said back wall connecting seal being spaced between said profile strips and said top seal;
a side seal at each end of said reclosable fastener, each said side seal connecting an end of said reclosable fastener to the inside surface of said rectangular sheet of film inwardly of said longitudinal folds of said bag body thereby preventing air or liquids from entering or leaving said bag through said ends of said reclosable fastener, and each said side seal being provided to said reclosable fastener prior to attachment of said reclosable fastener to said front wall and said back wall, without said side seal being sealed again to connect the ends of said reclosable fastener to said inside surface of said front wall and an inside surface of said back wall; and
a frangible access portion substantially parallel to said reclosable fastener for exposing said releasable fastener, said frangible access portion being disposed on said front wall and on said back wall of said bag body adjacent said reclosable fastener and above said back wall connecting seal.
57. The reclosable bag according to claim 56 , wherein said side seam is configured with at least two separate webs of film around the periphery or sides of said bag body.
58. A reclosable bag, comprising:
a bag body having a top seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall, the front wall being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal,
the back wall being formed from one web of film folded along a longitudinal fold to form two half webs of film, and having top edges of each of the two half webs of film sealed together to form a side seam, and said back wall having two sides, each side being defined between said side seam and a respective one of said longitudinal folds;
a reclosable fastener including two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip and a second continuous elongated profile strip, said first continuous elongated profile strip being releasably connected to said second continuous elongated profile strip,
said first continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall connecting flange and at least one gripping flange, both said front wall connecting flange and said gripping flange having a width greater than a width of said first continuous elongated profile strip,
said second continuous elongated profile strip having a back wall connecting flange, said back wall connecting flange having a width greater than a width of said second continuous elongated profile strip,
the length of said reclosable fastener being less than the combined lengths of said two sides that form said back panel;
said front wall connecting flange being connected to said inside surface of said one web of film and said front wall of said bag body at a front wall seal, said front wall seal being substantially parallel to said top seal and spaced between said bottom seal and said profile strips,
said back wall connecting flange being connected to said inside surface of said one web of film and said back wall at a back wall connecting seal, said back wall connecting seal being spaced between said profile strips and said top seal;
a side seal at each end of said reclosable fastener, each said side seal connecting an end of said reclosable fastener to the inside surface of said one web of film inwardly of said longitudinal folds of said bag body thereby preventing air or liquids from entering or leaving said bag through said ends of said reclosable fastener, and each said side seal being provided to said reclosable fastener prior to attachment of said reclosable fastener to said front wall and said back wall, without said side seal being sealed again to connect the ends of said reclosable fastener to said inside surface of said front wall and an inside surface of said back wall; and
a frangible access portion substantially parallel to said reclosable fastener for exposing said releasable fastener, said frangible access portion being disposed on said front wall and on said back wall of said bag body adjacent said reclosable fastener and above said back wall connecting seal.
59. A reclosable bag, comprising:
a bag body having a top seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall, the front wall being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal,
the back wall being formed from two webs of film that are sealed together along respective edges of the two webs of film to form four side seams, each of said two webs of film having an inside surface, and said back wall having two sides, each side being defined between each of said four side seams and a respective one of said two webs of film;
a reclosable fastener including two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip and a second continuous elongated profile strip, said first continuous elongated profile strip being releasably connected to said second continuous elongated profile strip,
said first continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall connecting flange and at least one gripping flange, both said front wall connecting flange and said gripping flange having a width greater than a width of said first continuous elongated profile strip,
said second continuous elongated profile strip having a back wall connecting flange, said back wall connecting flange having a width greater than a width of said second continuous elongated profile strip,
the length of said reclosable fastener being less than the combined lengths of said two sides that form said back panel;
said front wall connecting flange being connected to said inside surface of each of said two webs of film and said front wall of said bag body at a front wall seal, said front wall seal being substantially parallel to said top seal and spaced between said bottom seal and said profile strips,
said back wall connecting flange being connected to said inside surface of each of said two webs of film and said back wall at a back wall connecting seal, said back wall connecting seal being spaced between said profile strips and said top seal;
a side seal at each end of said reclosable fastener, each said side seal connecting an end of said reclosable fastener to the inside surface of each of said two webs of film inwardly of said bag body thereby preventing air or liquids from entering or leaving said bag through said ends of said reclosable fastener, and each said side seal being provided to said reclosable fastener prior to attachment of said reclosable fastener to said front wall and said back wall, without said side seal being sealed again to connect the ends of said reclosable fastener to said inside surface of said front wall and an inside surface of said back wall; and
a frangible access portion substantially parallel to said reclosable fastener for exposing said releasable fastener, said frangible access portion being disposed on said front wall and on said back wall of said bag body adjacent said reclosable fastener and above said back wall connecting seal.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/356,667 US20110235951A1 (en) | 1998-07-17 | 2009-01-21 | Reclosable bag with tear open feature |
Applications Claiming Priority (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/118,575 US6098369A (en) | 1998-07-17 | 1998-07-17 | Apparatus for attaching a reclosable fastener to a flexible material |
US09/257,560 US6117060A (en) | 1998-07-17 | 1999-02-25 | Continuous supply of preformed reclosable fasteners |
US41569699A | 1999-10-12 | 1999-10-12 | |
US09/660,210 US6726612B1 (en) | 1998-07-17 | 2000-09-12 | Continuous supply of preformed reclosable fasteners |
US10/788,093 US20040167003A1 (en) | 1998-07-17 | 2004-02-26 | Continuous supply of preformed reclosable fasteners |
US10/831,989 US8002467B2 (en) | 1999-10-12 | 2004-04-26 | Reclosable fastener profile seal and method of forming a fastener profile assembly |
US12/356,667 US20110235951A1 (en) | 1998-07-17 | 2009-01-21 | Reclosable bag with tear open feature |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/788,093 Continuation-In-Part US20040167003A1 (en) | 1998-07-17 | 2004-02-26 | Continuous supply of preformed reclosable fasteners |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20110235951A1 true US20110235951A1 (en) | 2011-09-29 |
Family
ID=44656576
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/356,667 Abandoned US20110235951A1 (en) | 1998-07-17 | 2009-01-21 | Reclosable bag with tear open feature |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20110235951A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
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GB2513375A (en) * | 2013-04-25 | 2014-10-29 | Ignatius Penna | A bag |
US20170113821A1 (en) * | 2014-03-27 | 2017-04-27 | Velteko S.R.O. | Method for the production of the film tube bag and the vertical form fill seal packaging machine to implement the method |
WO2019231894A1 (en) * | 2018-05-29 | 2019-12-05 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Method of feeding web and reclosures to a form fill seal machine |
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