U.S. patent application number 12/356667 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-29 for reclosable bag with tear open feature.
This patent application is currently assigned to COM-PAC INTERNATIONAL, INC.. Invention is credited to Christopher Pemberton, Gregory S. Sprehe, Donald Wright.
Application Number | 20110235951 12/356667 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44656576 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110235951 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sprehe; Gregory S. ; et
al. |
September 29, 2011 |
RECLOSABLE BAG WITH TEAR OPEN FEATURE
Abstract
A reclosable back-seam bag having a top seal and a bottom seal,
and a front wall and a back wall is disclosed. The front wall is
joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal. The
reclosable back-seam bag includes a reclosable fastener that
includes two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip
having a front wall connecting flange and a second continuous
elongated profile strip having a back wall connecting flange. The
first continuous elongated profile strip includes a male
interlocking profile having at least one male interlocking member,
and the second continuous elongated profile strip includes a female
interlocking profile having at least one female interlocking
member. The male interlocking member is configured so as to cause
the male interlocking profile to be separated from the female
interlocking profile with a substantially equal opening force when
being separated in a direction toward said top seal as when
separated in a direction toward said bottom seal. At least one
frangible access portion disposed substantially parallel to said
reclosable fastener assembly may be provided to expose the
releasable fastener assembly and/or the contents of the bag.
Inventors: |
Sprehe; Gregory S.;
(Carbondale, IL) ; Wright; Donald; (Murphysboro,
IL) ; Pemberton; Christopher; (Marion, IL) |
Assignee: |
COM-PAC INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Carbondale
IL
|
Family ID: |
44656576 |
Appl. No.: |
12/356667 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10788093 |
Feb 26, 2004 |
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12356667 |
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09660210 |
Sep 12, 2000 |
6726612 |
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10788093 |
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09257560 |
Feb 25, 1999 |
6117060 |
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09660210 |
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09118575 |
Jul 17, 1998 |
6098369 |
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09257560 |
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10831989 |
Apr 26, 2004 |
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09118575 |
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09415696 |
Oct 12, 1999 |
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10831989 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/210.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 66/71 20130101;
B65B 51/303 20130101; B29C 66/81427 20130101; B65B 61/188 20130101;
B29C 48/05 20190201; B29L 2009/001 20130101; B29C 48/12 20190201;
B29C 66/83543 20130101; B31B 70/8133 20170801; B65B 61/06 20130101;
B29C 66/474 20130101; B29C 65/7891 20130101; B29C 66/435 20130101;
B29C 48/13 20190201; B29C 66/221 20130101; B29C 65/18 20130101;
B65B 9/213 20130101; B29C 66/1122 20130101; B29C 48/304 20190201;
B29C 66/849 20130101; B65B 2220/08 20130101; B29C 66/4312 20130101;
B29C 66/83221 20130101; B29C 65/7451 20130101; B29C 48/07 20190201;
B29C 53/48 20130101; B29C 66/133 20130101; B29C 66/4322 20130101;
B29L 2005/00 20130101; B29C 48/08 20190201; B29C 66/71 20130101;
B29K 2023/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/210.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 65/26 20060101
B65D065/26 |
Claims
1. A reclosable back-seam bag, comprising: a bag body having a top
seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall, the front
wall being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom
seal; a first zipper patch having at least a first zipper flange
front wall seal disposed on the front wall, and a second zipper
patch having a first zipper flange back wall seal disposed on the
back wall, said first zipper patch including a first zipper profile
having a female interlocking profile, said second zipper patch
including second zipper profile having a male interlocking profile,
said first zipper profile being releasably connected to said second
zipper profile strip by engaging the male interlocking profile with
the female interlocking profile, wherein said male interlocking
profile and said female interlocking profile are each configured to
cause said male interlocking profile to be separated from said
female interlocking profile with a substantially equal opening
force when being separated in a direction toward said top seal as
when separated in a direction toward said bottom seal; and at least
one frangible access portion disposed substantially parallel to
said zipper patch for exposing contents of the reclosable bag, said
frangible access being disposed through said top seal of said bag
body.
2. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 1, wherein the
first zipper flange front wall seal is configured to have a length
substantially similar to a length of the first zipper flange back
wall seal.
3. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 1, wherein the
first zipper patch is configured with a second zipper flange front
wall seal disposed on the front wall such that the first zipper
profile and the second zipper profile are prevented from jamming a
bag making machine during manufacture.
4. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 1, wherein the
first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are configured with
tack-down seals to each other to maintain the second zipper flange
back wall seal in a close proximity to the second zipper flange
front wall seal such that the first zipper patch and the second
zipper patch are prevented from jamming a bag making machine during
manufacture.
5. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 1, wherein the
first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are configured with
at least one peelable adhesive that adheres the second zipper
flange front wall seal to the second zipper flange back wall seal,
the at least one peelable adhesive being configured to maintain the
second zipper flange back wall seal in close proximity to the
second zipper flange back wall seal such that the first zipper
patch and the second zipper patch are prevented from jamming a bag
making machine during manufacture.
6. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 1, wherein the
first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are connected by a
frangible membrane to maintain the second zipper flange back wall
seal in close proximity to the second zipper flange front wall
seal, and to prevent the first zipper patch and the second zipper
patch from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture of the
reclosable bag.
7. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 1, further
comprising a flange overlap that is connected to at least one of
the first zipper patch and/or the second zipper patch, the flange
overlap being configured with at least one overlap seal that causes
the flange overlap to adhere to at least one of the first zipper
patch and/or the second zipper patch so as to maintain the second
zipper flange front wall seal in close proximity to the second
zipper flange back wall seal such that the first zipper patch and
the second zipper patch are prevented from jamming a bag making
machine during manufacture.
8. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 1, wherein the
top seal comprises a peelable seal, the peelable seal being
configured to be peeled open when the bag is opened.
9. A reclosable back-seam bag including a bag body having a top
seal, a bottom seal, a front wall and a back wall, the front wall
being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal,
comprising: a first zipper patch having a first zipper flange front
wall seal disposed on the front wall, said first zipper patch
including a female interlocking profile; and a second zipper patch
having a first zipper flange back wall seal disposed on the back
wall, said second zipper patch including a male interlocking
profile, the male interlocking profile constructed and arranged to
be releasably connected with the female interlocking profile, said
first and second zipper patches each being shorter in length than
the width of said bag, and wherein the male interlocking profile is
disposed in a disengaged position relative to the female
interlocking profile when the top seal is sealed and said bag is
formed.
10. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 9, further
comprising: at least one frangible access portion disposed
substantially parallel to said first zipper patch for exposing
contents of the reclosable bag, said frangible access being
disposed through said top seal of said bag body.
11. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 10, wherein the
first zipper flange front wall seal is configured to have a length
substantially similar to a length of the first zipper flange back
wall seal.
12. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 10, wherein the
first zipper patch is configured with a second zipper flange front
wall seal so that a combined height of the first zipper flange
front wall seal and the second zipper flange front wall seal is
greater than a height of the first zipper flange back wall
seal.
13. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 10, wherein the
second zipper patch is configured with a second zipper flange back
wall seal so that the combined height of the first zipper flange
back wall seal and the second zipper flange back wall seal is
greater than a height of the first zipper flange front wall
seal.
14. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 10, wherein the
first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are, respectively,
configured with a second zipper flange front wall seal and a second
zipper flange back wall seal.
15. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 14, wherein the
first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are each configured
with tack-down seals to maintain the second zipper flange back wall
seal in a close proximity to the second zipper flange front wall
seal such that the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch
are prevented from jamming a bag making machine during
manufacture.
16. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 14, wherein the
first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are each configured
with at least one peelable adhesive that adheres the second zipper
flange front wall seal to the second zipper flange back wall seal,
the at least one peelable adhesive being configured to maintain the
second zipper flange back wall seal in close proximity to the
second zipper flange front wall seal such that the first zipper
patch and the second zipper patch are prevented from jamming a bag
making machine during manufacture.
17. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 14, wherein the
first zipper patch and the second zipper patch are each configured
with a frangible membrane to maintain the second zipper flange back
wall seal in close proximity to the second zipper flange front wall
seal, and to prevent the first zipper patch and the second zipper
patch from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture of the
reclosable bag.
18. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 14, further
comprising a flange overlap that is connected to at least one of
the first zipper patch and/or the second zipper patch, the flange
overlap being configured with at least one overlap seal that causes
the flange overlap to adhere to at least one of the first zipper
patch and/or the second zipper patch so as to maintain the second
zipper flange front wall seal in close proximity to the second
zipper flange back wall seal such that the first zipper patch and
the second zipper patch are prevented from jamming a bag making
machine during manufacture.
19. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 10, further
comprising: said first and second zipper patches forming, when
interconnected, an airtight and watertight seal.
20. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 19, wherein the
bag, first zipper patch and second patch comprise a polyethylene
material.
21. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 10, further
comprising: a permeable seal along an interconnection of a length
of the first zipper patch and the second zipper patch, the
permeable seal being positioned above the first zipper flange front
wall seal and the first zipper flange back wall seal.
22. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 21, wherein the
bag, first zipper patch and second patch comprise a polypropylene
material.
23. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 10, wherein the
lengths of each of the first zipper patch and the second zipper
patch are each disposed to extend less than the width of the
bag.
24. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 9, wherein the
top seal comprises a peelable seal, the peelable seal being
configured to be peeled off when the bag is opened.
25. A method of opening a reclosable back-seam bag including a bag
body having a top seal, a bottom seal, a front wall and a back
wall, the front wall being joined to the back wall at the top seal
and the bottom seal, a first zipper patch including a female
interlocking profile, and a second zipper patch including a male
interlocking profile, the method comprising: pinching the front
wall and the back wall; simultaneously separating each of pinched
front wall and back wall; and tearing, peeling or delaminating open
the top seal, based on a force exerted from the separating, with
the male interlocking profile and the female interlocking profile
being disengaged relative to each other prior to and during said
separation.
26. A method of manufacturing a reclosable back-seam bag,
comprising: making a bag body having a top portion, a bottom
portion, a front wall and a back wall, the front wall being joined
to the back wall at the top portion and the bottom portion; sealing
a first zipper patch on the front wall, the front zipper patch
including a female interlocking profile; sealing a second zipper
patch on the back wall, the second zipper patch including a male
interlocking profile; and sealing the top portion to form a top
seal and the bottom portion to form a bottom seal, wherein the male
interlocking profile is disengaged from the female interlocking
profile when the top seal is sealed.
27. A method of manufacturing a reclosable back-seam bag,
comprising: making a bag body having a top portion, a bottom
portion, a front wall and a back wall, the front wall being joined
to the back wall at the top portion and the bottom portion;
sealing, via a sinusoidal seal, a first zipper patch on the front
wall, the front zipper patch including a female interlocking
profile; sealing, via a sinusoidal seal, a second zipper patch on
the back wall, the second zipper patch including a male
interlocking profile; and sealing, via a sinusoidal seal, the top
portion to form a top seal and the bottom portion to form a bottom
seal, wherein the male interlocking profile is disengaged from the
female interlocking profile when the top seal is sealed.
28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the sinusoidal seal
comprises a sine wave seal.
29. A reclosable back-seam bag, comprising: a bag body having a top
seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall, the front
wall being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom
seal, the back wall being formed from a rectangular sheet of film
folded along two longitudinal folds, and having overlapped and
sealed edges of the rectangular sheet to form said back seam, said
rectangular sheet having an inside surface, and said back wall
having two sides, each side being defined between said back seam
and a respective one of said longitudinal folds; a reclosable
fastener including two ends, a first continuous elongated profile
strip and a second continuous elongated profile strip, said first
continuous elongated profile strip being releasably connected to
said second continuous elongated profile strip, said first
continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall connecting
flange and at least one gripping flange, both said front wall
connecting flange and said gripping flange having a width greater
than a width of said first continuous elongated profile strip, said
second continuous elongated profile strip having a back wall
connecting flange, said back wall connecting flange having a width
greater than a width of said second continuous elongated profile
strip, the length of said reclosable fastener being less than the
combined lengths of said two sides that form said back panel; said
front wall connecting flange being connected to said inside surface
of said rectangular sheet and said front wall of said bag body at a
front wall seal, said front wall seal being substantially parallel
to said top seal and spaced between said bottom seal and said
profile strips, said back wall connecting flange being connected to
said inside surface of said rectangular sheet and said back wall at
a back wall connecting seal, said back wall connecting seal being
spaced between said profile strips and said top seal; a side seal
at each end of said reclosable fastener, each said side seal
connecting an end of said reclosable fastener to the inside surface
of said rectangular sheet of film inwardly of said longitudinal
folds of said bag body thereby preventing air or liquids from
entering or leaving said bag through said ends of said reclosable
fastener, and each said side seal being provided to said reclosable
fastener prior to attachment of said reclosable fastener to said
front wall and said back wall, without said side seal being sealed
again to connect the ends of said reclosable fastener to said
inside surface of said front wall and an inside surface of said
back wall; and a frangible access portion substantially parallel to
said reclosable fastener for exposing said releasable fastener,
said frangible access portion being disposed on said front wall and
on said back wall of said bag body adjacent said reclosable
fastener and above said back wall connecting seal.
30. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29, wherein
said frangible access portion comprises a plurality of
perforations.
31. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29, wherein
said first continuous elongated profile strip and said second
continuous elongated profile strip each have respective back
portions thereof, and in which said first continuous elongated
profile strip back portion can pivot in relation to said inside
surface of said rectangular sheet.
32. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29, wherein
said first continuous elongated profile strip and said second
continuous elongated profile strip each have respective back
portions thereof, and in which said second continuous elongated
profile strip back portion can pivot in relation to said inside
surface of said rectangular sheet.
33. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29, wherein
said first continuous elongated profile strip and said second
continuous elongated profile strip each have respective back
portions thereof, in which said first continuous elongated profile
strip back portion can move in relation to said inside surface of
said rectangular sheet, and in which said second continuous
elongated profile strip back portion can pivot in relation to said
inside surface of said rectangular sheet.
34. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29, wherein
said reclosable fastener ends are substantially flattened ends.
35. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29, wherein
said at least one gripping flange includes at least one continuous
rib disposed at a distal end of said at least one gripping
flange.
36. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29, wherein
said gripping flange includes a plurality of continuous,
substantially parallel ribs disposed on said at least one gripping
flange.
37. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29, wherein
said first continuous profile strip, said gripping flange and said
bag wall connecting flange comprise a single, extruded, flexible
polymeric material.
38. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29, wherein
said second continuous profile strip and said back wall connecting
flange comprise an extruded, flexible polymeric material.
39. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29, wherein
said gripping flange and said bag wall connecting flange comprise a
web and in which said first continuous profile strip is sealed to
said web.
40. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29, wherein the
height of said gripping flange is substantially less than the
height of said back wall connecting flange.
41. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29, wherein the
height of said gripping flange is substantially less than half the
height of said back wall connecting flange.
42. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 29, wherein
said back wall connecting flange is of a sufficient thickness to
provide for sealing of said back wall connecting flange to said
back wall while not permitting sealing of said back wall connecting
flange to said front wall.
43. A reclosable back-seam bag, comprising: a bag body having a top
seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall, the front
wall being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom
seal; and a reclosable fastener including two ends, a first
continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall connecting
flange and a second continuous elongated profile strip having a
back wall connecting flange, said first continuous elongated
profile strip having a male interlocking profile including at least
one male interlocking member, said second continuous elongated
profile strip having a female interlocking profile including at
least one female interlocking member, said first continuous
elongated profile strip being releasably connected to said second
continuous elongated profile strip by engaging the male
interlocking member with the female interlocking member, wherein
said male interlocking member is being configured so as to cause
said male interlocking profile to be separated from said female
interlocking profile with a substantially equal opening force when
being separated in a direction toward said top seal as when
separated in a direction toward said bottom seal.
44. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 43, wherein
said front wall connecting flange has a height greater than a
height of said first continuous elongated profile strip.
45. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 43, wherein
said back wall connecting flange has a height greater than a height
of said second continuous elongated profile strip.
46. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 43, wherein
said the back wall is configured to be formed from a rectangular
sheet of film folded along two longitudinal folds, and having
overlapped and sealed edges of the rectangular sheet to form said
back seam, said rectangular sheet having an inside surface, and
said back wall having two sides, each side being defined between
said back seam and a respective one of said longitudinal folds.
47. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 43, wherein the
front wall connecting flange is configured to have a length
substantially similar to a length of the back wall connecting
flange.
48. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 43, wherein the
back wall connecting flange is configured with an additional back
wall connecting flange so that a combined length of the back wall
connecting flange and the additional back wall connecting flange is
greater than a length of the front wall connecting flange.
49. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 43, wherein the
front wall connecting flange is configured with an additional front
wall connecting flange so that the combined length of the front
wall connecting flange and the additional front wall connecting
flange is greater than the length of the back wall connecting
flange.
50. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 43, wherein the
front wall connecting flange and the back wall connecting flange
are respectively configured with an additional front wall
connecting flange and an additional back wall connecting
flange.
51. A reclosable back-seam bag, comprising: a bag body having a top
seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall, the front
wall being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom
seal; a reclosable fastener including two ends, a first continuous
elongated profile strip associated with the front wall and a second
continuous elongated profile strip associated with the back wall,
said first continuous elongated profile strip having a male
interlocking profile including at least one male interlocking
member, said second continuous elongated profile strip having a
female interlocking profile including at least one female
interlocking member, said first continuous elongated profile strip
being releasably connected to said second continuous elongated
profile strip by engaging the male interlocking member with the
female interlocking member, wherein said male interlocking member
is being configured so as to cause said male interlocking profile
to be separated from said female interlocking profile with a
substantially equal opening force when being separated in a
direction toward said top seal as when separated in a direction
toward said bottom seal; and at least one frangible access portion
disposed substantially parallel to said reclosable fastener
assembly for exposing said releasable fastener assembly, said
frangible access being disposed on said front wall of said bag
body.
52. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 51, wherein
said at least one frangible access portion is disposed adjacent
said reclosable fastener assembly.
53. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 51, wherein
said at least one frangible access portion is disposed between a
lower portion of said reclosable fastener assembly and said bottom
seal.
54. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 51, wherein
said at least one frangible access includes a first frangible
access portion disposed adjacent said reclosable fastener assembly,
and a second frangible access portion disposed between a lower
portion of said reclosable fastener assembly and said bottom
seal.
55. The reclosable back-seam bag according to claim 51, wherein
said frangible access portion includes at least one or more score
lines.
