U.S. patent application number 11/558546 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-10 for container with peelable seal assembly and method of making.
Invention is credited to David C. Ours.
Application Number | 20070104398 11/558546 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38049356 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070104398 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ours; David C. |
May 10, 2007 |
Container With Peelable Seal Assembly and Method of Making
Abstract
A seal assembly is disposed in a seal of a flexible bag. The
seal assembly includes a first tab, a second tab, a middle layer of
peelable adhesive sandwiched between the first tab and the second
tab, a first outside layer of adhesive that adheres to the first
side of the bag, and a second outside layer of adhesive that is
compatible with the second side of the bag such that second outside
layer is heat sealed to the liner. The first tab and the second tab
are easily grasped and may be pulled in opposite directions to
break the middle layer of peelable adhesive. The middle layer is
heat resistant such that the first tab and the second tab do not
melt together during the formation of the seal.
Inventors: |
Ours; David C.; (Marshall,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William H. Honaker;Dickinson Wright PLLC
Ste. 2000
38525 Woodward Ave.
Bloomfield Hills
MI
48304-2970
US
|
Family ID: |
38049356 |
Appl. No.: |
11/558546 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60735452 |
Nov 10, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/211 ;
383/203; 383/61.2; 383/63; 383/906 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 61/188 20130101;
B65D 33/18 20130101; B65D 33/20 20130101; B65B 9/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/211 ;
383/203; 383/061.2; 383/063; 383/906 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/00 20060101
B65D033/00; B65D 33/16 20060101 B65D033/16 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a body portion having an inner wall
defining an interior cavity and first and second opposed ends; a
seal assembly mounted within one of said opposed ends, said seal
assembly having opposed first and second tabs with each of said
tabs having inner and outer sides; a first adhesive sandwiched
between said first and second tabs engaging said inner sides of
said first and second tabs, said first adhesive is a peelable heat
resistant adhesive to prevent said first and second tabs from
melting together during formation of said container and to allow
for easy opening of said container; a second adhesive between said
outer side of said first tab and said inner wall of said body
portion adhering said first tab to said inner wall of said body
portion adjacent said first opposed end, said second adhesive is a
more permanent adhesive than the first adhesive for more
permanently adhering said first tab to said inner wall to properly
align and hold said first tab in position; a third adhesive between
said outer side of said second tab and said inner wall of said body
portion adhering said second tab to said inner wall of said body
portion adjacent said first opposed end; said tabs being adapted to
be pulled apart to release said peelable adhesive and open said
container.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein said body portion of said
container has a first outer layer of high density polyethylene and
said wall is a peelable adhesive.
3. The container of claim 1 wherein said body portion of said
container is a single layer of high density polyethylene.
4. The container of claim 1 wherein said second adhesive layer is a
peelable adhesive.
5. The container of claim 4 wherein said second adhesive layer is a
vinyl based adhesive.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein said third adhesive is a low
density polyethylene.
7. The container of claim 1 wherein said seal assembly extends
across said first opposed end.
8. The container of claim 1 wherein said seal assembly extends
across a portion of said first opposed end.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein said first opposed end is
sealed across the entire length; and said seal assembly facilitates
opening of said bag and functions as a pour spout.
10. The container of claim 7, wherein said seal assembly further
includes a fourth adhesive sandwiched between said first and second
tabs engaging said inner sides of said first and second tabs; said
fourth adhesive is a re-sealable peelable adhesive.
11. The container of claim 8, wherein said seal assembly further
includes a fourth adhesive sandwiched between said first and second
tabs engaging said inner sides of said first and second tabs; said
fourth adhesive is a re-sealable peelable adhesive.
12. The container of claim 10, wherein said fourth adhesive is a
water and solvent based adhesive.
13. The container of claim 11, wherein said fourth adhesive is a
water and solvent based adhesive.
14. The container of claim 1, wherein said seal assembly further
includes an elongated snap fastener disposed between said first and
second tabs such that said container can be re-sealed after being
opened.
15. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first
and second tabs are brightly colored.
16. A seal assembly for use in a container having first and second
opposed ends and an interior cavity defined by an inner wall, said
seal assembly comprising: opposed first and second tabs with each
of said tabs having inner and outer sides; a first peelable heat
resistant adhesive sandwiched between said first and second tabs
engaging said inner sides of said first and second tabs; said outer
side of said first tab having a second more permanent adhesive than
the first peelable heat resistant adhesive which is adapted to be
secured to the inner wall of the container for positioning and
adhering said first tab to the inner wall adjacent the first
opposed end; said outer side of said second tab being adapted to be
secured to the inner wall of the container adhering said second tab
to the inner wall adjacent the first opposed end; said tabs being
adapted to be pulled apart to release said peelable adhesive and
open the container.
