U.S. patent application number 10/336935 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-05 for tamper evident resealable packaging.
Invention is credited to Ausnit, Steven, Crevier, Donald L., Hogan, Robert E., McMahon, Michael, Plourde, Eric P., Schneider, John H., Share, Lawrence.
Application Number | 20030103687 10/336935 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25062396 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030103687 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schneider, John H. ; et
al. |
June 5, 2003 |
Tamper evident resealable packaging
Abstract
A reclosable package has a first wall and a second wall opposite
to the front wall. A first zipper profile including a first
interlocking member is attached to the first wall and a second
profile having a second interlocking member, engageable with the
first interlocking member, is attached to the second wall. A slider
is positioned on the profiles for movement along the profiles from
side to side of the package. Package material is provided which
must be removed or ruptured to permit operation of the slider or to
provide access to the package contents. In either event, the steps
needed to permit the initial access to the package contents leave
clear evidence for a consumer that the package has been opened.
Inventors: |
Schneider, John H.;
(Frankfort, IL) ; Crevier, Donald L.; (Essex,
IL) ; Ausnit, Steven; (New York, NY) ;
McMahon, Michael; (Palatine, IL) ; Share,
Lawrence; (Skokie, IL) ; Plourde, Eric P.;
(Homewood, IL) ; Hogan, Robert E.; (Burr Ridge,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PITNEY, HARDIN, KIPP & SZUCH LLP
685 THIRD AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10017-4024
US
|
Family ID: |
25062396 |
Appl. No.: |
10/336935 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10336935 |
Jan 6, 2003 |
|
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|
09761500 |
Jan 16, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/5 ; 383/211;
383/61.2; 383/64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/2516
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/5 ; 383/64;
383/61.2; 383/211 |
International
Class: |
B65D 033/16 |
Claims
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
1. A reclosable package having a top, bottom, and sides, said
package comprising: a first wall and a second wall opposite to said
first wall; a first zipper profile having a first interlocking
member and a first flange portion, said first flange portion being
attached to said first wall along a line extending substantially
from side to side of said package; a second zipper profile having a
second interlocking member engageable with said first interlocking
member and a second flange portion, said second flange being
attached to said second wall along a line extending substantially
from side to side of said package; and at least one of said walls
and flange portions including a wall segment beyond the attachment
line of said wall to its associated flange portion, said segment
extending over said profiles' interlocking members to a frangible
connection with an opposite one of said walls.
2. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 1 further
comprising a slider disposed upon said interlocking members for
movement from side to side of said package between a zipper fully
open and a zipper fully closed position, said at least one segment
extending over said slider.
3. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 2 wherein a
first segment extends from said first wall; a second segment
extends from said second wall and said frangible connection
comprises a peel seal joining said first and second segments.
4. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 2 wherein a
first segment extends from said first wall; a second segment
extends from said second wall and said frangible connection
comprises a strip of peel seal, said strip having one surface
attached to said first segment and an opposite surface attached to
said second segment.
5. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 2 wherein a
first segment extends from said first wall; a second segment
extends from said second wall, said first and second segments being
sealed to one another along a finned section and said frangible
connection comprises a line of perforations extending below said
finned section.
6. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 2 further
comprising a notch cut extending below said finned section at one
side of said package in line with said line of perforations.
7. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 2 wherein a
first segment extends from said first profile flange; a second
segment extends from said second profile flange and said frangible
connection comprises a peel seal joining said first and second
segments.
8. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 2 further
comprising a second peel seal below said interlocking members
joining one of said first wall and first flange portion to one of
said second wall and second flange portion.
9. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 8 wherein said
second peel seal joins said first and second walls.
10. A reclosable package having a top, bottom, and sides, said
package comprising: a first wall and a second wall opposite to said
first wall; a first zipper profile having a first interlocking
member and a first flange portion, said first flange portion being
attached to said first wall along a line extending substantially
from side to side of said package; a second zipper profile having a
second interlocking member engageable with said first interlocking
member and a second flange portion, said second flange being
attached to said second wall along a line extending substantially
from side to side of said package; and a sealing strip within said
package extending from side to side and from wall to wall of the
package, said sealing strip being joined by a frangible connection
to at least one of said walls.
11. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 10 further
comprising a slider disposed upon said interlocking members for
movement from side to side of said package between a zipper fully
open and a zipper fully closed position, said at least one segment
extending over said slider.
12. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 11 wherein said
sealing strip is hard sealed to said second wall; and said
frangible connection comprises a peel seal joining said sealing
strip to said first wall.
13. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 11 wherein said
sealing strip includes a first portion joined to said first wall
and a second portion joined to said second wall; and said frangible
connection comprises a peel seal joining said first portion to said
second portion.
14. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 12 further
comprising a longitudinal fold in said sealing strip, said fold
being directed away from said interlocking members.
15. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 13 wherein one
of said sealing strip portions includes a longitudinal fold, said
fold being directed away from said interlocking members.
16. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 12 wherein said
seal strip is arched toward said interlocking members.
17. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 12 wherein said
seal strip of material is loosely fan-folded longitudinally, said
folds extending toward and away from said interlocking members.
18. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 11 wherein said
sealing strip is hard sealed to said first wall and hard sealed to
said second wall; and said frangible connection comprises a line of
perforations extending longitudinally along said sealing strip.
19. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 18 further
comprising a cap overlying said line of perforations.
20. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 18 wherein said
sealing strip is longitudinally arched toward said interlocking
members.
21. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 12 wherein said
sealing strip is longitudinally folded and said peel seal extends
substantially along said fold; and further comprising a hard seal
joining said sealing strip to said second profile flange.
22. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 21 further
comprising an arch formed between said peel seal and said hard seal
joining said sealing strip to said second wall.
23. A reclosable package having a top, bottom, and sides, said
package comprising: a first wall and a second wall opposite to said
first wall; a first zipper profile having a first interlocking
member and a first flange portion, said first flange portion being
attached to said first wall along a line extending substantially
from side to side of said package; a second zipper profile having a
second interlocking member engageable with said first interlocking
member and a second flange portion, said second flange being
attached to said second wall along a line extending substantially
from side to side of said package; a slider disposed upon said
interlocking members for movement from side to side of said package
between a zipper fully open and a zipper fully closed position; and
a header secured to said package and containing said zipper
profiles and slider, said header being joined by a frangible
connection to at least one of said walls or one of said profile
flanges.
24. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 23 wherein said
header is connected by a first hard seal to said first wall, by a
second hard seal to said second wall and said frangible connection
comprises a line of perforations extending longitudinally along
said header between said first hard seal and said second hard
seal.
25. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 24 wherein said
line of perforations is covered by a cap strip.
26. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 23 wherein said
header comprises a first segment joined to said first wall by a
first hard seal, a second segment joined to said second wall by a
second hard seal and said frangible connection comprises a peel
seal joining edges of said first and second segments respectively
opposite to said first and second hard seals.
27. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 23 wherein said
frangible connection comprises a peel seal joining said header to
one of said walls.
28. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 27 wherein the
header is joined to the other of said walls by a hard seal.
29. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 27 wherein said
header is also joined to the other of said walls by a second peel
seal.
30. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 27 further
comprising a flap extending between said peel seal and a free edge
of said header.
31. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 29 further
comprising a first flap extending between said peel seal and a
first free edge of said header and a second flap extending between
said second peel seal and an opposite free edge of said header.
32. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 23 wherein said
header comprises a first segment joined to said first wall by a
first peel seal, a second segment joined to said second wall by a
second peel, and a hard seal joining edges of said first and second
segments respectively opposite to said first and second peel
seals.
33. A reclosable package having a top, bottom, and sides, said
package comprising: a first wall and a second wall opposite to said
first wall; a first zipper profile having a first interlocking
member and a first flange portion, said first flange portion being
attached to said first wall along a line extending substantially
from side to side of said package; a second zipper profile having a
second interlocking member engageable with said first interlocking
member and a second flange portion, said second flange being
attached to said second wall along a line extending substantially
from side to side of said package; a slider disposed upon said
interlocking members for movement from side to side of said package
between a zipper fully open and a zipper fully closed position; and
a strip of film material peeled sealed to top ends of said first
and second zipper profiles, said strip being disposed in the path
of movement of said slider and preventing movement of said
slider.
