U.S. patent application number 10/384338 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-31 for configuring bag closures.
This patent application is currently assigned to Velcro Industries B.V., a Netherlands corporation. Invention is credited to Clune, William P., Provost, George A., Shepard, William H..
Application Number | 20030142888 10/384338 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22868967 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030142888 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Provost, George A. ; et
al. |
July 31, 2003 |
Configuring bag closures
Abstract
A reclosable bag has a body with opposite faces having side
edges and defining an interior. The bag also has a reclosable
hook-and-loop fastener strip secured to one of the bag faces. The
fastener strip may form a reclosable face closure for accessing the
bag interior through a face of the bag. In some cases the closure
strip extends around one or more of the edges of the bag to form a
pour spout side opening or to define a hinge as in a flip top
box.
Inventors: |
Provost, George A.;
(Litchfield, NH) ; Shepard, William H.; (Amherst,
NH) ; Clune, William P.; (Northwood, NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON PC
225 FRANKLIN ST
BOSTON
MA
02110
US
|
Assignee: |
Velcro Industries B.V., a
Netherlands corporation
|
Family ID: |
22868967 |
Appl. No.: |
10/384338 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10384338 |
Mar 7, 2003 |
|
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PCT/US01/28279 |
Sep 10, 2001 |
|
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60231377 |
Sep 8, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/66 ;
383/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/24 20130101;
B65D 2313/02 20130101; B65D 75/5866 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/66 ;
383/203 |
International
Class: |
B65D 033/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bag having a body with opposite faces having side edges and
defining an interior, the bag comprising a reclosable fastener
strip secured to one of the bag faces and extending around one of
the edges of the bag to form a reclosable bag closure for accessing
the bag interior.
2. The bag of claim 1 wherein the fastener strip is secured to an
inside surface of the bag.
3. The bag of claim 2 wherein the bag body has a frangible tear
line for accessing the fastener strip.
4. The bag of claim 1 wherein the fastener strip includes a loop
component with a band of hook-engageable loops, and a mating hook
component with a band of hooks.
5. The bag of claim 4 wherein the hooks are integrally molded along
an edge of the hook component.
6. The bag of claim 1 wherein the fastener strip comprises two
mating components, both secured to an inside surface of a face of
the bag.
7. The bag of claim 1 wherein the bag body comprises film, and
wherein the fastener strip is welded to the film.
8. The bag of claim 1 wherein the fastener strip extends across an
entire front face of the bag and around opposite edges of the
bag.
9. The bag of claim 1 wherein the closure extends from a front face
of the bag around one side edge of the bag to a back face of the
bag to form a pour spout for pouring bag contents from a bag
opening at the edge of the bag.
10. The bag of any of claim 1 wherein ends of the closure are loose
from each other.
11. A method of making a reclosable bag having a body with opposite
faces having side edges and defining an interior, the method
comprising forming the bag on a bag making machine from a roll of
film having pre-applied closure strips arranged so as to extend
around one of the edges of the bag to form a reclosable bag closure
for accessing the bag interior.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the fastener strip is secured to
an inside surface of the bag.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the bag body has a frangible
tear line for accessing the fastener strip.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the fastener strip includes a
loop component with a band of hook-engageable loops, and a mating
hook component with a band of hooks.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the hooks are integrally molded
along an edge of the hook component.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein the fastener strip comprises two
mating components, both secured to an inside surface of a face of
the bag.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein the bag body comprises film, and
wherein the fastener strip is welded to the film.
18. The method of claim 11 wherein the fastener strip extends
across an entire front face of the bag and around opposite edges of
the bag.
19. The method of claim 11 wherein the closure extends from a front
face of the bag around one side edge of the bag to a back face of
the bag to form a pour spout for pouring bag contents from a bag
opening at the edge of the bag.
20. The method of claim 11 wherein ends of the closure are loose
from each other.
21. A bag having a body with opposite faces having side edges and
defining an interior, the bag comprising a reclosable fastener
strip secured to the bag body and arranged to form a reclosable
face closure for accessing the bag interior through a face of the
bag, the fastener strip including a loop component with a band of
hook-engageable loops, and a mating hook component with a band of
hooks.
22. The bag of claim 21 wherein the fastener strip is secured to an
inside surface of a front face of the bag.
23. The bag of claim 22 wherein the bag body has a frangible tear
line for accessing the fastener strip.
24. The bag of claim 21 wherein the hooks are integrally molded
along an edge of the hook component.
25. The bag of claim 21 wherein the bag body comprises film, and
wherein the fastener strip is welded to the film.