56. A reclosable bag, comprising: a bag body having a top seal and
a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall, the front wall
being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal,
the back wall being formed from a rectangular sheet of film folded
along two longitudinal folds, and having overlapped and sealed
edges of the rectangular sheet to form said side seam, said
rectangular sheet having an inside surface, and said back wall
having two sides, each side being defined between said side seam
and a respective one of said longitudinal folds; a reclosable
fastener including two ends, a first continuous elongated profile
strip and a second continuous elongated profile strip, said first
continuous elongated profile strip being releasably connected to
said second continuous elongated profile strip, said first
continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall connecting
flange and at least one gripping flange, both said front wall
connecting flange and said gripping flange having a width greater
than a width of said first continuous elongated profile strip, said
second continuous elongated profile strip having a back wall
connecting flange, said back wall connecting flange having a width
greater than a width of said second continuous elongated profile
strip, the length of said reclosable fastener being less than the
combined lengths of said two sides that form said back panel; said
front wall connecting flange being connected to said inside surface
of said rectangular sheet and said front wall of said bag body at a
front wall seal, said front wall seal being substantially parallel
to said top seal and spaced between said bottom seal and said
profile strips, said back wall connecting flange being connected to
said inside surface of said rectangular sheet and said back wall at
a back wall connecting seal, said back wall connecting seal being
spaced between said profile strips and said top seal; a side seal
at each end of said reclosable fastener, each said side seal
connecting an end of said reclosable fastener to the inside surface
of said rectangular sheet of film inwardly of said longitudinal
folds of said bag body thereby preventing air or liquids from
entering or leaving said bag through said ends of said reclosable
fastener, and each said side seal being provided to said reclosable
fastener prior to attachment of said reclosable fastener to said
front wall and said back wall, without said side seal being sealed
again to connect the ends of said reclosable fastener to said
inside surface of said front wall and an inside surface of said
back wall; and a frangible access portion substantially parallel to
said reclosable fastener for exposing said releasable fastener,
said frangible access portion being disposed on said front wall and
on said back wall of said bag body adjacent said reclosable
fastener and above said back wall connecting seal.
57. The reclosable bag according to claim 56, wherein said side
seam is configured with at least two separate webs of film around
the periphery or sides of said bag body.
58. A reclosable bag, comprising: a bag body having a top seal and
a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall, the front wall
being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal,
the back wall being formed from one web of film folded along a
longitudinal fold to form two half webs of film, and having top
edges of each of the two half webs of film sealed together to form
a side seam, and said back wall having two sides, each side being
defined between said side seam and a respective one of said
longitudinal folds; a reclosable fastener including two ends, a
first continuous elongated profile strip and a second continuous
elongated profile strip, said first continuous elongated profile
strip being releasably connected to said second continuous
elongated profile strip, said first continuous elongated profile
strip having a front wall connecting flange and at least one
gripping flange, both said front wall connecting flange and said
gripping flange having a width greater than a width of said first
continuous elongated profile strip, said second continuous
elongated profile strip having a back wall connecting flange, said
back wall connecting flange having a width greater than a width of
said second continuous elongated profile strip, the length of said
reclosable fastener being less than the combined lengths of said
two sides that form said back panel; said front wall connecting
flange being connected to said inside surface of said one web of
film and said front wall of said bag body at a front wall seal,
said front wall seal being substantially parallel to said top seal
and spaced between said bottom seal and said profile strips, said
back wall connecting flange being connected to said inside surface
of said one web of film and said back wall at a back wall
connecting seal, said back wall connecting seal being spaced
between said profile strips and said top seal; a side seal at each
end of said reclosable fastener, each said side seal connecting an
end of said reclosable fastener to the inside surface of said one
web of film inwardly of said longitudinal folds of said bag body
thereby preventing air or liquids from entering or leaving said bag
through said ends of said reclosable fastener, and each said side
seal being provided to said reclosable fastener prior to attachment
of said reclosable fastener to said front wall and said back wall,
without said side seal being sealed again to connect the ends of
said reclosable fastener to said inside surface of said front wall
and an inside surface of said back wall; and a frangible access
portion substantially parallel to said reclosable fastener for
exposing said releasable fastener, said frangible access portion
being disposed on said front wall and on said back wall of said bag
body adjacent said reclosable fastener and above said back wall
connecting seal.
59. A reclosable bag, comprising: a bag body having a top seal and
a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall, the front wall
being joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal,
the back wall being formed from two webs of film that are sealed
together along respective edges of the two webs of film to form
four side seams, each of said two webs of film having an inside
surface, and said back wall having two sides, each side being
defined between each of said four side seams and a respective one
of said two webs of film; a reclosable fastener including two ends,
a first continuous elongated profile strip and a second continuous
elongated profile strip, said first continuous elongated profile
strip being releasably connected to said second continuous
elongated profile strip, said first continuous elongated profile
strip having a front wall connecting flange and at least one
gripping flange, both said front wall connecting flange and said
gripping flange having a width greater than a width of said first
continuous elongated profile strip, said second continuous
elongated profile strip having a back wall connecting flange, said
back wall connecting flange having a width greater than a width of
said second continuous elongated profile strip, the length of said
reclosable fastener being less than the combined lengths of said
two sides that form said back panel; said front wall connecting
flange being connected to said inside surface of each of said two
webs of film and said front wall of said bag body at a front wall
seal, said front wall seal being substantially parallel to said top
seal and spaced between said bottom seal and said profile strips,
said back wall connecting flange being connected to said inside
surface of each of said two webs of film and said back wall at a
back wall connecting seal, said back wall connecting seal being
spaced between said profile strips and said top seal; a side seal
at each end of said reclosable fastener, each said side seal
connecting an end of said reclosable fastener to the inside surface
of each of said two webs of film inwardly of said bag body thereby
preventing air or liquids from entering or leaving said bag through
said ends of said reclosable fastener, and each said side seal
being provided to said reclosable fastener prior to attachment of
said reclosable fastener to said front wall and said back wall,
without said side seal being sealed again to connect the ends of
said reclosable fastener to said inside surface of said front wall
and an inside surface of said back wall; and a frangible access
portion substantially parallel to said reclosable fastener for
exposing said releasable fastener, said frangible access portion
being disposed on said front wall and on said back wall of said bag
body adjacent said reclosable fastener and above said back wall
connecting seal.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
application Ser. No. 10/788,093, which was filed on Feb. 26, 2004,
which is a division of application Ser. No. 09/660,210, filed on
Sep. 12, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,612, which is a division of
application Ser. No. 09/257,560, filed on Feb. 25, 1999, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,117,060, which is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 09/118,575, filed on Jul. 17, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No.
6,098,369. This application is also a continuation-in-part of
co-pending application Ser. No. 10/831,989, which was filed on Apr.
26, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
09/415,696 filed on Oct. 12, 1999. The content of these
applications are herein incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This present invention generally relates to reclosable
plastic bags, and a method of their manufacture that is more
efficient and economical than conventional methods and devices, and
in particular to reclosable bags which can be torn open to access
their content.
[0003] Current reclosable bags have been designed in to provide
ease of use for users. However, there are shortcomings in the
currently available reclosable bags. As an example, consider prior
art U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,122 to Ramsey et al ("Ramsey '122 patent").
A particular problem with the Ramsey '122 technique is that a
greater amount of force is required to open the reclosable
fasteners from outside the bag than the amount of force required to
tear open the bag from the middle. Such disproportionate amount of
force may damage the reclosable bag or even the contents of the
reclosable bag when a user opens the bag.
[0004] Consider further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,845 to Yeager ("Yeager
'845 patent"). There are at least two definitive shortcomings with
the technology described therein. The first shortcoming relates to
the problem of having to open the zipper completely from the front
panel of the finished bag. Users of reclosable bags and packaging
are accustomed to opening the profiled fastener from the "top" of
the package, and not from the front panel of the package. Hence,
the user will have to become accustomed to an unfamiliar or
uncomfortable manner in which to open a bag.
[0005] The second shortcoming is more serious, and relates to the
requirement of opening the package from the front panel thereof. If
the package is to be opened from the front panel, a cut or
perforation must be made before the fastener is applied. This cut,
or perforation, is generally shaped like an "oval" with opening
"tabs" for gaining access to the fastener. Since the fastener, most
likely, is not closed at the ends of the fastener, the possibility
of contamination exists.
[0006] The most expedient and economical way to make the package is
to create the cut, or perforation, in one operation, just upstream
of the fastener strip application. This operation, in its simplest
form, will leave openings for potential contamination to pass
through the cut or perforated front panel opening. To overcome this
contamination potential, users of this method add a great deal more
cost and complexity to create a sealed, sealable "patch", or some
other means of eliminating this contamination risk. The same
problem occurs, if the package must be hermetically sealed.
[0007] Hence, there exists a need to solve the problems in the art
that are articulated above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, among other advantages, the reclosable bag
described herein overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by
providing a reclosable back-seam bag that provides a hermetic seal
by sealing a bag body with a top seal, a bottom seal, a back seam
seal, and a plurality of seals sealing a reclosable fastener with
flanges to a front wall and, in some cases, to a back wall of the
bag body. In another embodiment, a reclosable bag can be configured
as a side-seam bag having one web of film folded along a
longitudinal fold to form two half webs of film, and having top
edges of each of the two half webs of film sealed together to form
a side seam. In another embodiment, the reclosable bag is
configured as having two webs of film that are sealed together
along respective edges of the two webs of film to form four side
seams, each of the two webs of film having an inside surface, and
the back wall having two sides, each side being defined between
each of the four side seams and a respective one of the two webs of
film.
[0009] The reclosable bag includes a reclosable fastener assembly
that includes two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip
and a second continuous elongated profile strip. The first
continuous elongated profile strip and the second continuous
elongated profile strip provide a seal upon interconnection
thereof.
[0010] A seal is provided at each end of the reclosable fastener
assembly. The reclosable bag is further provided with a first
continuous elongated profile strip that has a front wall connecting
flange and a gripping flange. Both the front wall connecting flange
and the gripping flange have a width greater than a width of the
first continuous elongated profile strip to assist in positioning
and sealing of the reclosable fastener to web stock. The front
wall-connecting flange is sealed to the front wall of the bag.
[0011] A frangible access that is substantially parallel to the
reclosable fastener assembly may be provided through the front wall
of the bag by means of one or more score lines. Upon opening, the
frangible access exposes the reclosable fastener assembly. The
frangible access may be disposed on the front wall or the back wall
of the bag body adjacent the reclosable fastener assembly and above
the bottom seal.
[0012] In one example, a reclosable back-seam bag includes a
gripping flange that includes a continuous rib disposed at a distal
end of the gripping flange and/or a plurality of continuous,
substantially parallel ribs disposed on the gripping flange. The
ribs and the gripping flange provide a user with ease of opening of
the reclosable fastener once the frangible access has been
opened.
[0013] In another example, a method of making a reclosable
back-seam bag. The method includes the steps of providing a
rectangular sheet of polymeric material having an inside surface. A
predetermined length of a reclosable fastener including two ends,
and a first continuous elongated profile strip interlocked with a
second continuous elongated profile strip is provided, and a front
wall connecting flange of the reclosable fastener is connected to
the inside surface of the rectangular sheet.
[0014] The method includes the step of forming a bag body having a
front wall and a back wall. The back wall is formed by folding the
rectangular sheet of film along two longitudinal folds, and
overlapping and sealing edges of the rectangular sheet.
[0015] The method further includes joining the front wall to the
back wall at a bottom seal, and connecting a back wall connecting
flange to the inside surface of the rectangular sheet and the back
wall of the bag at a back wall connecting seal. A frangible access
substantially parallel to the reclosable fastener being disposed on
the front wall of the bag body adjacent the reclosable fastener and
below the back wall connecting seal is provided for exposing the
reclosable fastener. The method also includes providing a top seal
above the frangible access.
[0016] In another example, a first continuous elongated profile
strip having a male interlocking profile includes at least one male
interlocking member. Also provided is a second continuous elongated
profile strip having a female interlocking profile that includes at
least one female interlocking member. The first continuous
elongated profile strip can be releasably connected to the second
continuous elongated profile strip by engaging the male
interlocking member with the female interlocking member. However,
in a preferred embodiment, the male interlocking member is provided
in an open disengaged position in the bag when the bag is sealed.
Thus, the bag may be easily opened by pinching the front and back
walls of the bag and separating the walls until the top seal is
ruptured or peeled open. The open configuration of the fasteners
facilitates such opening. Subsequently, easy access is permitted
from either the top of the bag, or from rupturing the frangible
access portion located above the bottom seal, and then, separating
the fastener profile.
[0017] The features described below, other than those specifically
set forth above, will become apparent in the detailed description
of the preferred embodiments set forth below and in the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a front plan view of a reclosable
bag;
[0019] FIG. 2 is an embodiment of a back plan view of the
reclosable bag;
[0020] FIG. 3 is an embodiment of a side cross sectional view of
the reclosable bag of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a side cross sectional view of
the reclosable bag through a side seal of the bag;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rectangular sheet of film
having a plurality of reclosable fastener assemblies thereon prior
to a form, fill and seal operation;
[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the reclosable bag
having the reclosable fastener assembly include a first continuous
elongated profile strip;
[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the reclosable bag
having the reclosable fastener assembly include a second continuous
elongated profile strip;
[0025] FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate another embodiment of the reclosable
bag in which the reclosable fastener assembly may include two ends,
a first continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall
connecting flange and a second continuous elongated profile strip
having a back wall connecting flange, the flanges respectively
extending upward, downward or both on the walls of the bag;
[0026] FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of reclosable fastener
assemblies that each include a male part and a female part;
[0027] FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the reclosable bag
having a frangible access portion to access the contents of the
reclosable bag;
[0028] FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate different views of an embodiment of
a two-flanged reclosable bag;
[0029] FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate different views of an embodiment of
a three-flanged reclosable bag;
[0030] FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate different views of an embodiment of
a four-flanged reclosable bag having tack-down seals;
[0031] FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate different views of an embodiment of
a four-flanged reclosable bag having peelable adhesives or
co-extruded beads;
[0032] FIGS. 15A-15C illustrate different views of an embodiment of
a four-flanged reclosable bag having a frangible membrane that at
least a pair of the four flanges.
[0033] FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of a side view of a
four-flanged reclosable bag in which the male interlocking member
is provided in an open disengaged position when the top seal of the
bag remains sealed.
[0034] FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary machine that can be used to
manufacture a reclosable back-seam bag.
[0035] FIGS. 18A-18C illustrate different views of an embodiment of
a four-flanged reclosable bag having a flange overlap configured
with overlap seals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of reclosable back-seam bag 100.
Reclosable back-seam bag 100 includes a bag body 102. Bag body 102
(FIGS. 1-4) can include a top seal 104 and a bottom seal 106, and a
front wall 108 and a back wall 110. Front wall 108 (FIGS. 1, 3 and
4) may be joined to the back wall 110 at the top seal 104 and the
bottom seal 106 (FIGS. 1-4). It is appreciated that bag body 102
can be formed on conventional form fill and seal machines known in
the art. In another embodiment, a reclosable bag can be configured
as a side-seam bag having one web of film folded along a
longitudinal fold to form two half webs of film, and having top
edges of each of the two half webs of film sealed together to form
a side seam. In another embodiment, the reclosable bag is
configured as having two webs of film that are sealed together
along respective edges of the two webs of film to form four side
seams, each of the two webs of film having an inside surface, and
the back wall having two sides, each side being defined between
each of the four side seams and a respective one of the two webs of
film.
[0037] Bag 100 includes reclosable fastener assembly 130 (FIGS.
1-3). Reclosable fastener assembly 130 includes two ends 132, 134.
Between ends 132, 134, a first continuous elongated profile strip
136 may be releasably interlocked with a second continuous
elongated profile strip 138. It is appreciated that first
continuous elongated profile 136 and the second continuous
elongated profile 138 have protruding male and female members (not
shown) which when interlocked provide an airtight and watertight
seal.
[0038] Any of the seals described herein can be made by a variety
of devices including heat sealers, ultrasonic sealers, and other
devices known in the art. The seals also may be made with an
adhesive.
[0039] A continuous airtight and/or watertight lower seal 146 is
disposed along the length L of the reclosable fastener assembly 130
and may be positioned below the profile strips 136, 138. It is
appreciated that seal 146 is placed such that seal 146 connects the
reclosable fastener assembly 130 to the front wall 108 prior to
rectangular sheet of film 112 being formed into a tubular structure
precursor of bag body 102. That is, seal 146 may connect reclosable
fastener assembly 130 to rectangular sheet of film 112 while the
sheet of film is still in a substantially flat state (FIG. 5).
[0040] A continuous airtight and/or watertight upper seal 148 along
the length L of the reclosable fastener assembly is positioned
above the profile strips 136, 138. The upper seal 148 connects the
reclosable fastener to back wall 110. Upper seal 148 may be made
after the bag body 102 is substantially complete, e.g. after the
bag body 102 has been substantially completed on a form fill and
seal machine. This may be accomplished by sealing jaws on the form
fill and seal machine.
[0041] In an embodiment, reclosable back-seam bag 100 may include a
first continuous elongated profile strip 136 that has a front wall
connecting flange 140 and a gripping flange 142 (FIG. 3). Both the
front wall connecting flange 140 and the gripping flange 142 may
have widths W', W''''' greater than a width W'' of the first
continuous elongated profile strip 136. It is appreciated that by
providing flanges 140, 144, the problems associated with sealing an
irregularly shaped surface, e.g. a zipper profile, to a smooth
surface are eliminated. The flange 140 and flange 144 provide a
substantially smooth, planar and uniform surface to which to seal
the inside surface 124 of rectangular sheet of film 112
thereto.
[0042] By way of example, front wall connecting flange 140 can be
sealed to front wall 108 at inside surface 124'. Similarly, second
continuous elongated profile strip 138 has a back wall-connecting
flange 144. The back wall connecting flange 144 has a width W'''
greater than a width W'' of the second continuous elongated profile
strip 138, and in a variant a width greater than gripping flange
142. Back wall connecting flange 140 is sealed to back wall 110 at
back wall connecting seal 148.
[0043] To improve the appearance and air and watertightness of bag
100, the length L of the reclosable fastener assembly 130 is
preferably configured to be less than the width W of back wall 110
(FIG. 2).
