U.S. patent application number 11/789262 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-30 for sealing gussets together through apertures in multi-wall paper and woven polypropylene packages or bags.
This patent application is currently assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. Invention is credited to Clifton R. Howell, Kevin Owen.
Application Number | 20080267539 11/789262 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39564630 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080267539 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Howell; Clifton R. ; et
al. |
October 30, 2008 |
Sealing gussets together through apertures in multi-wall paper and
woven polypropylene packages or bags
Abstract
Reclosable gusseted packages or bags have improved resistance to
leaking or spilling through the gussets by sealing the gussets
together through apertures in the gusset walls, by sealing the
zipper flanges together through apertures passing through the
gussets in the package or bag, or by sewing the gussets shut in
areas proximate to the zipper.
Inventors: |
Howell; Clifton R.; (Buford,
GA) ; Owen; Kevin; (Flowery Branch, GA) |
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: |
39564630 |
Appl. No.: |
11/789262 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/2591 20130101;
B65D 31/10 20130101; B65D 33/2508 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/64 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/24 20060101
B65D033/24 |
Claims
1. A reclosable package or bag comprising: a front wall and a rear
wall; a first gusset formed between a first edge of the front wall
and a first edge of the rear wall, the first gusset including a
first front gusset wall and a first rear gusset wall; a second
gusset formed between a second edge of the front wall and a second
edge of the rear wall, the second gusset including a second front
gusset wall and a second rear gusset wall; a mouth formed between a
top edge of the front wall and a top edge of the rear wall; a
reclosable zipper secured to the front and rear walls proximate to
the mouth; and wherein the first front gusset wall includes a first
front gusset wall aperture and the first rear gusset wall includes
a first rear gusset wall aperture, wherein when the first front
gusset wall aperture and the first rear gusset wall aperture align,
a first portion of the front wall is sealed to a first portion of
the rear wall through the aligned first front and rear gusset wall
apertures; and wherein the second front gusset wall includes a
second front gusset wall aperture and the second rear gusset wall
includes a second rear gusset wall aperture, wherein when the
second front gusset wall aperture and the second rear gusset wall
aperture align, a second portion of the front wall is sealed to a
second portion of the rear wall through the aligned second front
and rear gusset wall apertures.
2. The reclosable package or bag of claim 1 wherein the first and
second portions of the front wall are sealed to the respective
first and second portions of the rear wall by conduction or
ultrasonic heat sealing.
3. The reclosable package or bag of claim 1 wherein the first and
second portions of the front wall are sealed to the respective
first and second portions of the rear wall by adhesive.
4. The reclosable package or bag of claim 1 wherein the gusset wall
apertures are formed in an area of the front and rear gusset walls
proximate to the reclosable zipper.
5. The reclosable package or bag of claim 1 wherein the first front
gusset wall and the first rear gusset wall form a first inwardly
pointing V-shape and the second front gusset wall and the second
rear gusset wall form a second inwardly pointing V-shape.
6. The reclosable package or bag of claim 1 wherein the gusset
walls are formed of a same material as the front wall and the rear
wall.
7. The reclosable package or bag of claim 1 wherein the gusset
walls are formed integrally with the front wall and the rear
wall.
8. The reclosable package or bag of claim 1 wherein the reclosable
zipper includes a first profile attached to the front wall, a
second profile attached to the rear wall, and a slider to interlock
the first and second profiles when moved in a first direction and
to separate the first and second profiles when moved in a second
direction.
9. A reclosable package or bag comprising: a front wall including a
first front wall aperture and a second front wall aperture; a rear
wall including a first rear wall aperture and a second rear wall
aperture; a first gusset formed between a first edge of the front
wall and a first edge of the rear wall, the first gusset including
a first front gusset wall and a first rear gusset wall; a second
gusset formed between a second edge of the front wall and a second
edge of the rear wall, the second gusset including a second front
gusset wall and a second rear gusset wall; a mouth formed between a
top edge of the front wall and a top edge of the rear wall; a
reclosable zipper including a first flange secured to the front
wall and a second flange secured to the rear wall proximate to the
mouth; and wherein the first front gusset wall includes a first
front gusset wall aperture and the first rear gusset wall includes
a first rear gusset wall aperture, wherein when the first front
gusset wall aperture, the first rear gusset wall aperture, the
first front wall aperture and the first rear wall aperture align, a
first portion of the first flange is sealed to a first portion of
the second flange through the aligned first front and rear gusset
wall apertures and the first front and rear wall apertures; and
wherein the second front gusset wall includes a second front gusset
wall aperture and the second rear gusset wall includes a second
rear gusset wall aperture, wherein when the second front gusset
wall aperture, the second rear gusset wall aperture, the second
front wall aperture and the second rear wall aperture align, a
second portion of the first flange is sealed to a second portion of
the second flange through the aligned second front and rear gusset
wall apertures and the second front and rear wall apertures.
10. The reclosable package or bag of claim 9 wherein the first and
second portions of the first flange are sealed to the respective
first and second portions of the second flange by conduction or
ultrasonic heat sealing.