26. A method of making a reclosable bag having a body with opposite
faces having side edges and defining an interior, the method
comprising forming the bag on a bag making machine from a roll of
film having a pre-applied closure strip arranged to form a
reclosable face closure for accessing the bag interior through a
face of the formed bag, the fastener strip including a loop
component with a band of hook-engageable loops, and a mating hook
component with a band of hooks.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority
from pending PCT Patent Application Serial No. US01/28279, filed
Sep. 10, 2001, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120, having an international
publication date of Mar. 14, 2002, which claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/231,377, filed Sep. 8, 2000
and incorporating U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 60/228,819
and 60/159,489 by reference. This application respectively
incorporates by reference each of the above applications whose
priority is claimed.
[0002] It has been known to provide to packers a packaging film to
which an interlocked rib and groove closure is pre-applied in a
strategically located position. See, for example, Yeager U.S. Pat.
No. 6,079,878. Such film with pre-applied rib and groove closures
has been introduced to a vertical form and fill machine to
simultaneously form a bag and fill it with contents, with the bag
being openable at the pre-applied closure.
[0003] Such a product has limitations. For example, on zipper style
(interlocking rib and groove) products, in order to maintain
alignment and the integrity of the seal once it is closed, the ends
of such a closure are required to be permanently closed and sealed,
to provide a beginning point for effecting closure. Other
limitations relating to manufacture and use are also known.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to one aspect of the invention, a bag has a body
with opposite faces having side edges and defining an interior, the
bag comprising a reclosable fastener strip secured to one of the
bag faces and extending around one of the edges of the bag to form
a reclosable bag closure for accessing the bag interior.
[0005] In some embodiments, the fastener strip is secured to an
inside surface of the bag, and the bag body may have a frangible
tear line for accessing the fastener strip.
[0006] In some cases the fastener strip includes a loop component
with a band of hook-engageable loops, and a mating hook component
with a band of hooks, which may be integrally molded along an edge
of the hook component.
[0007] In some configurations, the fastener strip comprises two
mating components, both secured to an inside surface of a face of
the bag.
[0008] The bag body in some cases comprises film, with the fastener
strip welded to the film.
[0009] In some embodiments, the fastener strip extends across an
entire front face of the bag and around opposite edges of the bag,
such as to form a hinge.
[0010] In some cases the closure extends from a front face of the
bag around one side edge of the bag to a back face of the bag to
form a pour spout for pouring bag contents from a bag opening at
the edge of the bag.
[0011] In some embodiments the ends of the closure are loose from
each other.
[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, a method of
making a reclosable bag is provided. The bag has a body with
opposite faces having side edges and defining an interior. The
method includes forming the bag on a bag making machine from a roll
of film having pre-applied closure strips arranged so as to extend
around one of the edges of the bag to form a reclosable bag closure
for accessing the bag interior.
[0013] In some embodiments, the fastener strip is secured to an
inside surface of the bag, and the bag body may have a frangible
tear line for accessing the fastener strip.
[0014] In some cases the hooks are integrally molded along an edge
of the hook component.
[0015] In some configurations, the fastener strip comprises two
mating components, both secured to an inside surface of a face of
the bag.
[0016] The bag body in some cases comprises film, with the fastener
strip welded to the film.
[0017] In some embodiments, the fastener strip extends across an
entire front face of the bag and around opposite edges of the bag,
such as to form a hinge.
[0018] In some cases the closure extends from a front face of the
bag around one side edge of the bag to a back face of the bag to
form a pour spout for pouring bag contents from a bag opening at
the edge of the bag.
[0019] In some embodiments the ends of the closure are loose from
each other.
[0020] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a bag has
a body with opposite faces having side edges and defining an
interior, the bag comprising a reclosable fastener strip secured to
the bag body and arranged to form a reclosable face closure for
accessing the bag interior through a face of the bag. The fastener
strip includes a loop component with a band of hook-engageable
loops, and a mating hook component with a band of hooks.
[0021] In some embodiments, the fastener strip is secured to an
inside surface of the bag, and the bag body may have a frangible
tear line for accessing the fastener strip.
[0022] In some cases the hooks are integrally molded along an edge
of the hook component.
[0023] The bag body in some cases comprises film, with the fastener
strip welded to the film.
[0024] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method
of making a reclosable bag is provided. The bag The bag has a body
with opposite faces having side edges and defining an interior. The
method includes forming the bag on a bag making machine from a roll
of film having a pre-applied closure strip arranged to form a
reclosable face closure for accessing the bag interior through a
face of the formed bag. The fastener strip includes a loop
component with a band of hook-engageable loops, and a mating hook
component with a band of hooks.
[0025] According to certain aspects of the invention, a hook and
loop closure is pre-applied to packaging film. The closure involves
a hook strip and a loop component, which are engaged by hook and
loop fastening. In some cases, each component has an associated
flange or margin portion which is face welded to the bag film. In
other cases, the components can be attached directly behind the
closure features, such as the hooks or loops.