34. A reclosable package having a top, bottom, and sides, said
package comprising: a first wall and a second wall opposite to said
first wall; a first zipper profile having a first interlocking
member and a first flange portion, said first flange portion being
attached by a first hard seal to said first wall along a line
extending substantially from side to side of said package; a second
zipper profile having a second interlocking member engageable with
said first interlocking member and a second flange portion, said
second flange being attached by a second hard seal to said second
wall along a line extending substantially from side to side of said
package; said first flange portion having an extension beyond said
first hard seal; and a frangible connection between said extension
and at least one of said second wall and second flange portion.
35. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 34 further
comprising a slider disposed upon said interlocking members for
movement from side to side of said package between a zipper fully
open and a zipper fully closed position.
36. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 35 wherein said
extension is within the package and sealed to said second flange
along a third hard seal and sealed to said first flange along a
fourth hard seal and said frangible connection comprises a first
line of perforations in said extension between said third hard seal
and said fourth hard seal and a second line of perforations in said
extension between said first hard seal and said third hard
seal.
37. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 35 wherein said
extension extends over the top of the package and is joined to said
second wall by a peel seal forming said frangible connection.
38. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 35 wherein said
extension extends over the top of the package and is joined to said
second flange portion by a peel seal forming said frangible
connection.
39. A reclosable package having a top, bottom, and sides, said
package comprising: a first wall and a second wall opposite to said
first wall; a first zipper profile having a first interlocking
member and a first flange portion, said first flange portion being
attached to said first wall along a line extending substantially
from side to side of said package; a second zipper profile having a
second interlocking member engageable with said first interlocking
member and a second flange portion, said second flange being
attached to said second wall along a line extending substantially
from side to side of said package; a slider disposed upon said
interlocking members for movement from side to side of said package
between a zipper fully open and a zipper fully closed position; and
a flap extending from said second wall over the top of said package
adjacent to said slider and preventing movement of said slider,
said flap being secured in position by a frangible connection.
40. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 39 wherein said
flap is attached to said second wall by a hard seal and to said
first profile by a peel seal.
41. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 40 comprising
an extension of said flap between said peel seal and a free end of
said flap.
42. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 40 wherein said
peel seal attaches said flap to said first profile flange.
43. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 42 comprising
an extension of said flap between said peel seal and a free end of
said flap.
44. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 39 wherein said
flap includes a first segment attached to said first wall by a hard
seal, a second segment attached to said second wall by a hard seal
and said frangible connection comprises a peel seal joining said
first and second segments.
45. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 3 wherein free
edges of said first and second segments extend beyond said peel
seal.
46. The reclosable package in accordance with claim 39 wherein said
slider is disposed at a fully closed end of said package and said
flap is positioned behind an opening end of said slider.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to reclosable packaging and in
particular to such packaging wherein indicia is provided to
indicate the first opening of the package.
[0002] Zipper packaging is becoming more and more prevalent as the
primary packaging for foodstuffs and other consumer products. Such
packages readily lend themselves to being opened by the consumer
and reclosed after some portion of the package is removed,
rendering the remainder of the package contents readily storable in
the original package. Unfortunately the zipper alone does not
afford protection against potential tampering with the package
contents and hence the need has arisen for manufacturers to provide
on such zipper packaging tamper evidence to alert the consumer to a
first opening of the package. Such tamper evidence discourages
potential tampering of the product prior to sale and alerts the
consumer if the package has already been opened, regardless of
whether the zipper is open or closed. The problem of providing a
tamper evident zipper is exacerbated where the zipper is to be
provided with a slider. While a slider facilitates a consumer
opening and reclosing the package and hence is desirable in some
instances, the slider makes it difficult for the manufacturer to
employ conventional techniques to render the package tamper
evident.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In view of the above, it is a principal object of the
present invention to provide an improved zipper package
construction which requires some permanent change of the package
appearance to enable the first opening of the package by the
purchaser of the package.
[0004] A further object is to provide such a package wherein the
package is "user friendly" in that the steps necessary for the
initial opening of the package prior to the use of the zipper must
be obvious or intuitive to the consumer.