17. The seal assembly of claim 16, further including a third
adhesive layer engaging said outer side of said second tab and
adapted to secure said outer side of said second tab to the inner
side of the container.
18. The flexible bag of claim 16, wherein said second adhesive
layer is a peelable adhesive that more permanently adheres said
first tab to the inner wall of the container.
19. The flexible bag of claim 18, wherein said second adhesive
layer is a vinyl based adhesive.
20. The flexible bag of claim 16, wherein said second adhesive
layer is a vinyl based adhesive.
21. The flexible bag of claim 19, wherein said third adhesive is a
low density polyethylene.
22. The container of claim 16, wherein said seal assembly further
includes a fourth adhesive sandwiched between said first and second
tabs engaging said inner sides of said first and second tabs, such
that said container can be re-sealed after being opened; said
fourth adhesive is a re-sealable peelable adhesive.
23. The container of claim 22, wherein said fourth adhesive is a
water and solvent based adhesive.
24. The container of claim 16, wherein said seal assembly further
includes an elongated snap fastener disposed between said first and
second tabs such that said container can be re-sealed after being
opened.
25. The container of claim 16, wherein at least one of said first
and second tabs are brightly colored.
26. A method of making a container having a seal assembly, said
method comprising steps of: providing a container having an inner
wall defining an interior cavity and first and second opposed ends;
providing a seal assembly having opposed first and second tabs with
each of said tabs having inner and outer sides; sandwiching a first
peelable heat resistant adhesive between said first and second tabs
engaging said inner sides of said first and second tabs;
positioning and adhering with a second more permanent adhesive than
said first peelable heat resistant adhesive said outer side of said
first tab to said inner wall of said container adjacent said first
opposed end; adhering with a third adhesive said outer side of said
second tab to said inner wall of said container adjacent said first
opposed end.
27. The method of claim 26, further including the steps of:
providing a bagger assembly having a label placer, a filler tube, a
first heat seal extending along said filler tube and a second heat
seal extending across the terminal end of said filler tube;
providing at least one of said seal assembly within said label
placer; providing a supply of liner material having an outer
surface and inner surface and side edges; feeding said liner
material adjacent said label placer, controlling said label placer
to dispense said seal assembly from said label placer and
positioning said second permanent adhesive on said outer side of
said first tab to said inner surface of said liner material;
feeding said liner around said filler tube and joining said side
edges against each other, engaging said first heat seal against
said joined edges sealing said joined edges together to define a
body portion having said first and second opposed ends; engaging
said first and second opposed ends with said second heat seal to
seal said second opposed end and engaging said first opposed end
adjacent said seal assembly to heat seal said second tab liner with
said third adhesive to said inner surface without melting said
first and second tabs together.
28. The method of claim 27, further including the step of
continuously forming said container wherein said first opposed end
of said container is adjacent said second opposed end of said next
container; said second heat seal seals said second opposed end and
adheres said seal assembly to said first opposed end and cuts said
liner between said first and second opposed ends to create a first
container having said opposed ends sealed and a second container
having said second opposed end sealed and said first opposed end
prepared to be sealed when said second opposed end reaches said
second heat seal.
29. The method of claim 26, further including the step of filling
said container with a product through said fill tube as said
container is being formed around said fill tube.
30. The method of claim 26, further including the steps of brightly
coloring at least one of said first and second tabs.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/735,452 for a FLEXIBLE BAG WITH
PEELABLE SEAL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MAKING, filed on Nov. 10,
2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] A container, particularly a flexible bag with a peelable
seal assembly and a method of making the same as disclosed
herein.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Traditionally, containers and more particularly flexible
bags are formed from a liner with a first side and a second side
folded over the first side. The sides of the bag are heat sealed
together to create a seal to enclose and seal contents within the
bag. Such flexible bags are used for storing contents for a variety
of goods such as for example food products and more specifically
ready to eat breakfast cereals packages for crackers, cookies,
candies, baking goods etc. The user pulls on the sides along the
seal to break the seal and to access the contents of the bag.
Generally the seals of the bag are difficult to break and the seals
may have more integrity than the sides of the bag thereby requiring
the user to tear the sides of the bag to access the contents of the
bag.
[0006] It is known in the art to coextrude a peelable adhesive with
the liner such that, when the second side is folded over the first
side, the peelable adhesive faces itself. Therefore, when the seals
are formed, the peelable adhesive of the first side adheres to the
peelable adhesive of the second side. The peelable adhesive reduces
the effort required to open the bag along the seals. The thickness
of the peelable adhesive has an affect on the effort required to
break the seal. However, the coextrusion of the peelable adhesive
with the liner is difficult to control thereby making it difficult
to consistently create bags with the same low opening effort.