[0026] In some cases the hook component and the loop component are
separate, but mated pieces in their pre-applied condition. In other
cases, the two are formed as a unit, in which case a joining
portion between the two parts of the closure may provide the "shelf
seal" which is ruptured to initially open the bag.
[0027] Numerous advantages are obtained with such preforms.
[0028] The closure does not require spacing from the edges of the
bag being formed.
[0029] The tolerances for the machine and for the location of the
film-closure preform in the machine are relatively relaxed. Hook
and loop alignment is also less critical than with rib and groove
closures. For example, variations in positioning of up to 1/8 inch
(3.2 millimeters) or more are generally tolerable with hook and
loop fastening, while maintaining an acceptable closure
performance.
[0030] Another aspect of the invention concerns bags in which the
bag closure and opening extend the full width of the bag.
[0031] The closure need not be laminated to only one side of a bag
spaced in from the edges, but can extend entirely to an edge or
even around an edge to the opposite side, e.g., to form a pour
spout or flip-top. Additionally, hook and loop closures can
function at a transverse fold or corner, whereas folding or sharply
bending zipper structures tend to cause the zipper features to
distort or splay and can cause leakage or separation at the fold or
bend.
[0032] More broadly another aspect of the invention is a pour spout
for a bag or package realized by a hook and loop closure bent about
an edge of a package.
[0033] Another aspect of the invention concerns bags which may be
filled initially completely or with little headroom and can readily
be reclosed by the hook and loop closure while the bag remains
filled past the closure.
[0034] On the hook and loop closure shown, the ends of the closure
can be loose from each other. This provides the ability to have a
larger opening of the bag than in the case of a rib and groove
seal, but, if desired, the ends of the closure can be sealed or
welded to the bag film e.g. to avoid end leakage. The alignment
required for closing the hook and loop closure is substantially
less critical than for the interlocking rib and groove closure and
therefore is an easier closure to activate or deactivate (open and
close) with a full bag or with a very large opening.
[0035] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
understood from the following description of preferred
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a vertical form-filled bag with its front face
orientated toward the viewer.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 2-2 in
FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates a similar bag, with the closure located
on the front-face and around the side of the bag.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 4-4 in
FIG. 3.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 5-5 in
FIG. 4.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but of a "flip top" bag
in which the closure 12 extends across one entire face, and around
to the bag face of the bag on both sides.
[0042] FIG. 7 illustrates the bag of FIG. 3 opened for pouring its
contents through the opened closure.
[0043] FIG. 8 shows a roll of bag film with closures pre-applied
for forming bags.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] FIG. 1 shows a vertical form-filled bag 10 with its front
face orientated toward the viewer. Welded to the inside of the
front face 30 of the bag is a hook and loop bag closure 12, shown
in dashed outline. Along the closure, the bag film forming the
front face 30 of the bag closure is provided with a frangible line
14, tear string, perforation, or other feature for forming an
opening at the closure through the bag film. For perishable
products, the bag film preferably forms a primary, airtight seal
for maintaining the freshness of the bag contents.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows the closure 12 in side view. The top half of
the closure is the loop component 16 with a band of hook-engageable
loops 32 along its lower edge, and is welded to the inside surface
34 of the front face 30 of the bag along its upper edge. At a
somewhat lower position of the bag, a mating hook component 18 has
a band of integrally molded hooks 36 along its upper edge, mated
with the loops 32 of the top half of the closure. This lower
component is also welded to inside surface of the front face of the
bag. Thus the front-face 30 of the bag carries both halves of the
closure 12, attached to the bag film at weld lines 19, and mated in
hook and loop engagement. The closure halves can also be welded to
the front face bag film along their ends, if desired.
[0046] In the embodiment shown, the primary or shelf seal is the
bag film itself. To open, the end user cuts through the film to
access the inner multiple use closure 12, or a feature such as
frangible line 14 is provided in the film so that a flap can be
broken through the film. For example, a pressure sensitive adhesive
web can be provided, such as to form a releasable flap (not shown)
that can be lifted to access the inside of the bag. The interior of
the bag is thus opened, advantageously without tools such as
scissors or knives. Contents can be removed from the bag, and the
closure can then be pressed to close the bag in pantry-seal
fashion. The hook and loop closure 12 can be closed with relatively
low contact force, and can conform to debris caught within the
closure. Additionally, for applications where the closure is on the
face 30 of a bag, rather than along the top edge 38, for example,
the hook and loop closure can be lightly closed without excess
closure pressure that could damage underlying product within the
bag. Potato chip bags, for example, can be provided with such a
face closure.
[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates a bag 20 of the same construction as bag
10 of FIG. 1 except that instead of being extending on the
centerline of the front face 30 of the vertical form filled bag,
the closure 12 is shown extending around the side 40 of the bag.