[0005] A still further object is to provide a package that may be
formed on conventional packaging equipment with little or no
modification of the equipment required.
[0006] Still another object is to provide, in cases where the
zipper packaging includes a slider, a tamper evident feature that
is compatible with the slider being present. Similarly, where the
package contents require hermetic sealing, it is desirable that the
tamper evident feature also permit such hermetic sealing.
[0007] The above and other objects and advantages are attained in
accordance with the present invention by providing a reclosable
packaging having a first wall and a second wall opposite to the
front wall. A first zipper profile including a first interlocking
member is attached to the first wall and a second profile having a
second interlocking member, engageable with the first interlocking
member, is attached to the second wall. A slider is positioned on
the profiles for movement along the profiles from side to side of
the package. The slider serves to disengage the profile
interlocking members when moved in the direction of the closing end
of the slider and to engage the profile interlocking members when
moved in the direction of the opening end of the slider.
[0008] In accordance with the present invention the slider is
either contained within or blocked from movement along the profile
interlocking members by package material which must be removed or
ruptured to permit operation of the slider or to provide access to
the package contents. In either event, the steps needed to permit
the initial access to the package contents leave clear evidence for
a consumer that the package has been opened.
[0009] In a first embodiment of the invention, portions of the
package walls extend over and about the slider and must be removed
or ruptured to provide access to the slider. The portions may
comprise extensions of the package wall material or may comprise
portions of the zipper profiles.
[0010] In a second embodiment, a web of material extends across the
package below the zipper profiles' interlocking members. The web
may be connected to the package walls or to flanges of one or both
of the zipper profiles.
[0011] In a third embodiment a header is added to the package
enclosing the profiles' interlocking members and the slider. For a
consumer to obtain access to the slider the header must be removed
or ruptured.
[0012] In a fourth embodiment flanges of one or both of the zipper
profiles are used to encapsulate the package contents, either above
or below the profiles' interlocking members.
[0013] In a fifth embodiment the zipper slider is constrained from
movement along the profiles by a strip of material or a flap that
must be removed before the slider can be moved from its initial
closed position to an open position.
[0014] In each of the above cases, the steps that must be taken
before the initial opening of the package results in a physical
altering of the sealed package which may readily be observed by a
consumer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In the accompanying drawings:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of
a package in accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIGS. 2-6 are alternative fragmentary sectional views taken
off FIG. 1 in the direction indicated by the arrows;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of
a package in accordance with the present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 8-14 are alternative fragmentary sectional views taken
off FIG. 7 in the direction indicated by the arrows;
[0020] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a modification of the
second embodiment of a package in accordance with the present
invention;
[0021] FIGS. 16 and 17 are alternative fragmentary sectional views
taken off FIG. 15 in the direction indicated by the arrows;
[0022] FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of
a package in accordance with the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 19-23 are alternative fragmentary sectional views
taken off FIG. 18 in the direction indicated by the arrows;
[0024] FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of a modification of the
fifth embodiment of a package in accordance with the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 25 is a fragmentary sectional view taken off FIG. 24 in
the direction indicated by the arrows;
[0026] FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment
of a package in accordance with the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 27 is a fragmentary sectional view taken off FIG. 26 in
the direction indicated by the arrows;
[0028] FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of a modification of the
fourth embodiment of a package in accordance with the present
invention;
[0029] FIGS. 29 and 30 are alternative fragmentary sectional views
taken off FIG. 28 in the direction indicated by the arrows;
[0030] FIG. 31 is a front perspective view of a fifth embodiment of
a package in accordance with the present invention; and
[0031] FIGS. 32-34 are alternative fragmentary sectional views
taken off FIG. 31 in the direction indicated by the arrows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Reference is now made to the drawings wherein similar
elements bear the same reference numerals throughout the several
views. In FIGS. 1-6 a first embodiment of the package 110 of the
present invention is depicted in several alternative
configurations. The package 110 is in the form of a package having
a front wall 12 and a rear wall 14 that is opposite to the front
wall. The package further has a bottom end 16, a top end 18 and
sides 20,22. A zipper 24 is provided at the package top. A slider
26 is provided on the zipper to facilitate its opening and closing.