11. The reclosable package or bag of claim 9 wherein the first and
second portions of the front wall are sealed to the respective
first and second portions of the rear wall by adhesive.
12. The reclosable package or bag of claim 9 wherein the gusset
wall apertures and the wall apertures are formed in an area of the
gussets and the walls, respectively, proximate to the reclosable
zipper.
13. The reclosable package or bag of claim 9 wherein the first
front gusset wall and the first rear gusset wall form a first
inwardly pointing V-shape and the second front gusset wall and the
second rear gusset wall form a second inwardly pointing
V-shape.
14. The reclosable package or bag of claim 9 wherein the gusset
walls are formed of a same material as the front wall and the rear
wall.
15. The reclosable package or bag of claim 9 wherein the gusset
walls are formed integrally with the front wall and the rear
wall.
16. The reclosable package or bag of claim 9 wherein the reclosable
zipper includes a first profile including the first flange, a
second profile including the second flange, and a slider to
interlock the first and second profiles when moved in a first
direction and to separate the first and second profiles when moved
in a second direction.
17. A reclosable package or bag comprising: a front wall and a rear
wall; a first gusset formed between a first edge of the front wall
and a first edge of the rear wall; a second gusset formed between a
second edge of the front wall and a second edge of the rear wall; a
mouth formed between a top edge of the front wall and a top edge of
the rear wall; a reclosable zipper secured to the front and rear
walls proximate to the mouth; a first stitch joining a first
portion of the front wall, the first front gusset wall, the first
rear gusset wall and a first portion of the rear wall; and a second
stitch joining a second portion of the front wall, the second front
gusset wall, the second rear gusset wall and a second portion of
the rear wall.
18. The reclosable package or bag of claim 17 wherein the first and
second stitches are formed from thread.
19. The reclosable package or bag of claim 17 wherein the first
front gusset wall and the first rear gusset wall form a first
inwardly pointing V-shape and the second front gusset wall and the
second rear gusset wall form a second inwardly pointing
V-shape.
20. The reclosable package or bag of claim 17 wherein the
reclosable zipper includes a first profile attached to the front
wall, a second profile attached to the second wall, and a slider to
interlock the first and second profiles when moved in a first
direction and to separate the first and second profiles when moved
in a second direction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to improving the leak-proof or
spill-resistant quality of gussets in reclosable packages,
particularly those made with multi-wall paper or woven
polypropylene. This is achieved by sealing the gussets together
through apertures in the gusset walls, by sealing the zipper
flanges together through apertures passing through the gussets, or
by sewing the gusset shut.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In the prior art of reclosable packages or bags, it is well
known to use gussets between the front and rear walls to increase
the capacity of the package or bag with only a small increase in
the packaging material, such as multi-wall paper or
polypropylene.
[0005] However, the use of gussets can increase the tendency for
the contents of the reclosable package or bag to leak from the
gusset area proximate to the intersection of the package or bag
walls and the zipper. More specifically, the contents can travel up
the center of the package or bag, between the zipper profiles and
out the gusset.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
eliminate or reduce the leakage of contents of a gusseted
reclosable package or bag through the gussets proximate to the
intersection of the zipper profiles and the package or bag
walls.
[0007] This and other objects are attained by sealing the gussets
together through apertures in the gusset walls, by sealing the
zipper flanges together through apertures passing through the
gussets, or by sewing the gussets shut in areas proximate to the
zipper.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Further objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following description and claims, and from the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view, partially in phantom, of a prior art
gusseted package or bag, showing the route through which contents
may inadvertently escape.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along plane 2-2 of FIG.
1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along plane 3-3 of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the expanded walls of the
package or bag of the first embodiment of the present invention
prior to the installation of the reclosable zipper.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of the
collapsed walls of the package or bag of the first embodiment of
the present invention prior to the installation of the reclosable
zipper.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a plan view, partially in phantom, of the package
or bag of the first embodiment of the present invention after
installation of the reclosable zipper. This plan view is likewise
applicable to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of the
expanded walls of the package or bag of the second embodiment of
the present invention prior to the installation of the reclosable
zipper.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of the
collapsed walls of the package or bag of the second embodiment of
the present invention prior to the installation of the reclosable
zipper.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the expanded walls of the
package or bag of the third embodiment of the present invention
prior to the installation of the reclosable zipper.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of the
collapsed walls of the package or bag of the third embodiment of
the present invention prior to the installation of the reclosable
zipper.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a plan view, partially in phantom, of the package
or bag of the third embodiment of the present invention after
installation of the reclosable zipper.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like
numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one
sees that FIG. 1 is a plan view, partially in phantom, of a prior
art reclosable package or bag 100 and that FIGS. 2 and 3 are
cross-sectional views thereof. The package or bag 100 is formed
from co-extensive front wall 102 and rear wall 104 which are
typically formed from polymeric materials (such as, but not limited
to, polyethylene or polypropylene, including woven polypropylene),
multi-wall paper or laminates. Gussets 106, 108 (illustrated in
phantom in FIG. 1 and in cross section in FIG. 2) are formed as
inwardly pointing folds between the side edges of front and rear
walls 102, 104, typically integral with, or at least of the same
material as, front and rear walls 102, 104. Gusset 106 is formed
from gusset walls 106a, 106b in an inwardly pointing V-shaped
configuration while gusset 108 is formed from gusset walls 108a,
108b in an inwardly pointing V-shaped configuration. The bottom
edges of front and rear walls 102, 104 are sealed or otherwise
closed or joined to form bottom 110. Mouth 112 is formed between
the top edges of front and rear walls 102, 104. Zipper assembly 200
is sealed, glued or otherwise secured to the upper exterior of
front and rear walls 102, 104. As shown best in FIG. 3, zipper
assembly 200 includes first profile 202 and second profile 204.
First profile 202 includes first interlocking element 206 and first
flange 210. Second profile 204 includes second interlocking element
208 and second flange 212. First and second flanges 210, 212 are
sealed, glue or otherwise secured to the upper exterior of front
and rear walls 102, 104, respectively. Typically, zipper assembly
200 includes slider 214 mounted on first and second profiles 202,
204. Slider 214 operates in a conventional manner of interlocking
first and second interlocking elements 206, 208 with each other
when moved in a first direction and separating first and second
interlocking elements 206, 208 when moved in a second direction.
However, alternatively, first and second interlocking elements 206,
208 may have a "press-to-close" configuration in which no slider is
required.
[0021] As shown by the circuitous path indicated by the arrow in
FIG. 1, this design is susceptible to contents within package or
bag 100 traveling up the center of the package or bag 100, between
the first and second flanges 210, 212 and out the gussets 106, 108.
This leakage or spillage is illustrated for the first gusset 106
but is equally applicable to the second gusset 108.
[0022] This deficiency can be minimized or eliminated by closing
the gussets 106, 108 proximate to the zipper assembly 200 as
illustrated in the embodiments of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a first embodiment of the present
invention wherein apertures 120, 122, 130, 132 are formed in gusset
walls, 106a, 106b, 108, 108b, respectively. When the gussets 106,
108 are collapsed as shown in FIG. 5, apertures 120, 122 align with
each other so that a portion of front wall 102 contacts a portion
of rear wall 104 through the aligned apertures 120, 122. Similarly,
apertures 130, 132 align with each other so that a portion of front
wall 102 contacts a portion of rear wall 104 through the aligned
apertures 130, 132. When the first and second flanges 210, 212 of
zipper assembly 200 are placed over front and rear walls 102, 104
and sealed thereto, front wall 102 is sealed to rear wall 104
through aligned apertures 120, 122 and through aligned apertures
130, 132 thereby closing the upper ends of the gussets 106, 108 and
eliminating or reducing the spillage described above. The sealing
can be heat sealing by ultrasonic or conduction, or can be by
adhesive. Alternatively, grommets (not shown) can pass through
aligned apertures 120, 122 and 130, 132. The resulting package or
bag 100 is illustrated in FIG. 6. The parenthetical notations to
numerals 118, 124, 128, 134 apply to the extent that FIG. 6
likewise illustrates the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the present
invention wherein apertures 118, 124 (in phantom) are formed in
front and rear walls 102, 104 respectively, so as to align with
apertures 120, 122. Likewise, apertures 128, 134 are formed in
front and rear walls 102, 104, respectively so as to align with
apertures 130, 132. When the gussets 106, 108 are collapsed as
shown in FIG. 8, apertures 118, 120, 122, 124 align with each
other. Similarly, apertures 128, 130, 132, 134 align with each
other. When the first and second flanges 210, 212 of zipper
assembly 200 are placed over front and rear walls 102, 104 and
sealed thereto, portions of first flange 210 are sealed to portions
of second flange 212 through aligned apertures 118, 120, 122, 124
and through aligned apertures 128, 130, 132, 134 thereby closing
the upper ends of the gussets 106, 108 and eliminating or reducing
the spillage described above. The resulting package or bag 100 is
illustrated in FIG. 6, as is the first previously described first
embodiment. Alternatively, grommets (not shown) can pass through
aligned apertures 118, 120, 122, 124 and 128, 130, 132, 134.
[0025] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a third embodiment of the present
invention wherein thread or similar material is used to form first
and second stitches 150, 152. First stitch 150 stitches together
gusset walls 106a, 106b with the portions of front and rear walls
102, 104 which contact the gusset walls 106a, 106b. Likewise,
second stitch 152 stitches together gusset walls 108a, 108b with
the portions of front and rear walls 102, 104 which contact the
gusset walls 108a, 108b. Stitches 150, 152 close the upper ends of
the gussets 106, 108 thereby eliminating or reducing the leakage
described above. As shown in phantom in FIG. 11, typically,
stitches 150, 152 are formed in an area of front and rear walls
102, 104 which is covered by the zipper flanges 210, 212.
[0026] 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.
* * * * *