U.S. patent application number 11/443913 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-06 for zipper seal packages with seals with shaped pattern.
This patent application is currently assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. Invention is credited to Steven Ausnit.
Application Number | 20070280563 11/443913 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38442001 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070280563 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ausnit; Steven |
December 6, 2007 |
Zipper seal packages with seals with shaped pattern
Abstract
Reclosable packages include an impressed pattern which is
impinged against by the slider. This creates an aesthetically
pleasing appearance. This further creates an aesthetically pleasing
sound and corresponding tactile sensation when the slider is moved.
This sound can be enhanced by providing internal protuberances to
the slider. When a string zipper or similar zipper is used, the web
to zipper seal line can include the impressed pattern. However,
when a flanged zipper is used, the impressed pattern and the web to
flange seal lines are formed in different locations.
Inventors: |
Ausnit; Steven; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAY PITNEY LLP;ACCOUNT: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
7 TIMES SQUARE
NEW YORK
NY
10036-7311
US
|
Assignee: |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
|
Family ID: |
38442001 |
Appl. No.: |
11/443913 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/64 ;
383/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/2591 20130101;
B65D 2203/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/64 ;
383/105 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/16 20060101
B65D033/16; B65D 33/00 20060101 B65D033/00 |
Claims
1. A reclosable package including: first and second walls; a string
zipper with first and second interlocking profiles, the first
interlocking profile being joined to the first wall and the second
interlocking profile being joined to the second wall in order to
form a reclosable opening in the package; a slider on the zipper,
wherein when the slider is moved in a first direction, the first
interlocking profile and the second interlocking profile interlock
with each other and when the slider is moved in a second direction,
the first interlocking profile and the second interlocking profile
are separated from each other; and at least one patterned line,
formed on the first wall adjacent to the first interlocking
profile, against which the slider impinges, whereby when the slider
is moved, audible sounds are generated.
2. The reclosable package of claim 1 further including a first seal
line between the first wall and the first interlocking profile and
a second seal line between the second wall and the interlocking
profile and wherein the at least one patterned line is formed on at
least one of the first and second seal lines.
3. The reclosable package of claim 2 wherein the at least one
patterned line includes a first patterned line formed on the first
seal line and the a second patterned line formed on the second seal
line.
4. The reclosable package of claim 3 wherein the slider includes
internal protuberances impinging against the first and second
patterned lines.
5. The reclosable package of claim 4 wherein the slider includes
side walls upon which the protuberances are formed.
6. The reclosable package of claim 1 wherein a pattern of the
patterned lines is chosen from the group consisting of a toothed
pattern, an undulating pattern and a hill and valley pattern.
7. The reclosable package of claim 3 wherein the first and second
patterned lines are formed as the first and second seal lines by
seal bars including sealing surfaces with a corresponding
pattern.
8. The reclosable package of claim 7 wherein the seal bars comprise
a set of first and second opposed seal bars.
9. The reclosable package of claim 3 wherein the first and second
patterned lines are formed as the first and second seal lines by a
seal wheel including a sealing surface with a corresponding
pattern.
10. The reclosable package of claim 9 wherein the sealing surface
of the seal wheel is on the periphery of the seal wheel.
11. A reclosable package including: first and second walls; a
zipper including a first interlocking profile and a second
interlocking profile, the first interlocking profile including a
first interlocking element and a first flange and the second
interlocking profile including a second interlocking element and a
second flange, the first flange being joined to the first wall and
the second flange being joined to the second wall in order to form
a reclosable opening in the package; a slider on the zipper,
wherein when the slider is moved in a first direction, the first
interlocking element and the second interlocking element interlock
with each other and when the slider is moved in a second direction,
the first interlocking element and the second interlocking element
are separated from each other; and at least one patterned line,
formed on at least the first interlocking element, against which
the slider impinges, whereby when the slider is moved, audible
sounds are generated.
12. The reclosable package of claim 11 further including a first
seal line between the first wall and the first flange and a second
seal line between the second wall and the second flange and wherein
the at least one patterned line is formed simultaneously with at
least one of the first and second seal lines.
13. The reclosable package of claim 12 wherein the at least one
patterned line includes a first patterned line formed on the first
interlocking element and the a second patterned line formed on the
second interlocking element.
14. The reclosable package of claim 13 wherein the slider includes
internal protuberances impinging against the first and second
patterned lines.
15. The reclosable package of claim 14 wherein the slider includes
side walls upon which the protuberances are formed.
16. The reclosable package of claim 11 wherein a pattern of the
patterned lines is chosen from the group consisting of a toothed
pattern, an undulating pattern and a hill and valley pattern.
17. The reclosable package of claim 13 wherein the first and second
patterned lines are formed by a first portion of a set of seal bars
and the first and second seal lines are formed by a second portion
of a set of seal bars.
18. The reclosable package of claim 17 wherein the set of seal bars
comprises first and second opposed seal bars.
19. The reclosable package of claim 13 wherein the first and second
patterned lines are formed by a seal wheel including a sealing
surface with a corresponding pattern.
20. The reclosable package of claim 19 wherein the sealing surface
of the seal wheel is on the periphery of the seal wheel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a method of using seal bars
with a pattern of hills and valleys in order to create a
corresponding pattern in the seal lines along the base of the
interlocking zipper element and the web of a reclosable package.
This results in a clicking or similar sound when the slider is
moved. This sound can be enhanced by bars or similar protrusions on
the inside of the slider to contact the undulating seal lines. The
present invention further relates to the reclosable package
manufactured by this method.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In the prior art, form fill seal (FFS) methods and apparatus
are well developed. Likewise the packages, particular reclosable
packages, formed by these methods and apparatus are well developed.
However, further improvements in the tactile and visual aesthetics
of reclosable bags, which are consumer products, are always sought.
In particular, improvements in the tactile aesthetics of a slider
are sought.
[0005] Prior art in this area includes U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,260
entitled "Flexible Storage Bag with Audible Closure Indicator"
issued on Jul. 15, 2003 to Randall et.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,145
entitled "Adhesive Closure for Flexible Bag" issued on Nov. 3, 1998
to Dais et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,128 entitled "Fastener Assembly
with Slider Providing Tactile and/or Audible Feedback" issued on
Mar. 3, 1998 to Toney et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,613 entitled
"Plastic Film Zipper Bag Having Straightened Heat Seals" issued on
Oct. 6, 1992 to Herrington, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,244 entitled
"Easy Opening Bag" issued on Oct. 23, 1984 to Ausnit; U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2004/0086604, entitled "Package Having Recorded
Audio Pattern", published on May 6, 2004 for Grandey; and U.S.
Patent Publication No. 2002/0153273 entitled "Flexible Package with
Audio Tract", published on Oct. 24, 2002 for Mallik et al.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a decorative pattern on the seal lines of a reclosable
package, particularly reclosable packages manufactured by form fill
seal methods.
[0007] It is therefore a further object of the present invention to
provide a reclosable package wherein aesthetically pleasing sounds
are generated as the slider is moved.
[0008] These and other objects are attained by providing a seal bar
at the location opposite the base of the interlocking elements for
sealing the zipper to the web or film walls of a reclosable
package, wherein the seal bar contains hills and valleys or a
similar undulated pattern. This results in the pattern being
transferred to the seal line on the walls of the reclosable
package. This pattern provides a pleasing visual appearance.
Additionally, the impinging of a moving slider against the pattern
on the seal line can cause an aesthetically pleasing sound. This
sound can be enhanced by adding bars or similar protuberances
within the interior of the slider.
[0009] The patterned impressions are formed on the base of the
interlocking elements, whether a string zipper or a flange zipper.
In the case of a flanged zipper, the pattern is transferred only to
the base of the interlocking elements and typically not the walls
of the film.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Further objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following description and from the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of seal bars sealing a
string zipper to the film of a reclosable package.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top view of the seal bars sealing a string
zipper to the film of a reclosable package, each seal bar
illustrating a different possible pattern which could be on the
seal bars.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of a reclosable package produced
by the seal bars.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along plane 4-4 of FIG. 3,
showing the internal protuberances in the slider which impinge
against the undulated or patterned seal lines.
[0015] FIG. 5 shows a rotating seal wheel with a pattern formed on
the sealing surface thereof.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a seal bar which seals the
flanges of a flanged zipper to the web and forms a patterned
impression on the interlocking elements of the zipper.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like
numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one
sees that FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of shaped seal bars 10,
12 sealing the base of first and second interlocking profiles 102,
104 of string zipper 100 to first and second sheets of polymer web
or film 200, 202 thereby forming the patterned seal lines 302 as
shown in FIG. 3. String zipper 100 includes first and second
interlocking profiles 102, 104 as is well-known in the prior art.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that other zippers can be
substituted for string zipper 100, such as a flanged zipper 150 as
illustrated in FIG. 6. First and second sheets of web 200, 202 can
be formed from a single sheet of web or can be individual sheets of
web which are sealed together in order to form the reclosable
package 300 of FIG. 3.
[0018] Shaped seal bars 10, 12 have undulating patterns which can
be shaped as ripples, hills and valleys, waves or virtually any
pattern, including a random pattern. In FIG. 2, sealing bar 10 is
illustrated as having a toothed pattern while sealing bar 12 is
illustrated as having a wave pattern. In practice, the patterns of
shaped seal bars 10, 12 are typically matched to each other.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, zipper 100 includes slider 106 which
separates interlocking profiles 102, 104 when moved in an opening
direction and which joins or interlocks interlocking profiles when
moved in a closing direction, as known in the prior art.
Additionally, slider 106 is arranged to have side walls 108, 110
impinge against patterned seal lines 302 as shown in FIG. 3. This
impinging against the pattern seal lines 302 causes a clicking or
similar audible sound, and corresponding tactile sensation, as
slider 106 is moved in either the opening direction or the closing
direction. This clicking or similar noise can be enhanced by
internal protuberances such as bars 112 as shown in the
cross-sectional view of FIG. 4.
[0020] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, a rotating seal wheel 20
can be substituted for the shaped seal bars 10, 12. Rotating seal
wheel 20 includes peripheral patterned surface 22 which is similar
to the pattern on shaped seal bars 10, 12 in order to generate a
similar patterned seal line 302.
[0021] A possible alternative embodiment forms the seal lines with
a set of shaped seal bars or seal wheels and thereafter forms the
impressed pattern with a separate set of forming bars or seal
wheels.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a flanged zipper 150 with first and second
interlocking profiles 152, 154 and respective first and second
flanges 156, 158 and first and second interlocking elements 160,
162. Seal bar 50 includes lower extended sealing arm 52 which
includes a sealing surface 54 at the end thereof to seal sheet of
web 200 to first flange 156 and further includes upper arm 56 which
includes patterned end surface 58 for impressing a corresponding
patterned line 304 on the base of first interlocking element 160. A
second sealing bar (not shown) opposing first seal bar 50 is also
provided to seal second sheet of web 202 to second flange 158 and
to form a patterned line (not shown, but typically substantially
identical to patterned line 304) on the base of second interlocking
element 162. Patterned lines 304 on first and second interlocking
elements 160, 162 are impinged against by the walls of a slider
(not shown, but see slider 102 of FIG. 3) so as to produce audible
sounds and corresponding tactile sensations similar to those
produced by the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 when the slider is
moved.
[0023] Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are
most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the
invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it
should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited
thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended
claims.
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