To this end, moving the zipper slider toward one side 22 disengages
the interlocking elements of the zipper profiles and moving the
slider toward the opposite side 20 brings the interlocking elements
of the zipper profiles into engagement.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2-6, it can be seen that the zipper 24
consists of a first profile 28 and a second profile 30. Profile 28
is provided with a first interlocking member 32 and profile 30 is
provided with a second interlocking member 34 that is engageable
with the first interlocking element 32. Numerous configurations for
the interlocking members 32, 34 are well known in the art. Profile
28 further includes a flange 36 that extends toward the interior of
the package and profile 30 includes a similar flange 38. In
accordance with this first embodiment of the present invention each
of the flanges 36, 38 is attached to its associated package wall
12,14 by a "hard" seal, 40, 42 that is a seal that is not intended
to be broken. Further, each of the package walls 12, 14 includes a
portion 44, 46 that extends past over the seal points 40, 42. The
portions 44, 46 extend over the zipper and are joined by a seal 48
so as to form a header that encloses the zipper 24 and slider
26.
[0034] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the seal 48 of package 110a is
a peel seal that may readily be ruptured by a consumer to expose
the zipper 24 and slider 26. To facilitate opening, the free edges
of the walls may extend beyond the peel seal. In the embodiment of
FIG. 3, the seal 50 of package 110b is a strip of peel seal
material connected to both portions 44 and 46. Whereas the peel
seal 48 separates from one of the portions 44, and status on the
other portion 46 as the package 110a is initially opened, the peel
strip 50 remains attached to each of the portions 44,46 and splits
apart as the package 110b is initially opened. Added protection for
the contents 52 of the package 110c may be obtained by joining the
walls 12, 14 together by a peel seal 54 below the flanges 36, 38 as
shown in FIG. 4. In that way, even after the extended wall portions
44 and 46 are separated and the zipper opened, the contents of the
package are protected until the seal 54 is broken. Such a feature
would be necessary where it is required that the package contents
be hermetically sealed below the zipper. The package 110d has a
"hard" seal 56 joining the extended wall portions 44 and 46. In
this case, the header of package 110d is provided with one or more
lines of perforations 58 which must be torn open by a consumer to
obtain access to the slider 26. In place of a line of perforations
(or to facilitate tearing the perforations) one or more notches 60
may be provided at a side edge of the header to start a tear across
the header.
[0035] The walls 12, 14 of the package 110e of FIG. 6 terminate
substantially at the hard seals 40, 42 joining the walls to flanges
36, 38. In this embodiment the header is formed by extensions 62,
64 of flanges 36,38. The extensions 62, 64 may be joined by a peel
seal, peel strip or a hard seal as described above. If hard seal is
used to join the flanges a line of perforations or a notch may be
used to facilitate opening the header. In any event, the header
must be opened before access can be had to the slider and
zipper.
[0036] In FIGS. 7-17 a package 210 of a second embodiment of the
present invention is depicted. The package 210 includes a front and
rear wall, 112 and 114, a bottom 116, top 118 and sides 120 and
122. A zipper 124 extends across the package top 118 from side to
side of the package. A slider 126 is mounted on the zipper 124 for
movement between a closed position and an open position. The zipper
is formed as the zipper of the first embodiment and hence need not
be repeated. In accordance with this second embodiment the contents
152 of package 210 are protected from tampering by a sealing strip
in the form of a web of material that extends across the package
from side 120 to side 122 between the walls 112, 114 below the
zipper.
[0037] The package 210a of FIG. 8 has a web 166 hard sealed at 168
to wall 114 and secured to wall 112 by peel seal 170. After the
slider 126 is moved to initially open the package 210a, the
consumer presses on web 166 to rupture the peel seal and provide
access to the package contents. The package 210b of FIG. 9 has two
webs segments 166a and 166b hard sealed respectively to walls 112
and 114. The free edges of web segments 166a and 166b are sealed to
each other by peel seal 172. Peel seal 172 must be ruptured before
access may be had to the package contents.
[0038] Package 210c of FIG. 10 is similar to the package of FIG. 8
except that the web is longitudinally folded to form a cusp
directed toward the package interior. This increases the internal
force that the peel seal 170 securing the web 166 to wall 112 can
withstand. The package 210d of FIG. 11 is similar to package 210b
of FIG. 9 except that one of the web segments 166b is longitudinal
folded and the peel seal 172 is offset from the fold. This also
improves the internal force that the peel seal can withstand.