[0044] In another embodiment, reclosable back seam bag 100 includes
a frangible access 154 (FIGS. 1-4). Access 154 can take many forms
including a score line or a plurality of perforations. Access 154
can be substantially parallel to the reclosable fastener assembly
130. Removal of access 154 exposes the releasable fastener assembly
130 and provides access to the gripping flange 142, and profile
strips 136, 138. In an embodiment, the frangible access 154 may be
disposed both on the front wall 108 and on the back wall 110 of the
bag body 102 adjacent the reclosable fastener assembly 130 and
above the upper seal 148 (FIGS. 1 and 2). In an embodiment,
frangible access 154 may include a plurality of perforations 156
(FIGS. 1, 3 and 4).
[0045] Back wall 110 of bag body 102 may be formed from rectangular
sheet of film 112 (FIG. 5) on a conventional form, fill and seal
machine. The form fill and seal machine can be a vertical form,
fill and seal machine. Film 112 can be made from any suitable
material but is preferably made from a polymeric material. Film 112
can be folded along two longitudinal folds 114, 116, as the film
passes through the form fill and seal machine. The vertical edges
118, 120 (FIG. 1) are overlapped and sealed as is conventional to
form back seam 122. Back wall 110 has two sides 126, 128 (FIG. 2).
Each side 126, 128 is defined between back seam 122 and a
respective one of the longitudinal folds 114, 116.
[0046] In one embodiment, the back wall 110 can be formed from one
web of film folded along a longitudinal fold to form two half webs
of film. The top edges of each of the two half webs of film can
then be sealed together to form a side seam. In this embodiment,
the back wall 110 has two sides, each side being defined between
the side seam and a respective one of the longitudinal folds.
Further, in this embodiment, the front wall connecting flange 146
may be connected to the inside surface of one web of film and the
front wall 108 of the bag body 102 at a front wall seal 146. In
this embodiment, the front wall seal 146 may be substantially
parallel to the top seal 104 and spaced between the bottom seal 106
and the profile strips 136, 138. Also the back wall connecting
flange 144 can be connected to the inside surface of the one web of
film and the back wall at a back wall connecting seal such that the
back wall connecting seal is spaced between the profile strips and
the top seal 104. In this embodiment, a side seal can be disposed
at each end of the reclosable fastener such that the side seal
connects an end of the reclosable fastener to the inside surface of
the one web of film inwardly of the longitudinal folds of the bag
body to thereby prevent air or liquids from entering or leaving the
bag through the ends of the reclosable fastener.
[0047] In another embodiment, the back wall 110 can be formed from
two webs of film that are sealed together along respective edges of
the two webs of film to form four side seams. Each of the two webs
of film has an inside surface. The back wall 110 has two sides,
each side being defined between each of the four side seams and a
respective one of the two webs of film. In this embodiment, the
front wall connecting flange 146 may be being connected to said
inside surface of each of the two webs of film and the front wall
108 of the bag body 102 at a front wall seal 146. In this
embodiment, the front wall seal 146 may be substantially parallel
to the top seal 104 and spaced between the bottom seal 106 and the
profile strips 136, 138. Also the back wall connecting flange 144
can be connected to the inside surface of each of the two webs of
film and the back wall at a back wall connecting seal, such that
the back wall connecting seal is spaced between the profile strips
and the top seal 104. In this embodiment, a side seal can be
disposed at each end of the reclosable fastener such that the side
seal connects an end of the reclosable fastener to the inside
surface of each of the two webs of film inwardly of the bag body
thereby preventing air or liquids from entering or leaving the bag
through the ends of the reclosable fastener.
[0048] Reclosable fastener 130 includes two ends 132, 134, a first
continuous elongated profile strip 136 and a second continuous
elongated profile strip 138. The first continuous elongated profile
strip 136 may be releasably connected to the second continuous
elongated profile strip 138. Strip 136 is matable to strip 138, and
either strip 136 or strip 138 can be complementary male and female
strips as required. More of the features of strips 136 and 138 are
described later below.
[0049] In an embodiment, first continuous elongated profile strip
136 can be configured with a front wall connecting flange 140 and a
gripping flange 142. Front wall connecting flange 140 may be heat
sealed or ultrasonically sealed to rectangular sheet of film 112
while film 112 can be in a substantially flat state (FIG. 5). The
sealing of front wall connecting flange 146 to film 112 occurs
prior to the formation of a tube (not shown) from film 112 on a
conventional form fill and seal machine. It is further appreciated
that strips 136, 138 are interlocked at the time flange 146 is
sealed to film 112 (FIG. 5). In particular, front wall connecting
flange 146 is connected to the inside surface 124 of the
rectangular sheet of film 112 and the front wall 108 of the bag
body 102 at a front wall seal 146. Front wall seal 146 may be
substantially parallel to top seal 104 and spaced between the
bottom seal 106 and the profile strips 136, 138.
[0050] Both front wall connecting flange 140 and gripping flange
142 have widths W'''', W'''' greater than a width W'' of the first
continuous elongated profile strip 136. Second continuous elongated
profile strip 138 may include a back wall-connecting flange 144. In
an embodiment, width W' of gripping flange 142 is about 0.8
centimeters, and width W'' of strip 136 is about 0.3 centimeters.
Back wall connecting flange 144 has a width W''' greater than a
width W'' of second continuous elongated profile strip 138. Width
W''' of flange 144 is about 1.7 centimeters in a embodiment, and
W'' is about 0.3 centimeters. Gripping flange 142 may allow for a
user to easily open the interlocked strips 136, 138, by grasping
flange 142 and back wall connecting flange 144 and separating the
flanges 142, 144. Width W'''' of the gripping flange 142 may be
substantially less than width W''' of the back wall connecting
flange 144. It is appreciated that the use of these widths
facilitates the placement of back wall connecting seal 148 such
that the gripping flange 142 does not interfere with the sealing
process.
[0051] To aid in the formation of the airtight and/or watertight
seals used in the present invention, it is appreciated that the
length L of the reclosable fastener 130 is less than the combined
lengths of the two sides 126, 128 that form the back panel of bag
body 102. In an embodiment, length L is about 21.5 centimeters.
[0052] Back wall connecting flange 144 can be connected to the
inside surface 124 of the rectangular sheet of film 112 and the
back wall 110 at a back wall connecting seal 148. Back wall
connecting seal 148 may be spaced between profile strips 136, 138,
and the top seal 104. In an embodiment of bag 100, bag 100 has the
various seals placed as follows: Top seal 104 is disposed
approximately 3 millimeters from the top of bag 100; Frangible
access 154 is disposed about 4 millimeters below top seal 104; Back
wall connecting seal 148 is disposed about 5 millimeters below
frangible access 154; Profiles 136, 138 are disposed about 1.3
centimeters below back wall connecting seal 148; Front wall
connecting flange 140 is disposed about 7 millimeters below
profiles 136, 138; and, Bottom seal 106 is disposed about 30
centimeters below front wall connecting flange 140.
[0053] Side seals 150, 152 are placed at each end of the reclosable
fastener assembly 130. Side seals 150, 152 provide an airtight
and/or watertight seal between the inside surface 124 of film 112
and reclosable fastener assembly 130. Prior to the sealing of front
wall connecting flange 140 to front wall 108, the ends 132, 134 of
reclosable fastener 130 can be splotched. Splotching of reclosable
fastener ends 132, 134 creates substantially flattened ends 162,
164 which facilitate the formation of the airtight and/or
watertight seals of the invention.
[0054] A frangible access 154 can be cut between back wall
connecting seal 148 and top seal 104 with a standard perforating
die, and the like, access 154 is substantially parallel to the
reclosable fastener 130 and exposes reclosable fastener 130 to a
user. Frangible access 154 may be disposed on the front wall 108
and on the back wall 110 of the bag body 102 adjacent reclosable
fastener 130 and above back wall connecting seal 148. It is
appreciated that upon opening of frangible access 154, both front
wall 108 and back wall 110 of bag 100 are severed. In an
embodiment, frangible access 154 may comprise a plurality of
perforations 156.
[0055] In an embodiment, first continuous elongated profile strip
136 and the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 each have
respective back portions 158, 160 thereof (FIG. 3). By providing
the seals 146, 148 as illustrated in the figures, first continuous
elongated profile strip back portion 158 can move in relation to
the inside surface 124' of the rectangular sheet of film 112. It is
further appreciated that the seal placement permits second
continuous elongated profile strip back portion 160 to move in
relation to the inside surface 124 of the rectangular sheet of film
112.
[0056] Gripping flange 142 may include a continuous rib 166
disposed at a distal end 168 of the gripping flange 142. Gripping
flange 142 can also include a plurality of continuous,
substantially parallel ribs 170 disposed on the gripping flange
142.
[0057] Reclosable fastener assembly 130 can be manufactured in
different forms. As an example, gripping flange 142 and front wall
connecting flange 140 can be made from a single, extruded, flexible
polymeric material. That is, gripping flange 142 and connecting
flange 140 and profile strip 136 are extruded and form a continuous
member. Similarly, second continuous profile strip 138 and the back
wall-connecting flange 144 may be formed from an extruded, flexible
polymeric material, and can be extruded such that they form a
single continuous member. Back wall connecting flange 144 and front
wall connecting flange 140 can be of a sufficient thickness to seal
to the respective walls that they connect to, yet of a sufficient
thickness not to seal to the inside surface 124 of walls 108, 110
that they are not to seal to when a predetermined amount of heat,
pressure and dwell time are applied. A sufficient thickness is
empirically determined depending on the type of film 112 used and
the type of polymeric material used for profile strips 136,138, and
flanges 140, 144.
[0058] In an embodiment, gripping flange 142 and the bag
wall-connecting flange are made from a single web. First continuous
profile strip 136 may be sealed to the web with an airtight and/or
watertight seal (not shown). Similarly, strip 138 can be sealed to
a second web.
[0059] A method of making a reclosable back-seam bag 100 is also
provided herein. A rectangular sheet of polymeric material 112
having an inside surface 124 is provided in a substantially flat
state (FIG. 5). A predetermined length L of a reclosable fastener
130 including two ends 132, 134, a first continuous elongated
profile strip 136 and a second continuous elongated profile strip
138 is cut from a longer length (e.g., a continuous roll of
interlocked fastener assemblies). First continuous elongated
profile strip 136 is releasably connected to second continuous
elongated profile strip 138. For each length L of fastener 130,
ends 132 and 134 are splotched so that they are substantially
flattened.
[0060] The reclosable fastener 130 may be moved onto film 112
transverse to the length of the film 112 in one embodiment, or
longitudinally across the length of the film 112 in another
embodiment. Front wall connecting flange 140 is sealed with an
airtight and/or watertight seal to the inside surface 124' of the
rectangular sheet of film 112 such that it is approximately
centered thereon in relation to the width of the sheet of film 112.
Bag body 102 can be formed on a conventional form, fill, and seal
machine. Bag body 102 can be formed into a tube (not shown) such
that a front wall 108 and a back wall 110 are formed. Back wall 110
is formed by folding the rectangular sheet of film 112 along two
longitudinal folds 114, 116, and overlapping and sealing edges 118,
120 of the rectangular sheet of film 112. Back wall 110 has two
sides 126, 128. Each side 126, 128 is defined between back seam 122
and a respective one of the longitudinal folds 114, 116. After the
film is formed into a tube (not shown), front wall 108 is joined to
the back wall 110 at a bottom seal 106. Bottom seal 106 can be made
in conventional heat sealing jaws (not shown).
[0061] Back wall connecting flange 144 may be connected (e.g. by
heat sealing) to the inside surface 124 of rectangular sheet 112 at
what is now the back wall 110 of bag body 102 at back wall
connecting seal 148.
[0062] The frangible access 154 can be configured substantially
parallel to the reclosable fastener 130 for exposing releasable
fastener 130. Access 154 is formed with a conventional perforating
die, and is disposed on front wall 108 and on back wall 110 of the
bag body 102 adjacent the reclosable fastener assembly 130 and
above the back wall connecting seal 148.
[0063] The method then includes providing top seal 104 above the
frangible access 154. Properly feeding, locating and sealing
reclosable fastener 130 at predetermined locations on rectangular
sheet of film 112 readily are important aspects of the method (FIG.
5). Rectangular sheet of film 112 may have marks 3 or other machine
readable indicia thereon to permit an electric eye or other sensor
to read the marks or indicia so that proper registration and
alignment of the reclosable fastener 130 is obtained with the bag
body. Machines commercially available from Z-Patch, Inc. of
Carbondale, Ill. are reliable and capable of repeatedly performing
the steps referred to in the method described above with high
throughput and with low cycle times. The film as shown in FIG. 5
made by the Z-Patch machine is then fed into a form fill seal
machine (not shown), having sealing heads adapted to make seals
104, 106, 150, 152, 122, and other seals referred to herein. The
manner in which reclosable fastener 130 is fed and positioned for
sealing onto rectangular sheet of film 112 is critical in order to
achieve repeatability.
[0064] Reclosable fastener 130, which is generally about 3.5
centimeters wide, in one variant of the invention, is delivered in
a cross web, stretched position, assuring squareness for
positioning onto rectangular sheet of film 112. It is appreciated
that the width and length of fastener 130 can be such that it
accommodates the size of the bag body. The front wall seal 146 may
be transverse to film 112.
[0065] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the reclosable bag
having the reclosable fastener assembly 130 include the first
continuous elongated profile strip 136. In this embodiment, the
first continuous elongated profile strip 136 may be flat. The first
continuous elongated profile strip 136 may also be manufactured
from polyethylene. In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6,
the first continuous elongated profile strip 136 may include a
first rib 630, second rib 634 and third rib 638. The first rib 630,
second rib 634 and third rib 638 can be in a location offset from
the center of the first continuous elongated profile strip 136,
thereby defining a profile adherence surface 642 between ribs 630,
634, 638 and the front wall 108 to which the first continuous
elongated profile strip 136 attaches. The first rib 630, second rib
634 and third rib 638 of the first continuous elongated profile
strip 136 extend the length, L, of the front wall 108.
[0066] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the reclosable bag
having the reclosable fastener assembly 130 include the second
continuous elongated profile strip 138. In this embodiment, the
second continuous elongated profile strip 138 may be flat. The
second continuous elongated profile strip 138 may also be
manufactured from polyethylene. Therefore, the second continuous
elongated profile strip 138 can be manufactured from the same
material and with the same dimensions as the first continuous
elongated profile strip 136. In this embodiment, As depicted in
FIG. 7, the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 may
include a first rib 750, second rib 754 and third rib 758. The
first rib 750, second rib 754 and third rib 758 along an edge of
the second profile strip 138, thereby defining a profile adherence
surface 746 between ribs 750, 754, 758 and the back wall 110 to
which the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 attaches.
The first rib 750, second rib 754 and third rib 758 of the second
continuous elongated profile strip 138 extend the length, L, of the
back wall 110. The ribs 630, 634, 638 associated with the first
continuous elongated profile strip 136 can interlock with the ribs
750, 754, 758 associated with the second continuous elongated
profile strip 138, causing the reclosable back-seam bag 100 to
close. The reclosable back-seam bag 100 (FIGS. 1-3) can be then be
opened by grasping the gripping flange 142 and back wall connecting
flange 144, and then applying a force that facilitates separating
the flanges 142 and 144.
[0067] FIG. 8A illustrates another embodiment of the reclosable bag
in which the reclosable fastener assembly 130 may include two ends,
a first continuous elongated profile strip 136 having a front wall
connecting flange 140 and a second continuous elongated profile
strip 138 having a back wall connecting flange 144. The first
continuous elongated profile strip 136 may be configured with a
male interlocking profile 802 that may be extruded with at least
one male interlocking member 804. The second continuous elongated
profile strip 138 may be configured with a female interlocking
profile 806 having at least one female interlocking member 808. The
first continuous elongated profile strip 136 may be releasably
connected to the second continuous elongated profile strip 138 by
engaging the male interlocking member 804 with the female
interlocking member 808. The male interlocking member 804 can be
configured to enable the male interlocking profile 802 to be
separated from the female interlocking profile 806 with a
substantially equal opening force when being separated in a
direction toward the top seal as when separating the male
interlocking profile from the female interlocking profile in a
direction toward the bottom seal. This causes a differential
opening force, applied to the inside and/or outside the reclosable
back-seam bag, to remain balanced.
[0068] In a preferred embodiment, when the reclosable back-seam bag
100 is desired to be opened, a user may pinch the front wall 108
and the back wall 110 using fingers of opposite hands, and then,
open the bag 100 by pulling the pinched front wall 108 and back
wall 110 apart from one another. Such mechanism may be referred to
as "pinch-'n-pull". The separation (i.e., pulling apart) of the
front wall 108 from the back wall 110 allows the open male and
female interlocking members 804, 808 to easily disengage from one
another so that separation of the front wall 108 from the back wall
106 can cause the top seal 104 to separate from within as desired
by a user.
[0069] It is contemplated that different configurations of the
front wall connecting flange 140 associated with the first
continuous elongated profile strip 136 and the back wall connecting
flange 144 associated with the second continuous elongated profile
strip 138 can be utilized to facilitate this pinch-'n-pull
mechanism. As an example, in one embodiment (see FIG. 8A), the
front wall connecting flange 140 may be configured to have a height
substantially similar to the height of the back wall connecting
flange 144. In another embodiment (see FIG. 8B), back wall
connecting flange 144 may be configured with an additional back
wall connecting flange 844 so that the combined height of the
flanges 144 and 844 is greater than the height of the front wall
connecting flange 140. In another embodiment (see FIG. 8C), the
front wall connecting flange 140 may be configured with an
additional front wall connecting flange 840 so that the combined
height of the front wall connecting flange 140 and the additional
front wall connecting flange 840 is greater than the height of the
back wall connecting flange 144. In yet another embodiment (see
FIG. 8D), both the front wall connecting flange 140 and the back
wall connecting flange 144 may be, respectively, configured with an
additional front wall connecting flange 840 and an additional back
wall connecting flange 844. Such a configuration as depicted in
FIG. 8D can result in the combined heights of flanges 144 and 844
being substantially similar to the combined heights of flanges 140
and 840. Thus, FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate embodiments of the reclosable
bag in which the reclosable fastener assembly may include two ends,
a first continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall
connecting flange and a second continuous elongated profile strip
having a back wall connecting flange, the flanges respectively
extending upward, downward or both on the walls of the bag.
[0070] FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of reclosable fastener
assemblies that each include a male part and a female part. Each
reclosable fastener assembly 130 may include fasteners 928 that
comprise a male part 962 and a female part 964, parts 962 and 964
being joined to each other as clearly seen in FIG. 9. The distal
ends of each fastener 928 can be flattened so as to permit the
fasteners 928 to be free and separate from another adjacent
fastener 928. This "free and separate" relationship between
adjacent ones of the fasteners 928 can be indicated by reference
numeral 970. However, it is to be understood that adjacent
fasteners can also be attached to each other, continuously or by
spot tacking, dependent on actual operating conditions. Such a
structure is considered to be within the scope of this
invention.
[0071] FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the reclosable bag
having a frangible access portion to access the contents of the
reclosable bag. In this embodiment, the frangible access portion
154 is substantially parallel to the reclosable fastener assembly
130 and may be provided through the front wall of the reclosable
bag by means of one or more score lines. The frangible access
portion 154 is disposed within the bag body 102 adjacent to the
reclosable fastener assembly 130. In this embodiment, the top seal
104 is provided above the frangible access portion 154, and a
bottom seal 106 is provided below the frangible access portion 154.
Such frangible access portion 154 may also be disposed below the
back wall connecting seal 148. Upon tear opening, peel opening, or
opening by delamination, the frangible access portion 154 can
expose the reclosable fastener assembly 130 from which a user can
then gain access to the contents of the bag 102. The frangible
access portion 154 may also be formed with a conventional
perforating die, and can be disposed on front wall 108 of the bag
body 102 adjacent the reclosable fastener assembly 130 and above
the continuous airtight and/or watertight lower seal 146. The
continuous airtight and/or watertight lower seal 146 is disposed
along the length of the reclosable fastener assembly 130 and may be
positioned below the first continuous profile strip 136 and the
second continuous profile strip 138 (not shown). It is recognized
that the characteristics of the first continuous profile strip 136
and the second continuous profile strip 138 associated with the
reclosable fastener assembly 130 may include the features described
above with respect to the earlier described figures. It is
appreciated that seal 146 may be placed such that seal 146 connects
the reclosable fastener assembly 130 to the front wall 108.
[0072] FIG. 11A illustrates an embodiment of a two-flanged
reclosable bag having a re-sealable first zipper patch 1106 that
includes a first zipper flange front wall seal 1102 and a first
zipper flange back wall seal 1104 (see FIG. 11B). The re-sealable
first zipper patch 1106 may be affixed on the front wall 108. The
first zipper flange front wall seal 1102 can then be made on the
first zipper patch 1106 on the open web of film. The first zipper
flange back wall seal 1104 can be made on a second zipper patch
1140, while the tube of film is being formed into a bag. Of course,
the first zipper patch 1106 and the second zipper patch 1140 can be
interchanged such that the second zipper patch 1140 and its
associated configurations can appear on the front wall 108, while
the first zipper patch 1106 and its associated configurations can
appear on the back wall 110. The reclosable bag also incorporates a
zipper profile 1108, which may include a male interlocking profile
1120 and a female interlocking profile 1130 (see FIG. 11C). The
male interlocking profile 1120 may be attached to the back wall of
the reclosable bag via the second zipper patch 1140. The male
interlocking profile 1120 may have a cross section in the shape of
an arrowhead. The female interlocking profile 1130 may be attached
to the front wall 108 via the first zipper patch 1106, and adjacent
to the male interlocking profile 1120. FIG. 11B illustrates the
reclosable bag 100 in a closed position, wherein the female
interlocking profile 1130 may be configured with two curved members
so as to form a channel in between the curved members such that the
male interlocking member can be snappingly engaged to join male and
female interlocking profiles 1120, 1130 respectively together to
close the reclosable bag 100. FIG. 11C shows the reclosable bag 100
in an open position, wherein the male interlocking member 1120 can
be separated from the female interlocking profile 1130 with a
substantially equal opening force when being separated in a
direction toward the top seal as when separating the male
interlocking profile from the female interlocking profile in a
direction toward the bottom seal. The configuration of the first
zipper flange front wall seal 1102 and the first zipper flange back
wall seal 1104 causes a differential opening force, that is applied
to the inside and/or outside the reclosable back-seam bag, to
remain balanced. Therefore, when the reclosable back-seam bag is
desired to be opened, a user may pinch the front wall 108 and the
back wall 110 using fingers of opposite hands, and then, open the
bag 100 by pulling the pinched front wall 108 and back wall 110
apart from one another. Such mechanism may be referred to as
"pinch-'n-pull". The separation (i.e., pulling apart) of the front
wall 108 from the back wall 110 allows the interlocked male and
female interlocking profile 1120, 1130 to disengage from one
another. Further separation of the front wall 108 from the back
wall 110 can cause the top seal 104 to separate from within as
desired by a user. The top seal may be configured to include a
peelable seal such that the peelable seal can be peeled off when
the bag is desired to be opened. In this or other embodiments, the
top seal 104 can be torn opened, peeled opened, or delaminated so
as to open the reclosable bag.
[0073] In an embodiment, the top seal 104 can be configured with an
airtight and watertight seal that may be provided along an
interconnection of a length of the first zipper patch 1106 and the
second zipper patch 1140, and disposed in a location above the
first zipper flange front wall seal 1102 and the first zipper
flange back wall seal 1104. In this embodiment, the bag, first
zipper patch and second patch can comprise a polyethylene material.
In another embodiment, the top seal 104 can be configured with a
permeable seal that may be provided along an interconnection of a
length of the first zipper patch 1106 and the second zipper patch
1140. The permeable seal may be disposed in a location above the
first zipper flange front wall seal 1102 and the first zipper
flange back wall seal 1104. In this embodiment, the bag 100, first
zipper patch 1106 and second zipper patch 1140 can be comprise a
polypropylene material.
[0074] The reclosable bag can also include a frangible access
portion 154 for exposing the contents of the reclosable bag. In
this embodiment, the frangible access portion 154 is substantially
parallel to the first zipper patch 1106 and may be provided through
the front wall 108 of the reclosable bag by means of perforations.
The reclosable bag can also contain one or more score lines 158
that may be disposed in on the front wall 108 and parallel to the
frangible access portion 154 and the first zipper patch 1106. The
frangible access portion 154 is disposed on the front wall 108
between a lower portion of the top seal 104 and the upper portion
of the first zipper patch 1106. Upon tear opening, the frangible
access portion 154 can then expose the contents of the bag 102.
[0075] FIGS. 12A-12C illustrates an embodiment of a front view of a
three-flanged reclosable bag having a first zipper flange front
wall seal 1102, a second zipper flange front wall seal 1202
attached to the re-sealable first zipper patch 1106, and an first
zipper flange back wall seal 1104 attached to a back wall zipper
patch. The second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 provides
additional support to the re-sealable first zipper patch 1106 such
that when a user desires to open the reclosable bag, by pulling a
pinched front wall 108 apart from the back wall 110, an equal
opening force may be exerted from the to the reclosable as well as
to the user. As with FIGS. 11A-11C above, the first zipper flange
front wall seals 1102 and the second zipper flange front wall seal
1202 are made on the first zipper patch 1106 on open web. As
illustrated in FIG. 12B, the first zipper flange back wall seal
1104 can be made on a second zipper patch 1140. FIG. 12B also
illustrates a side view profile of the reclosable bag when closed,
wherein the curved members of the female interlocking profile 1130
are configured to form a channel such that the male interlocking
member 1120 can be snappingly engaged to join the male and female
interlocking profiles 1120, 1130 respectively together. FIG. 12C
illustrates a side view profile of the reclosable bag when opened,
wherein the male interlocking member 1120 can be separated from the
female interlocking profile 1130 with a substantially equal opening
force when being separated in a direction toward the top seal as
when separating the male interlocking profile from the female
interlocking profile in a direction toward the bottom seal. The
second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 provides additional
support to the re-sealable first zipper patch 1106 for attachment
to the reclosable bag so as to cause a differential opening force,
applied to the inside and/or outside the reclosable back-seam bag,
to remain balanced. The other features of the reclosable bag 100
have been previously described in FIGS. 11A-11C.
[0076] FIGS. 13A-13C illustrates an embodiment of different views
of a four-flanged reclosable bag having a first zipper flange front
wall seal 1102 and a second zipper flange front wall seal 1202
attached to the re-sealable first zipper patch 1106, as well as a
first zipper flange back wall seal 1104 and a second zipper flange
back wall seal 1304. In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.
13A, front wall tack-down seals may 1360 be provided on the first
zipper patch 1106 on open web (or during a zipper extrusion
process). A corresponding number of back wall tack-down seals 1370
are provided as well as on the second zipper patch 1140. The
tack-down seals may be configured as a light continuous seal that
may be provided on the first zipper patch 1106 and the second
zipper patch 1140. The front wall tack-down seals 1360 are
configured to maintain the second zipper flange back wall seal 1304
in a close relationship to the second zipper flange front wall seal
1202, so as to prevent the zipper profile 1108 from jamming a bag
making machine during manufacture. Such jamming can occur during,
for example, a manufacture process that can involve movement of a
web through the reclosable bag, over forming collar and down a fill
tube. FIG. 13B shows the front wall tack-down seals 1360 and the
back wall tack-down seals 1370 in close proximity to one another
when the reclosable bag is closed. Such engagement of the front
wall tack-down seals 1360 and the back wall tack-down seals 1370
may be facilitated due to the configurations of each of these
tack-down seals. The tack-down seals serve to maintain the second
zipper flange back wall seal 1304 in a close proximity to the
second zipper flange front wall seal 1202 such that the first
zipper patch 1106 and the second zipper patch 1140 are prevented
from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture. As an
example, the front wall tack-down seals 1360 can be configured to
have a female profile configuration while the back wall tack-down
seals 1370 can be configured to have a male profile configuration.