FIG. 4 shows a sectional view through the bag locating the
longitudinal film seal 22 toward the back. The front face 30 is the
clean side of the bag, or the side without longitudinal seal
22.
[0048] FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 2 in that the top of the closure
12 is the loop section 16 welded to the inside surface of the film
24 and the hook section 18 is directly below it, welded to that
surface of film 24. While the closure is welded to the same
topologically-continuous surface of film, the closure 12 extends
from the front face of the bag around one side edge of the bag to
the other face. In other words, closure 12 is welded to the back
face 44 of the bag as well as the front face 30.
[0049] FIG. 6 shows, diagrammatically, the closure 12 extending
across the entire front face 30 of the bag, and around both edges
40 and 42 to the back face 44 of the bag. With the substance of the
bag walls being sufficiently stiff, the portion of the bag between
the ends 46 of the closure define a hinge about which the entire
top of the bag or package may turn as in a "flip top box," to
provide full access to the interior 48 of the bag (or box).
Obviously, this type of construction is useful for heavy duty
packaging formed, for example, of heavy paper or composite bag or
box materials, as well as of heavy film.
[0050] Thus, the closure may extend across the entire front face 30
of the bag, and even around the edges 40, 42 of the bag. The
closure could be so positioned to provide a hinge line extending
over the longitudinal seam 22 produced by the vertical form fill
machine, to enable full opening of the bag, as shown in FIG. 6.
Also, if the head-space of the bag is very small ("head space"
being defined as the open volume above the product but inside the
bag), the touch fastener hook and loop closure can still be opened,
product can come out of the bag and then, to close the closure 12
only very soft activation force upon the closure is required,
pressing from the outside against the product. This is unlike a
zipper (interlocking rib and groove) closure, where an open volume
is required at the closure to enable one to place fingers behind as
well as in front of the closure to press it closed, to engage the
male or rib component to enter the female or groove component of
the closure.
[0051] The hook and loop closure 12 is found to tolerate bent
configurations, such as illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, the closure being
under shear loading throughout its full extent when product within
the bag 20 presses against the closure. In other words, pressure of
the contents does not tend to push the top part of the bag away
from the bottom part of the bag. The hook and loop closure 12 in
this configuration is in its stronger strength mode. Additionally,
forming the closure 12 into an arc or other shape extending out of
the plane of the closure, as shown, can add bending stiffness or
structural rigidity to the closure 12 for resisting concentrated
separating loads.
[0052] As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the primary or shelf seal in
this embodiment is the bag film between the two closure components.
But, as is also the case with FIG. 1, the primary seal can also be
achieved by an integral hook and loop closure unit as disclosed in
patent publication WO00/27721, published May 18, 2000. In such a
case, when the hook and loop closure unit 12 is pre-applied to the
web of film, before running on the vertical form-fill machine, a
cut opening in the film itself is formed (e.g., at 14, while the
closure 12 is being welded to the bag film). In this case the
closure can be on the outside surface of the bag.
[0053] One can also provide a supplemental seal, such as a peelable
seal, a tear seal, a tear string seal (not shown) either within the
hook and loop closure unit or on the bag itself.
[0054] FIG. 7 shows that the structure of FIG. 3 enables the
closure 12 to be opened as a pour spout to enable the user to pour
the contents from a bag opening 26 at the side edge of the bag.
Unlike the zipper profile products, if the hook and loop closure is
creased or folded in any way across its face, or perpendicular to
the longitudinal direction of the closure, the closing effect of
the closure is maintained. In contrast, zipper rails (i.e., ribs
engaged in grooves) tend to take on a permanent deformation or set
when bent from front to side or back, causing the closure to be
splayed open or shut. If splayed open, the rail is not held between
the sides of the groove, and closure is defeated. Of course, with
zipper closures, any opening along the zipper severely reduces the
ability of the zipper to withstand a propagating separation.
[0055] FIG. 8 shows a roll 28 of bag film with closures 12 already
welded in place, transversely to the longitudinal axis of the film,
and ready to be unspooled into a bag making machine, to make either
bag 10 of FIG. 1 or bag 20 of FIG. 3, depending on the length of
closure 12 and where the film is transversely cut and joined to
form top and bottom seals.
[0056] Other bag and closure constructions and bag-forming methods
to which the above features are applicable are disclosed in our
U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,260 and our provisional U.S. patent
applications Nos. 60/159,489, 60/228,819 and 60/231,377 (filed Oct.
14, 1999, Apr. 16, 1999 and Sep. 6, 2000, respectively), the entire
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if
completely set forth.
[0057] A number of embodiments of the invention have been
described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, it is to be noted that many
features disclosed here are applicable to attaching the closure
during bag making as well as to pre-applying the closure.
Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *