U.S. patent application number 10/820072 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-04 for method and apparatus for manufacturing a resealable package.
Invention is credited to Buchman, James E., Fietzer, Wes W., Melchoir, Greg W., VandenHeuvel, Greg J..
Application Number | 20040220033 10/820072 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33310237 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040220033 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Melchoir, Greg W. ; et
al. |
November 4, 2004 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing a resealable package
Abstract
A method of making a resealable package is provided. The method
comprises providing a closure mechanism, the closure mechanism
comprising first and second closure profiles, the first and second
closure profiles constructed and arranged to selectively engage,
and wherein the first and second closure profiles are engaged. The
method further comprises providing a pair of panels comprising a
flexible polymeric material, inserting a wedge between the closure
profiles, disengaging the closure profiles; and attaching the
closure mechanism to the pair of side panels. Various embodiments
of opening devices are also presented.
Inventors: |
Melchoir, Greg W.; (Green
Bay, WI) ; VandenHeuvel, Greg J.; (Kaukauna, WI)
; Fietzer, Wes W.; (Appleton, WI) ; Buchman, James
E.; (Hortonville, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ECKERT SEAMANS CHERIN & MELLOTT, LLC
ALCOA TECHNICAL CENTER
100 TECHNICAL DRIVE
ALCOA CENTER
PA
15069-0001
US
|
Family ID: |
33310237 |
Appl. No.: |
10/820072 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10820072 |
Apr 6, 2004 |
|
|
|
10427716 |
Apr 30, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
493/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 493/927 20130101;
B65B 61/188 20130101; B65B 9/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
493/212 |
International
Class: |
B65D 033/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for opening a closure mechanism of a resealable
package, the closure mechanism comprising first and second closure
profiles constructed and arranged to selectively engage, the
apparatus comprising; (a) a piston and a rod, said rod being in
operable connection with a wedge; (b) a guide channel aligned to
guide the closure mechanism in proximity with the wedge; and (c)
means for activating said piston such that the piston moves the rod
which functions to insert the wedge into the closure mechanism to
thereby open the closure mechanism.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein upon activation of said piston
the rod is moved in a reciprocal and repetitive manner.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a support blade in
planer alignment with said wedge such that the closure mechanism is
supported by the blade and aligned in proximity with the wedge.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wedge further comprises
guide members to align the closure mechanism in proximity with the
wedge.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wedge has a length
substantially equal to the width of the resealable package.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the wedge has a general shape
similar to a section of a circle.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the wedge further comprises an
arm in rotatable connection with a brace such that upon activation
of said piston the rod functions to rotate the wedge between the
closure profiles of the closure mechanism.
8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the wedge is generally
cylindrical in shape.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the wedge has an end that is
tapered to facilitate its insertion into the closure mechanism.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wedge is a channel
wedge.
11. An apparatus for opening a closure mechanism of a resealable
package comprising: (a) a piston and a rod, said rod being in
operable connection with a wedge; (b) a guide channel aligned to
guide the closure mechanism into adjacent proximity with the wedge;
and (c) means for activating the piston such that the piston moves
the wedge in a perpendicular direction relative to the closure
mechanism to thereby pinch-open the closure mechanism.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising sealing bars in
parallel alignment with said wedge.
13. An apparatus for opening a closure mechanism of a resealable
package, the closure mechanism comprising first and second closure
profiles constructed and arranged to selectively engage, the
apparatus comprising; (a) a wedge having an opening plow and at
least two guide legs, said plow being centered along a path of
travel defined between the guide legs; and (b) means for moving
said wedge to insert the plow into the closure mechanism to thereby
separate the closure profiles.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 whereby said means for moving said
wedge operate in a rotational manner.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 whereby said means for moving said
wedge operate in a reciprocal manner.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Divisional of application Ser. No.
10/427,716, filed on Apr. 30, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a method of
making polymer packages, for example, plastic bags. In particular,
the present invention relates to a methods and apparatuses relating
to closure mechanisms for a resealable bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many packaging applications use resealable containers to
store various types of articles and materials. These packages may
be used to store and ship food products, non-food consumer goods,
medical supplies, waste materials, and many other articles.
Resealable packages are convenient in that they can be closed and
resealed after the initial opening to preserve the enclosed
contents. The need to locate a storage container for the unused
portion of the products in the package is thus avoided. As such,
providing products in resealable packages appreciably enhances the
marketability of those products.
[0004] Resealable packages typically utilize a closure mechanism
that is positioned along the mouth of the package. The closure
mechanism often comprises profile elements or closure profiles that
engage one another when pressed together. Typically a slider device
used for opening the closure mechanism is attached to the closure
mechanism while the closure profiles are disengaged. This
facilitates filling of the package with product after the slider is
attached. However, attaching the slider to a closure mechanism in
an open state results in difficulty in handling and aligning the
pair of closure profiles during manufacturing. If the slider device
is attached to the closure mechanism while the closure mechanism is
closed, the closure mechanism must be opened before the package can
be filled. Prior methods of opening the closure mechanism,
including manually opening the closure mechanism, have proved to be
inefficient from a manufacturing standpoint.
[0005] It is therefore desirable to attach the slider device to the
closure mechanism while the closure mechanism is in a closed state,
and to provide a method and apparatus for automatically opening the
closure mechanism after the slider device has been attached.
Alternately, the slider device may be attached after the closure
mechanism has been opened. Further, the opening methods and
apparatus of the present invention can be applied to a closure
mechanism without a slider, such as a traditional "press-to-close"
zipper.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the present invention, a method of making
a resealable package is provided. The method comprises providing a
closure mechanism, the closure mechanism comprising first and
second closure profiles, the first and second closure profiles
constructed and arranged to selectively engage, and wherein the
first and second closure profiles are engaged. The method further
comprises providing a pair of panels comprising a flexible
polymeric material, providing a means to open the closure profiles,
such as inserting a wedge between the closure profiles, to
disengage the closure profiles; and attaching the closure mechanism
to the pair of side panels. The opening of the closure profiles and
attachment of the closure mechanism to the side panels may occur
substantially simultaneously.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] For the present invention to be clearly understood and
readily practiced, the present invention will be described in
conjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference
characters designate the same or similar elements, which figures
are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification,
wherein:
[0008] The various features and benefits of the present invention
are apparent in light of the following detailed description and the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible, resealable
package manufactured in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a process of manufacturing a
resealable package in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a slider attachment device
and a device for opening a closure mechanism used in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4a is a top view of the device for opening a closure
mechanism illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 4b is an elevated, side view of the device for opening
a closure mechanism illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 4c is an alternate perspective view of the device for
opening a closure mechanism illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 4d is an cross-sectional view of the device for opening
a closure mechanism illustrated in FIG. 3 taken along line 4d-4d
(shown in FIG. 4b).
[0016] FIG. 5 is an elevated, side view of a alternate device for
opening a closure mechanism used in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6a is an elevated, side view of a wedge used as part of
the device for opening a closure mechanism illustrated in FIG.
5.
[0018] FIG. 6b is an elevated, end view of a wedge used as part of
the device for opening a closure mechanism illustrated in FIG.
5.
[0019] FIG. 6c is a perspective view with a cross-sectional view
insert showing an alternate embodiment of a wedge that can be used
in conjunction with the apparatus and methods described herein.
[0020] FIG. 6d is a schematic frontal view of the plow and guide
legs of the wedge shown in FIG. 6c.
[0021] FIG. 6e is a perspective view showing the relational
position between the wedge of FIG. 6c and a closure mechanism prior
to opening the closure mechanism.
[0022] FIG. 6f is a perspective view showing the wedge of FIG. 6c
passing into a closure mechanism to separate the closure profiles
thereby opening the closure mechanism.
[0023] FIG. 7 is an elevated, side view of the device for opening a
closure mechanism illustrated in FIG. 5, illustrating its
operation.
[0024] FIG. 8 is an elevated, side view of a alternate device for
opening a closure mechanism used in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a top view of the device for opening a closure
mechanism illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0026] FIG. 10a is an end view of the device for opening a closure
mechanism illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0027] FIG. 10b is an end view of the device for opening a closure
mechanism illustrated in FIG. 8, illustrating the use of sealing
bars in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIGS. 11a-c are cross-sectional views of an opening device
and method that employ a perpendicular external force to open a
closure mechanism.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an opening device and
method that use a channel wedge to open a closure mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a resealable, flexible
package 20 having a closure mechanism 41 with first and second
closure profiles 23, 25 and a slider device 11 to open and close
the profiles 23, 25.
[0031] The resealable package 20 includes first and second opposed
panel sections 31, 33 made from a flexible, polymeric film. For
some manufacturing applications, the first and second panel
sections 31, 33 are heat-sealed together along two edges 35, 37 and
meet at a fold line 39 in order to form a three-edged containment
section for a product within the interior of the package 20. The
fold line comprises the bottom edge 39. Alternatively, two separate
panel sections 31, 33 of polymeric film may be used and heat-sealed
together along the two edges 35, 37 and at the bottom 39.
[0032] The resealable package 20 also includes a closure mechanism
41 made in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The closure mechanism 41 includes first and second closure profiles
23, 25. The first and second closure profiles 23, 25 may be of any
appropriate design known in the art. Example closure profiles are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,983,466, 5,947,603, and
6,217,215.
[0033] In certain embodiments, a slider device 11 is mounted on the
closure mechanism 41 to facilitate the opening and closing of the
closure mechanism 41. Slider devices and how they function to open
and close such mechanisms, in general, are taught, for example, in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,063,644, 5,301,394, 5,442,837 and 5,664,229, each
of which is incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety. A
preferred slider device is taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,293,701 and
D434, 345 each of which is incorporated by reference herein, in its
entirety.
[0034] In embodiments that include a slider device, a notch 52 is
preferably disposed within the closure mechanism 41. The notch 52
is designed to provide a "park place" into which the slider 11
settles when the closure mechanism 41 is sealed. The notch 52
decreases the chances of an incomplete interlock between the first
and second closure profiles 23, 25. Example notches are disclosed,
for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,067,208 and 5,301,395, each of
which is incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety.
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic example of a horizontal form,
fill and seal ("HFFS") process for manufacturing a resealable
package 20 in accordance with the present invention. The HFFS
process described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,896, which is incorporated
by reference herein, in its entirety, is substantially similar to
that described and shown herein with the obvious variation that the
package of the present invention is inverted (i.e. the formation
and filling in the present invention is from the top) whereas the
formation and filling in the '896 patent occurs from the bottom.
The first and second closure profiles 23, 25 (not shown
individually in FIG. 2) are provided in an engaged configuration as
a continuous length of closure profile material 50. Preferably, the
closure mechanism material 50 is provided on a roll (not shown).
The closure mechanism material 50 is unwound and fed to the HFFS
process.
[0036] The slider 11 is attached to the closure mechanism material
50 by a slider application station 60. The slider application
station 60 applies the slider 11 to the closure mechanism material
50 through the use of any appropriate means known in the art, for
example, the apparatuses as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,199,256
and 6,293,896, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference
herein, in its entirety. The slider application station 60 may also
be used to notch the closure profile material in order to provide
the notch 52 (as shown in FIG. 1), as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,199,256.
[0037] After the slider 11 is applied to the closure mechanism
material 50, the closure mechanism material 50 passes to the HFFS
machine 250. The material that comprises the side panels 31, 33 of
resealable package 20 (as shown in FIG. 1) is provided on a roll
220. The material is unwound and may optionally pass to perforators
230 that score the material to facilitate later removal of a header
section 101. The material then passes over a folding board 245 (as
is known in the art) to form the two side panels 31, 33. The
folding board 245 may include a slitter (not shown), if e.g. the
HFFS machine is operated in a different orientation.
[0038] In the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGS.
3-8, the first and second closure profiles 23, 25 are disengaged by
the closure mechanism opening apparatus 70 prior to the closure
mechanism material 50 being attached to the first and second side
panels 31, 33. Alternately, the closure mechanism may be disengaged
substantially simultaneously with the closure mechanism being
attached to the side panels (i.e. disengagement and attachment as a
single step), or disengagement may even occur after attachment to
the side panels.
[0039] An example closure mechanism opening apparatus 70 is
illustrated in FIGS. 4a-4d. The closure mechanism opening apparatus
70 comprises a rod 76 and a piston 72 that causes selective
reciprocating movement of the rod 76. A preferred rod 76 and piston
72 are manufactured by DE-STA-CO Industries, 31791 Sherman Drive,
Madison Heights, Mich. 48071, Model 816, made of steel and
aluminum. The rod 76 and piston 72 are preferably mounted on a
stand-off base 74.
[0040] The rod 76 is operably connected to a wedge 80 such that as
rod 76 moves, the wedge 80 moves. For example, if the piston is
activated to move the rod in a reciprocating manner, the wedge
would move in a similar manner. As best shown in FIG. 4d, the wedge
80 is preferably tapered along its bottom edge to allow it to
penetrate between the closure profiles 23, 25. A set of guide
members 82 are attached at both ends of the wedge 80. The guide
members 82 act to align the closure mechanism material 50 as it
passes through the closure mechanism opening apparatus 70. The
guide members 82 are preferably designed and arranged to allow the
closure mechanism material 50 to pass between them and align the
closure mechanism material 50 beneath the wedge 80 or in similar
proximity to the wedge, depending on the spatial orientation of
apparatus 70. The guide members 82 are attached to the wedge 80 by
any means known in the art, for example, by machined screws or by
welding. Alternatively, the wedge 80 and guide members 82 may be
formed integrally.
[0041] The closure mechanism opening apparatus 70 further comprises
a three-sided guide channel 78. The guide channel 78 preferably has
a support blade 84 attached to one of its sides as best seen in
FIG. 4d. The stand-off base 74 is attached to the top of guide
channel 78, which has an aperture 81 through its top side as shown
in FIG. 4a. In this way, the selective reciprocating movement of
the rod 76 causes the wedge 80 and guide members 82 to move up and
down through the aperture 81 in the top of the guide channel
78.
[0042] Preferably, the closure mechanism opening device 70 further
includes a support blade 84 that is designed and arranged such that
when the closure mechanism material 50 passes through the guide
channel 78, the closure mechanism material 50 straddles or rides on
the blade 84, which supports the closure mechanism material 50. As
stated previously, the blade 84 preferably assists in aligning the
closure mechanism material 50 beneath the wedge 80.
[0043] In operation, a length of the closure mechanism material 50
that corresponds to the length of a resealable package 20 passes
into the guide channel 78, on top of blade 84. The progress of the
closure mechanism material 50 is stopped. The piston 72 is then
actuated whereby the rod 76 is extended. This causes the wedge 80
and guide members 82 to be moved through the aperture 81 of the top
of the guide channel 78. The guide members 82 are forced along the
outside of the closure mechanism material 50, and the wedge 80 is
disposed between the closure profiles 23, 25. As the wedge 80 is
moved downward by the rod 76, the wedge 80 forces closure profiles
23, 25 to disengage along the length of the wedge 80. The wedge 80
is then withdrawn from the closure mechanism material 50. The
opened closure mechanism material 50 is then advanced in an opened
state for further processing, as is described below.
[0044] An alternate example embodiment of a closure mechanism
opening apparatus 70 is illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. In this
embodiment, the guide channel 78 and the blade 84 are designed and
function in a similar manner as in the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 3-4d. The closure mechanism opening apparatus 70 further
comprises a piston 92, a brace 98, and a wedge 100. The piston 92
includes a rod 96 that may move in a selective reciprocating
manner. In this embodiment, the wedge 100 is generally shaped as a
sector of a circle as shown in FIG. 6a. The wedge 100 includes an
arm 106 that extends from the corner of the sector that would
otherwise correspond with the center of the circle from which the
sector would be taken. The arm 106 includes an opening 108 through
which a pin or rod may be inserted in such a way as to allow the
wedge 100 to rotate around such a pin or rod. The arm 106 is
operably connected to the rod 96 such that when the rod 96 is
extended from the piston 92, the wedge 100 rotates, preferably in
the direction of the arrow R shown in FIG. 7. Likewise, when the
rod 96 is withdrawn, the wedge 100 will rotate in a direction
opposite that in which it rotates when the rod 96 is extended. The
wedge 100 is preferably attached to the channel 78 by a brace 98.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the brace 98 includes an
opening that may be aligned with the opening 108 through the wedge
100. In this way, a pin or rod that is inserted through the opening
108 also serves to attach the wedge 100 to the brace 98. The brace
98 is also preferably attached to the piston 92 by way of brackets
94, 95.
[0045] As best shown in FIG. 6b, the curved edge 102 of the wedge
100 is tapered so that its leading edge 101 narrows to a point. The
curved edge 102 also includes a pair of guide members 104 that are
adjacent the leading edge 101. Similar to the embodiment described
above, and as shown in FIG. 7, a length of the closure mechanism
material 50 that corresponds to the length of a resealable package
20 passes into the guide channel 78, on top of blade 84. The
progress of the closure mechanism material 50 is stopped. The
piston 92 is then actuated whereby the rod 96 is extended. This
causes the wedge 100, including guide members 104, to rotate
through an aperture (not shown) in the top of the guide channel 78.
The guide members 104 are forced along the outside of the closure
mechanism material 50, and the curved edge 102 of the wedge 100 is
disposed between a portion of the length of the closure profiles.
As the wedge 100 rotates, the curved edge 102 of the wedge 100
forces closure profiles to disengage. After the closure profiles
disengage, the wedge 100 rotates in the opposite direction, thereby
withdrawing from the closure mechanism material 50. As one skilled
in the art will recognize, an alternate embodiment to that
illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 would be a blade designed to rotate in a
complete 360.degree. arc as it passes through the closure mechanism
to disengage the closure profiles. The opened closure mechanism
material 50 is then advanced in an opened state for further
processing, as is described below.
[0046] FIGS. 6c-f illustrate an alternate embodiment of a wedge 200
for use with the opening apparatus 70, for example, as shown in
FIG. 5. As described above, the various methods of opening a
closure mechanism with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 may
include both reciprocal and rotational movement of the wedge (100,
200). For example, reciprocal movement is such that the wedge
enters the closure mechanism in one direction (e.g. "R" in FIG. 7)
and, after opening the closure mechanism, is removed from the
closure mechanism in the opposite direction. Rotational movement of
the wedge (100, 200) occurs by rotating the wedge (100, 200) with a
controlled mechanical rotating device (not shown) such that the
wedge moves in circular direction and passes into and out of the
closure mechanism as the wedge (100, 200) scribes an arc at some
aspect of circle "C" as depicted in FIG. 6e-f.
[0047] With reference to FIG. 6c, wedge 200 is shown consisting of
a body 210, an opening plow 220 and guide legs 230, 232. As shown
FIG. 6d, the plow 220 is preferably centered along a travel path
"P" passing between guide legs 230, 232. This arrangement of the
plow 220 with the guide legs 230, 232 facilitates the cooperation
of these structures such that during operation the guide legs 230,
232 capture the closure mechanism and align the plow 220 to pass
into the closure mechanism thereby opening the closure mechanism.
It is preferable if the plow 220 has a tapered leading edge to
facilitate its entry into the closed closure mechanism.
[0048] As further illustrated in FIGS. 6d-6f, the wedge 200 is
preferably rotated into the closure mechanism material 50 to
thereby separate (open) closure profiles 23, 25. After opening, the
opened closure mechanism can be advanced for further processing
(e.g. attachment, filling, etc.).
[0049] A further preferred embodiment of the invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 8-10b. In this embodiment, the guide channel
78 and the blade 84 are designed and function in a similar manner
as in the embodiments described above. In this embodiment, the
channel 78 may also include an opening 79 (e.g. shown in FIGS.
10a-10b) through which a pair of sealing bars, 130, 132 may pass,
as described below. In this embodiment, the closure mechanism
opening apparatus 120 comprises a rod 124 and a piston 122 that
causes selective reciprocating movement of the rod 124. A preferred
rod 124 and piston 122 are manufactured again, by DE-STA-CO
Industries.
[0050] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8-10b, the wedge 126
is generally cylindrical in shape, although one end may be tapered
to facilitate opening of the closure mechanism material 50. The
piston 122 and rod 124 are held in place above the guide channel 78
by brace 134.
[0051] This embodiment may take advantage of the fact that, when
certain types of sliders 11 are attached to the closure mechanism
material 50, a small opening 51 (as shown in FIG. 9) is created
between the closure profiles 23, 25 immediately adjacent to the
slider 11.
[0052] In operation, a length of the closure mechanism material 50
that preferably corresponds to the length of a resealable package
20 passes into the guide channel 78, on top of blade 84. The
progress of the closure mechanism material 50 is stopped at a point
when the opening 51 is directly beneath the wedge 126. The piston
122 is then actuated whereby the rod 124 is extended. This causes
the wedge 126 to be moved through the top of the guide channel 78.
The wedge 126 is disposed in the opening 51 between the closure
profiles [23, 25].
[0053] Preferably, the guide channel 78 is aligned with sealing
bars 130, 132 that are used to seal the side panels 31, 33 to the
closure profiles 23, 25 such that the sealing bars 130, 132 may
pass through the opening 79 in the guide channel 78. In this
embodiment, it is preferred to have the sealing bars 130, 132 move
together to seal the side panels 31, 33 to the closure profiles 23,
25 at substantially the same time that the wedge 126 is inserted
into the opening 51. The sealing bars 130, 132 are then withdrawn
from the guide channel 78. The closure mechanism material 50 is
then advanced the length of one package 20 with the wedge 126 still
inserted between the closure profiles 23, 25. As will be understood
by one of ordinary skill in the art, this movement will cause the
engaged portion of the closure mechanism material 50 to disengage.
After the closure mechanism material 50 has been advanced, and thus
disengaged along the length of one package 20, the wedge 126 is
withdrawn from the closure mechanism material 50. The opened
closure mechanism material 50 continues in an opened state for
further processing, as is described below.
[0054] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3-7, the closure
mechanism material 50 is opened, but not yet sealed to the side
panels 31, 33. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8-10b, the
closure mechanism material 50 is positioned between the side panels
31, 33. The side panels 31, 33 are then heat sealed to the closure
profiles 23, 25 by sealing bars 130, 132. The various embodiments
of this invention contemplate that opening of the closure mechanism
41 and sealing of the closure profiles 23, 25 to the side panels
31, 33 can occur either sequentially (e.g. opening followed by
sealing or sealing followed by opening) or simultaneously (i.e.
opening and sealing at the same station and substantially at the
same time).
[0055] Two additional embodiments are schematically illustrated in
FIGS. 11-12, each of which incorporates a force that is external to
the closure mechanism 41 to open the closure profiles 23, 25. With
reference to FIG. 11a, a cross-sectional view of an alternate
closure mechanism 41 is shown in a closed or engaged position. The
engaged mechanism 41 is positioned between two opposing flat
surfaces 140, 141, on moveable wedges 150, 151. Upon activating the
opening apparatus 70 illustrated in FIG. 11a, the moveable wedges
150, 151 move towards each other, as best shown in FIG. 11b, with
sufficient force to "pinch" the closure profiles 23, 25 of closure
mechanism 41 into an open position. The pinching occurs as surfaces
140, 141 come in contact with closure profiles 23, 25. Following
this "pinch-open" action, the wedges 150, 151 move apart, as shown
in FIG. 11c, and reset for admission of the next closure mechanism
to be opened.
[0056] One of skill in the art will recognize many variations of
practicing the invention illustrated in FIGs. 11a-11c. For example,
one of the moveable wedges (150) could be replaced with an
immovable surface such that only one moveable wedge (151) would
have to move and pinch the closure mechanism against the immovable
surface to open these closure profiles.
[0057] A further embodiment utilizing a force external to the
closure mechanism to open the closure profiles is illustrated in
cross-section in FIGS. 12a-b. In this embodiment, a channel wedge
160 is placed over closure profile 50 (FIG. 12a), such that said
action of placement forces open the closure profiles 23, 25 (FIG.
12b). Preferably, the interior dimension 162 of the channel wedge
160 is proportioned appropriately to accomplish the opening of the
closure profiles 23, 25 without disrupting the integrity of the
package (not shown).
[0058] It is contemplated that the channel wedge embodiment
operates in a substantially similar manner the method as previously
described for the wedge illustrated in FIGS. 4a-4d. The main
difference between these distinct embodiments is that the closure
mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 4a-4d lends itself to being
split-open by inserting a wedge between the closure profiles, while
the closure mechanism of FIG. 12 is opened by a force applied
externally to the closure profiles.
[0059] Referring back to FIG. 2, after opening the closure
mechanism in accordance with the invention disclosed herein, the
continuous line of packages continues to sealing bars 112 that seal
the sides 31, 33 of the package 20. The continuous line of packages
then pass under hopper 114 that contains the product to be placed
in package 20. As the packages pass under the hopper 114, product
241 passes through the mouth of the header section 101 and into the
interior of the package 20. In certain embodiments, the mouth of
the header section 101 is then sealed by sealing bars 116 to form a
tamper-evident structure. Finally, the continuous line of packages
is separated into individual packages by cutting knife 118.
[0060] While specific embodiments and methods for practicing this
invention have been described in detail, those skilled in the art
will recognize various manifestations and details that could be
developed in light of the overall teachings herein. Accordingly,
the particular mechanisms disclosed are meant to be illustrative
only and not to limit the scope of the invention which is to be
given the full breadth of the following claims and any and all
embodiments thereof.
* * * * *