Additionally, the heat sealing process varies and it can be
difficult to create identical seals on consecutive bags. In other
words, it is difficult to maintain low tolerances in the process of
heat sealing and the seals created by the process may have varying
opening efforts. Therefore, the manufacturer of the bag must err on
the side of higher opening efforts to eliminate the possibility of
inadvertent openings along the seals.
[0007] In addition, the sides of the liner are thin and flexible
and are therefore difficult to grasp to tear the seals. In
addition, after the seal has been broken, the thin and flexible bag
is wrinkled in the area of the seal and contents of the bag are
trapped in the wrinkles when the contents of the bag are poured out
of the bag. Therefore, as the contents of the bag are poured out of
the bag the contents may get caught in the wrinkles thereby making
it difficult to neatly pour the contents out of the bag.
Additionally, if contents remain in the bag after the seal has been
broken, the bag must be folded or a clip must be clipped onto the
bag along the seal to keep the contents of the bag sealed within
the bag.
[0008] It is desirable to manufacture a container, such as for
example a flexible bag that is heat sealed together along a seal
and is easily opened along the seal. Likewise, it is desirable to
manufacture a bag that is easily grasped to pull the bag open along
the seal and a method of making the same. It is also desirable to
manufacture a flexible bag that does not have wrinkles along the
seal to allow the contents of the bag to be neatly poured from the
bag. It is also desirable to manufacture a bag that has a
pre-defined pour spout that facilitates to pouring of the contents
from the bag. Additionally, it is desirable to manufacture a bag
that can be resealed along the seal to store the contents for later
use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
[0009] The current invention is a container and in the preferred
embodiment a flexible bag with a seal assembly. The bag includes a
first side and a second side folded over the first side. The sides
are heat sealed together along seals. The seal assembly is disposed
in the seal and includes a first tab, a second tab, a middle layer
of peelable adhesive sandwiched between the first tab and the
second tab, a first outside layer of adhesive that more securely
adheres or more permanently adheres to the first side of the bag,
and a second outside layer of adhesive that is compatible with the
second side of the bag such that second outside layer is heat
sealed to the liner and as with the first outside layer of adhesive
to more securely adhere the second tab to the liner. The first tab
and the second tab are easily grasped and may be pulled in opposite
directions to break the middle layer of peelable adhesive. The
middle layer is heat resistant such that the first tab and the
second tab do not melt together during the formation of the seal. A
resealable peelable adhesive may also be disposed between the first
tab and the second tab. The tabs may also be brightly colored or
printed upon.
[0010] Accordingly, the tabs are easily grasped and the thickness
of the middle layer of peelable adhesive may be easily controlled
such that variation in the effort to open various bags is
eliminated and the effort required to peel the tabs apart may be
controlled at a low effort. Likewise, the bright color or printing
on the tabs alerts the user to the easily opened area. Also, the
tabs reinforce the flexible liner and act as a pour spout when the
contents of the bag are poured out of the bag. Additionally, the
resealable peelable adhesive allows the user to reseal the bag
along the seal to preserve the freshness of the contents of the
bag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated, as the same become better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible bag with a seal
assembly;
[0013] FIG. 2a is a front view of the flexible bag with a seal
assembly wherein the seal assembly extends across an entire length
of a seal;
[0014] FIG. 2b is a front view of the flexible bag with the seal
assembly wherein the seal assembly extends across a portion of the
seal;
[0015] FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of the bag wherein the
liner of the bag includes a first layer and a second layer;
[0016] FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of the bag wherein the
liner of the bag has a single layer;
[0017] FIG. 3c is a cross-sectional view of the bag wherein the
seal assembly includes a re-sealable peelable adhesive;
[0018] FIG. 3d is a cross-sectional view of the bag wherein the
seal assembly includes a snap fastener; and
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bagger assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate
corresponding parts throughout the several views, a flexible bag 20
with a peelable seal assembly 22 is shown.
[0021] The bag 20 is formed from a liner 24 which includes a first
layer 26 and a second layer 28 coextruded with the first layer 26
(See FIGS. 1 and 3a). The first layer 26 is preferably high density
polyethylene. The second layer 28 is a peelable adhesive, and is
more preferably low density polyethylene with polybutylene. It will
be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that a peelable
adhesive is an adhesive that has less adhesive strength allowing it
to be peeled apart or opened. An example of a peelable adhesive is
the use of an adhesive layer that has an additive mixed into the
adhesive layer to lower the adhesive strength. Those of ordinary
skill in the art commonly refer to this additive as a contaminant.
The liner 24 is folded to define a first side 30 and a second side
32 such that the second layer 28 of the liner 24 faces itself and
the first layer 26 of the liner 24 faces outwardly. The first side
30 and the second side 32 of the bag 20 are heat sealed together
along a top seal 34, a bottom seal 36 (see FIG. 2a), and a side
seal 38. When heat is applied to create the seals 34, 36, 38, the
second layer 28 of the first side 30 and the second layer 28 of the
second side 32 melt and adhere to one another to create the seals
34, 36, 38 upon cooling. Contents may be added to the bag 20 prior
to the formation of any of the seals 34, 36, 38. The contents may
be any products such as for example, food items like cookies,
crackers, candy, baking goods, etc. One particular use of the
present invention is for packaging ready-to-eat breakfast
cereal.
[0022] The seal assembly 22 is disposed between the first side 30
and the second side 32 of the bag 20 and is more specifically
sealed along the top seal 34, (see FIGS. 1, 2a and 3a).
[0023] The peelable seal assembly 22 includes a first tab 40, a
second tab 42 facing the first tab 40, a middle layer 44 sandwiched
between the first tab 40 and the second tab 42, a first outside
layer 46 disposed on the first tab 40 opposite the middle layer 44,
and a second outside layer 48 disposed on the second tab 42
opposite the middle layer 44. In the disclosed embodiment, the
middle layer 44 extends along an entire length of the first tab 40
and the second tab 42, but it will be appreciated by those of
ordinary skill in the art that the middle layer 44 could be shorter
than the tabs 40 and 42 or spaced at intervals along the length of
the tabs 40 and 42. The first tab 40 and the second tab 42 are
wider than the middle layer 44 such that the first tab 40 presents
a first extension 70 extending beyond the middle layer 44 and the
second tab 42 presents a second extension 72 extending beyond the
middle layer 44.
[0024] In the disclosed embodiment, the first tab 40 and the second
tab 42 are made of the same material and the material may be for
example, polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyester. The middle
layer 44 is a peelable adhesive that is preferably a resin blend.
More specifically, the resin blend may include Surlyn.RTM. which is
manufactured by DuPont. Alternatively, the resin blend may include
low density polyethylene or other materials designed to achieve the
results intended by the present invention. The middle layer 44 is
heat resistant such that the middle layer 44 does not allow the
tabs 40, 42 to weld together during the application of heat for
forming the top seal 34. The first outside layer 46 is a peelable
adhesive that more permanently adheres to the second layer 28 of
the liner 24 when applied to the second layer 28. Preferably the
first outside layer 46 is a vinyl based adhesive. The second
outside layer 48 is an adhesive that is compatible with the second
layer 28 of the liner 24 to more permanently seal to the liner 24
during the formation of the top seal 34. The second outside layer
48 is preferably low density polyethylene.
[0025] When the seal assembly 22 is heat sealed into the top seal
34, the first outside layer 46, the second outside layer 48, the
first tab 40, and the second tab 42 may melt to adhere to the liner
24. However, the middle layer 44 extends between the first tab 40
and the second tab 42 and because the middle layer 44 is heat
resistant, the first tab 40 and the second tab 42 do not adhere to
each other.
[0026] The user grasps the first extension 70 of the first tab 40
and the second extension 72 of the second tab 42 and pulls the tabs
40, 42 in opposite directions to separate the tabs 40, 42. More
specifically, when the user pulls the tabs 40, 42 in opposite
directions, the integrity of the middle layer 44 is compromised and
the tabs 40, 42 separate. The first tab 40 and the second tab 42
may be brightly colored or may be printed upon such that it is
evident that the first tab 40 and the second tab 42 may be grasped
and pulled apart to access the contents of the bag 20.
[0027] The bonding strength of the middle layer 44 between the
first tab 40 and the second tab 42 is easily controlled and is not
affected by the heat sealing process such that the effort to
separate the tabs 40, 42 and therefore the effort to open the bag
20 is consistent. Additionally, in the disclosed embodiment, the
tabs 40, 42 are stiffer than the liner 24 and reinforce the liner
24 such that, after the bag 20 has been opened along the top seal
34, the tabs 40, 42 act as a pour spout and such that the contents
of the bag 20 do not become lodged in wrinkles in the liner 24 as
the contents are poured from the bag 20.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2a, the seal assembly 22 may be disposed
along an entire length of the top seal 34. Alternatively, as shown
in FIG. 2b, the seal assembly 22 may be disposed along a portion of
the top seal 34. If the seal assembly 22 is disposed along a
portion of the top seal 24, after the user has separated the tabs
40, 42, the user continues to pull the tabs 40, 42 in opposite
directions such that the second layer 28 of the liner 24 easily
separates from itself along the top seal 34.
[0029] Additionally, as seen in FIG. 3c, a re-sealable peelable
adhesive 66 may be disposed between the first tab layer 40 and the
second tab layer 42. Preferably, the resealable peelable adhesive
66 is disposed on the seal assembly 22 extending along the entire
length of the top seal 34 such that the seal assembly 22 may be
resealed along the entire length of the top seal 34 to preserve the
freshness of the contents of the bag 20. Preferably, the resealable
peelable adhesive is a water and solvent based adhesive.
[0030] Additionally, as seen in FIG. 3d, an elongated snap fastener
68 may be disposed between the first outside layer 46 and the
second outside layer 48 of the seal assembly 22. The snap fastener
68 includes an elongated male portion and a complimentary elongated
female portion wherein the female portion receives and engages the
male portion to seal the female portion and the male portion
together.
[0031] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3b, the liner 24 may be a
single layer 50 that is preferably high density polyethylene. In
such an embodiment, the first outside layer 46 of the seal assembly
22 is a peelable adhesive that more permanently adheres to the
single layer 50 of the liner 24 when applied to the single layer
50. Likewise, the second outside layer 48 of the seal assembly 22
is an adhesive that is compatible with the single layer 50 of the
liner 24 to more permanently seal to the single layer 50 during the
formation of the top seal 34. In such an embodiment, the single
layer 50 would be heat sealed to itself along the top seal 34 and
the bag 20 would only be opened along the seal assembly 22.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the bag 20 is formed on a bagger
assembly 52. The bagger assembly 52 includes a backstand 54, a
labeler 56 disposed on the backstand 54, a filler tube 58 that is
generally cylindrically shaped and extends generally vertically,
vertical heat seal jaws 60 extending along the filler tube 58, and
horizontal heat seal jaws 62 are disposed below the filler tube 58.
If the liner 24 includes the first layer 26 and the second layer
28, the liner 24 is oriented flatly along the backstand 54 with the
second layer 28 of the liner 24 facing upwardly away from the
backstand 54.
[0033] The method of forming the bag 20 includes continuously
feeding the liner 24 along the backstand 54 to the filler tube 58.
The liner 24 is fed along the backstand 54 below the labeler
56.
[0034] The method further includes facing the first outside layer
46 of the seal assembly 22 toward the liner 24 on the backstand 54
and adhering the first outside layer 46 to the liner 24. More
specifically, the labeler 56 orientates the seal assembly 22 such
that the first outside layer 46 faces the liner 24. The labeler 56
also dispenses the seal assembly 22 onto the liner 24 such that the
first outside layer 46 adheres to the liner 24.
[0035] The method further includes continuously feeding the liner
24 around the filler tube 58 and overlapping opposite ends 64 of
the liner 24 between the vertical heat seal jaws 60. As the liner
24 is fed from the backstand 54 to the filler tube 58 the liner 24
conforms to the cylindrical shape of the filler tube 58 and the
opposite ends 64 of the liner 24 are overlapped. If the liner 24
includes the first layer 26 and the second layer 28, the liner 24
is orientated such that the second layer 28 faces inwardly toward
the cylinder and the second layer 28 is facing itself along the
opposite ends 64 of the liner 24.
[0036] The method further includes forming the side seal 38 of the
bag 20 by closing the vertical heat seal jaws 60 to seal the
opposite ends 64 of the liner 24 together.
[0037] The method further includes forming the top seal 34 and the
bottom seal 36 of consecutive bags 20 by closing the horizontal
heat seal jaws 62 to seal the liner 24 together and cutting the
consecutive bags 20 apart between the seals 34, 36.
[0038] The method further includes feeding the contents of the bag
20 through the filler tube 58 to fill the contents into the bag
20.
[0039] The method further includes timing the step of adhering the
first outside layer 46 of the seal assembly 22 to the liner 24 such
that the seal assembly 22 is adhered to liner 24 in register with
the horizontal seal jaws 62 such that the seal assembly 22 is
disposed between the horizontal seal jaws 62 when the liner 24 is
advanced and the seal jaws 62 are closed. More specifically, the
bagger includes an end coder that records the length of liner 24
that has passed through bagger and the labeler 56 communicates
mechanically or electrically with the end coder to adhere the seal
assembly 22 in register with the seal jaws 62.
[0040] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner,
and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used
is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings,
and
[0041] the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described.
* * * * *