Therefore, when the bag is closed, the front wall tack-down seals
1360 and the back wall tack-down seals 1370 can serve to maintain
the second zipper flange back wall seal 1304 in a close proximity
to the second zipper flange front wall seal 1202. FIG. 13C
illustrates a side view profile of the reclosable bag when opened,
wherein the male interlocking member 1120 can be separated from the
female interlocking profile 1130 with a substantially equal opening
force when being separated in a direction toward the top seal 104
as when separating the male interlocking profile from the female
interlocking profile in a direction toward the bottom seal. The
four flanges (i.e., first zipper flange front wall seal 1102,
second zipper flange front wall seal 1202, first zipper flange back
wall seal 1104, and second zipper flange back wall seal 1304)
combine to provide additional support to the reclosable bag so as
to cause a differential opening force, applied to the inside and/or
outside the reclosable back-seam bag, to remain balanced. The other
features of the reclosable bag 100 have been previously described
in FIGS. 11A-11C.
[0077] FIGS. 14A-14C illustrates another embodiment of the
reclosable bag that includes a flange-to-flange peelable adhesive
or co-extruded bead attached to the re-sealable first zipper patch
1106. The embodiment described in FIGS. 13A-13C is similar to this
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14A-14C except that the tack seals
of FIGS. 13A-13C are replaced with flange-to-flange peelable
adhesive or co-extruded bead 1460. The flange-to-flange peelable
adhesive or co-extruded bead 1460 are configured to maintain the
second zipper flange back wall seal 1304 in a close relationship to
the second zipper flange front wall seal 1202, so as to prevent the
first zipper patch 1106 and the second zipper patch 1140 from
jamming a bag making machine during manufacture. Such jamming can
occur during, for example, a manufacture process that can involve
movement of a web through the reclosable bag, over forming collar
and down a fill tube. The other features of the reclosable bag 100
have been previously described in FIGS. 11A-11C.
[0078] In another embodiment, either tack seals (FIGS. 13A-13C) or
the flange-to-flange peelable adhesive or co-extruded bead 1460 of
FIGS. 14A-14C can be replaced with a frangible membrane that
connects the front wall flanges with the back wall flanges. Such
frangible membrane 1560, as illustrated in FIG. 15, also serve to
maintain the second zipper flange back wall seal 1304 in a close
relationship to the second zipper flange front wall seal 1202, so
as to prevent the first zipper patch 1106 and the second zipper
patch 1140 from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture.
Such jamming can occur during, for example, a manufacture process
that can involve movement of a web through the reclosable bag, over
forming collar and down a fill tube. The other features of the
reclosable bag 100 have been previously described in FIGS.
11A-11C.
[0079] FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of a side view of a
four-flanged (1102, 1104, 1202, 1304) reclosable bag in which the
male interlocking member is provided in an open disengaged position
when the top seal of the bag remains sealed. In this embodiment,
the male interlocking member 1120 is disengaged from the female
interlocking member 1130, while the top seal 104 remains sealed.
The bag may be easily opened by pinching the front and back walls
108, 110 of the bag 100 and simultaneously separating the walls
until the top seal 104 is ruptured or peeled open. The open
configuration of the fastener profile (i.e., the male and female
interlocking members 1120, 1130) facilitates such opening. The
lengths of each of the first zipper patch 1106 and the second
zipper patch 1140 may each be disposed to be shorter in length than
the width of the bag. Subsequently, easy access is permitted from
either the top of the bag, or from rupturing the frangible access
portion 154 (not shown), and then, separating the fastener profile.
It is contemplated that this configuration can be applicable for
two-flanged and three-flanged reclosable bags as well. Further
details of each of the four flanges 1102, 1104, 1202, 1304 and
other features of the reclosable bag have been previously
described.
[0080] FIGS. 18A-18C illustrate different views of an embodiment of
a four-flanged reclosable bag having a flange overlap configured
with overlap seals. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 18A and
18B for example, overlap seals 1860 may be provided on a flange
overlap 1870, which can then be connected to at least one of the
first zipper patch 1106 and/or the second zipper patch 1140 on open
web (or during a zipper extrusion process), when the reclosable bag
is in a closed position. As illustrated in FIG. 18B, when the
reclosable bag is in a closed position, the overlap seals 1860 can
be constructed and arranged to maintain the second zipper flange
back wall seal 1304 in a close relationship to the second zipper
flange front wall seal 1202, so as to prevent the zipper profile
1108 from jamming a bag making machine during manufacture. Such
jamming can occur during, for example, a manufacture process that
can involve movement of a web through the reclosable bag, over
forming collar and down a fill tube. The overlap seals 1860 may be
configured to break open relatively easily when the bag 100 is
opened by a user. In an embodiment, such overlap seals 1860 can be
configured as at least one of tack-down seals, peelable adhesives,
light continuous seal, and/or frangible membrane that may be
provided on the first zipper patch 1106 and/or the second zipper
patch 1140. FIG. 18C illustrates a side view profile of the
reclosable bag when opened, wherein the male interlocking member
1120 can be separated from the female interlocking profile 1130
with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a
direction toward the top seal 104 as when separating the male
interlocking profile from the female interlocking profile in a
direction toward the bottom seal. In this embodiment, first zipper
flange front wall seal 1102 and second zipper flange front wall
seal 1202 are attached to the re-sealable first zipper patch 1106,
and first zipper flange back wall seal 1104 and a second zipper
flange back wall seal 1304 are attached to the second zipper patch
1140. Each of the four flanges (i.e., first zipper flange front
wall seal 1102, second zipper flange front wall seal 1202, first
zipper flange back wall seal 1104, and second zipper flange back
wall seal 1304) as well as the flange overlap 1870 combine to
provide additional support to the reclosable bag so as to cause a
differential opening force, applied to the inside and/or outside
the reclosable back-seam bag, to remain balanced. The other
features of the reclosable bag 100 have been previously described
in FIGS. 11A-11C.
[0081] FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary machine that can be used to
manufacture a reclosable back-seam bag described herein. Such
reclosable back-seam bag machine may be configured by supplying a
desired web material, whether single ply or laminated, to a form,
fill and seal machine 1700. Such machines are well known in the art
and may include a combination bag forming and filling nozzle
cylinder 1729 that can be adapted to receive products to be filled
into the formed bags from a hopper 1730. Bag making web 1731, which
may carry the reclosable fastener or zipper means 1727, can extend
across the formation axis of the web at suitable longitudinal
spaced intervals along the web, and may be guided by means of guide
roller 1732 to the cylindrical outer surface of the cylinder
1729.
[0082] At the cylinder 1729, a folding or wrapping arm device 1733
guides and wraps the web 1731 about the cylinder 1729 with the
longitudinal margins of the web brought together into a
longitudinal, laminar closure fin assembly 1734. Sealing of the fin
assembly 1734 into a closure seam may be achieved by means of a
pair of vertical sealing bars 1735 which are movable into clamping
and sealing engagement with the closure fin assembly 1734, as
indicated by the solid directional arrows 1737. Such vertical
sealing bars may be configured with a sinusoidal wave seal (e.g., a
sine wave seal 1750) that may serve to maintain the seals. The bars
1735 are then separable as indicated by the dashed arrows 1738 to
release the heat sealed seam section of fin 1734 of the now closed
bag forming tube of the web material.
[0083] The longitudinally sealed tube is advanced by bag length
increments. Such advancement is achieved by means of a pair of
horizontal, parallel bag end sealing bars 1739, which operate by
clampingly engaging the bag web tube below the end of the
cylindrical forming and filling nozzle member 1729 for
simultaneously sealing the top end of a filled bag section 1720 and
the bottom end of the next succeeding bag section. Such horizontal
sealing bars 1739 may be configured with a sine wave seal 1750 that
may serve to maintain the seals. The sealing bars 1739 may be
configured to grip the bag web tube, and then move downwardly by a
bag section length as indicated by the directional arrow 1740, so
as to pull and advance the entire bag making tube one bag increment
downwardly. As this occurs, the next succeeding bag can be filled
with product that may be dropped down the cylinder 1729 from the
hopper 1730. As the sealing and pull down bars 1739 reach the lower
end of their sealing and pulldown stroke, a severance means such as
a cutoff bar 1741 can cut midway across the seal 1742 that has been
effected by the bars 1739, thus releasing the previously filled
bags 1720 which may then be handled as desired, such as to be
packed for market. Having completed its downstroke, the sealing bar
and cutoff device 1739, 1741 may return as indicated by the dashed
directional arrow 1743 to its starting position adjacent to the
lower end of the cylinder 1729. It will be understood, of course,
that operation of the vertical sealing bars 1735, and the
horizontal sealing and pulldown bars 1739 are operated in
coordinated cyclical relation, as is well known in the art for
form, fill and seal machines of this type.
[0084] While this disclosure includes particular examples, it is to
be understood that the disclosure is not so limited. Numerous
modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents
will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present disclosure upon a study of the
drawings, the specification, and the following claims.
* * * * *