[0039] Various other sealing arrangements and configurations of the
web may be used to enhance the internal opening force resistance of
the web peel seal. The package 210e of FIG. 12 has a web 166 bowed
away from the product. One edge of web 166 is hard sealed to wall
114 and the opposite edge of web 166 is joined by a peel seal 172
to wall 112. The web 166 of package 210f of FIG. 13 is loosely
fan-folded toward and away from the product. One edge of web 166 is
hard sealed to wall 114 and the opposite edge of web 166 is joined
by a peel seal 172 to wall 112. In both of these cases the peel
seal must be ruptured to detach the web 166 from wall 112 to
provide access to the product. The package 210h of FIG. 16 has the
edges of web 166 hard sealed at locations 168 to wall 114 and
flange 38 of zipper profile 30, which in turn is hard sealed to
wall 114. A mid-section of web 166 is sealed to wall 112 by peel
seal 172. Similarly the package 210j has the edges of web 166 hard
sealed at two locations 168 to wall 114 and flange 38 of zipper
profile 30, is sealed to the end of web 186 which in turn is hard
sealed to wall 114. The other end of web 166 is hard sealed a
second time to wall 114. A mid-section of web 166 is sealed to wall
112 by peel seal 172. The partial loop 178 between the wall hard
seal and peel seal further improves internal opening force
resistance.
[0040] The web 166 of package 210g of FIG. 14 has its edges hard
sealed to both wall 112 and wall 114. A weakened line 174 extend
longitudinally along the approximate center of web 166 web. The
weakened line may be a score line or a line of perforations. When
the zipper is first opened by the slider the consumer must rupture
line 174 to gain initial access to the package contents. If the
package requires that the contents be hermetically sealed, the line
of perforations may be capped by a strip 176.
[0041] In FIGS. 18-25 a package 310 of a third embodiment of the
present invention is depicted in FIG. 18 wherein the zipper and
slider 26 are contained within a header 178 that is added to the
package. The package 310 includes a front and rear wall, 312 and
314, a bottom 316, top 318 and sides 320 and 322. A zipper 324
extends across the package top 318 from side to side of the
package. A slider 326 is mounted on the zipper 324 for movement
between a closed position and an open position. The zipper is
formed as the zipper of the first embodiment and hence need not be
repeated. In accordance with this third embodiment the contents 352
of package 310 are protected from tampering by the header 378 that
extends across the top of the package.
[0042] The header must be removed or ruptured to provide initial
access to the zipper.
[0043] In FIG. 19 a package is depicted wherein the header 178
comprises a strip of material hard sealed to the front wall 312 and
rear wall 314 at seals 168 that run from side to side of the
package. A weakened line 180 extends along the strip. Line 180 may
comprise a score line or line of perforations. If the package 310
needs to be sealed below the header the perforations may be capped
with a strip 182. In FIG. 20 a package 310b is depicted wherein the
header is formed of two segments 178a and 178b. One edge of segment
178a is hard sealed to front wall 312 and one edge of segment 178b
is hard sealed to rear wall 314. The opposite edges of the segments
178a and 178b are peel sealed to each other. In FIG. 21 a package
310c is depicted wherein one edge of the header 178 is hard sealed
to wall 312 which in turn is sealed to flange 38 of profile 30 and
the other edge is peel sealed at 172 to bag wall 314.
[0044] The bag 310d depicted in FIG. 22 has one side of header 178
peel sealed to bag wall 312 and the opposite side of the header
peel sealed to bag wall 314. On both sides a flap 184 of the header
extends beyond the peel seal 172 to provide a convenient finger
grip for the consumer to facilitate removal of the header from the
package. The package 310e depicted in FIG. 23 has a header formed
of two segments 178a and 178b each having one of their edges sealed
to the bag walls 312 and 314, respectively by peel seals 172. The
other edges of the header opposite to the peel seals are hard
sealed to each other. In each of the above embodiments the consumer
is prevented from accessing the slider until the header is first
removed. If the header is removed, it would be readily apparent
that the package has been rendered capable of being opened.
[0045] In FIGS. 24 and 25 a modification of the package of the
fifth embodiment is depicted wherein the package 310f has a strip
of material 186 peel sealed to the tops of profiles 328 and 330.
The strip 186 is of sufficient thickness to prevent the slider 26
from being moved until the strip 186 is removed. As shown in FIG.
24 the slider 26 is at the extreme closed end of the zipper and
strip 186 is immediately adjacent to the slider on the opening side
of the slider. Until strip 186 is removed from the path of slider
326 the slider is prevented from moving to open package 310f.
[0046] In FIGS. 26 and 27 a package 410a of a fourth embodiment of
the present invention is depicted in FIG. 26 wherein one profile
flange 436 is folded toward the interlocking members. The flange
436 is hard sealed to wall 412 at hard seal 440. An extension 190
of flange 436 extends beyond hard seal 440 to the opposite profile
flange 438 and to itself below the interlocking members. The
extension 190 is hard sealed to profile flange 438 and to itself at
hard seals 168 thereby sealing off the package contents. A first
series of perforations 188 is provided on the portion of extension
190 between the hard seals 168. A second series of perforations 189
is provided on the portion of extension 190 between the hard seal
440 to wall 312 and the hard seal to flange 438. In order to gain
access to the package contents, both of the perforation lines must
be ruptured providing clear evidence of the initial opening of the
package.
[0047] In FIGS. 28-30 a modification of the package of the fourth
embodiment is depicted in FIG. 28 wherein the package 410 has one
profile flange folded over the profiles' interlocking members
rather than beneath the profiles' interlocking members. In FIG. 29
package 410b has flange 438 hard sealed to wall 414. Flange
extension 189 extends beyond the hard seal 168 and over the tops of
the profiles 428, 430. A peel seal 172 secures the free edge of
extension 189 to the outside of package wall 412. The construction
of package 410c of FIG. 30 is similar to that of package 410b
except that the peel 172 secures the free edge of extension 189 to
flange 436 of profile 430, above the hard seal securing profile 430
to bag wall 412. In both of these embodiments the flange extension
189 forms a header within which the slider is initially contained.
To open the package for the first time, the consumer must remove
the header by rupturing the peel seal.
[0048] In FIGS. 31-34 a package 510 of a fifth embodiment of the
present invention is depicted in FIG. 31 wherein a flap is provided
to hold the slider in a closed zipper position and prevent its
movement to the open position. If the seal holding the flap is
broken, the slider is freed to move to the open position. In the
package 510a of FIG. 32 the flap 190 is secured by a hard seal 168
to bag wall 514 behind the closing end of the slider 526. The flap
extends up and over the interlocked profiles and is secured to the
profiles by a peel seal 172. An unsecured tab 192 extends beyond
the peel seal to the free end of flap 190. When the flap is in
position it prevents the slider from moving in the opening
direction from the zipper fully closed position. A consumer may
free the flap 190 from the profiles by pulling up on the tab 192 to
break peel seal 172 and thereby render the slider free to be moved
to the zipper open position. However, doing so is readily apparent
by virtue of the unsecured flap. The package 510b of FIG. 33 has
flap 190 secured by peel seal 172 to flange 540 above the point at
which the flange 540 is secured to package wall 512. Again the flap
is positioned behind the closing end of the slider so as to prevent
the slider from moving from the initial zipper closed position. The
package 510c of FIG. 34 has a first flap segment 190a secured to
bag wall 512 and a second flap segment 190b secured to bag wall 514
with each secured by hard seals 168 and extending over the top of
the interlocked profiles. The free end of flap segment 190a is
positioned on top of the free end of flap segment 190b and held in
position peel seal 172. Again, the flap serves to prevent movement
of slider 526 off its initial fully closed. If the flap segments
are separated by a consumer pulling up on tab 192, which extends
from the free end of flap segment 190a, the path of the slider is
cleared so that the slider is then free to be moved.
[0049] Thus, in accordance with the above the several desired
objects and advantages of the present invention are effectively
attained. Wile several embodiments of the present invention are
depicted and described herein further modifications may become
apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.
* * * * *