U.S. patent application number 14/754755 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-22 for unisex zippered packages with wide mouth and other features.
This patent application is currently assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. Invention is credited to Steven AUSNIT, Eric PLOURDE.
Application Number | 20150298864 14/754755 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54321363 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150298864 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AUSNIT; Steven ; et
al. |
October 22, 2015 |
UNISEX ZIPPERED PACKAGES WITH WIDE MOUTH AND OTHER FEATURES
Abstract
The disclosure pertains to method for manufacturing reclosable
packages, bags or pouches wherein, typically, a unisex zipper is
looped so as to form a gap between the ends of the zipper and
sealed inside of the package. The formation of the looped zipper
segment causes the package to have a wide open mouth, and a natural
tendency toward the open configuration.
Inventors: |
AUSNIT; Steven; (New York,
NY) ; PLOURDE; Eric; (Frankfort, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. |
Glenview |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Glenview
IL
|
Family ID: |
54321363 |
Appl. No.: |
14/754755 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13193030 |
Jul 28, 2011 |
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14754755 |
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61368496 |
Jul 28, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
493/214 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/2541 20130101;
B31B 70/8133 20170801; B65D 33/20 20130101; B31B 70/644 20170801;
B65D 33/007 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/25 20060101
B65D033/25; B65D 33/18 20060101 B65D033/18 |
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing reclosable packages, including the
steps of: providing a web moving in a machine direction; attaching
a reclosure across the web in a transverse direction, wherein the
reclosure includes an interlocking element and further includes
first and second ends which are inwardly offset from respective
first and second edges of the web, thereby providing respective
first and second spaces of the web inwardly adjacent from
respective first and second edges of the web, the first and second
spaces of the web being outwardly adjacent from the respective
first and second ends of the reclosure; and bringing the first and
second spaces of the web together, thereby positioning portions of
the interlocking element proximate to the first and second ends of
the reclosure into unmated opposing end-wise alignment, the first
and second ends of the reclosure being separated by a gap.
2. The method of claim 1 further including a step of sealing the
first and second spaces of the web to each other.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of sealing forms a fin
seal.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of sealing forms a lap
seal.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the reclosure is a unisex
zipper.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the reclosure is a multiple
alignment zipper.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein the reclosure includes one
flange.
8. The method of claim 2 wherein the reclosure includes two
flanges.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of bringing the first and
second spaces of the web together further forms first and second
walls of the package.
10. A method of claim 1 wherein the reclosure includes a first
flange and a peel seal on the flange.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of bringing the first
and second spaces of the web together further includes forming the
reclosure into loop which has a tendency to remain open.
12. The method of claim 1 further including a step of cross-sealing
between sequential packages.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of bringing the first
and second spaces of the web together further includes the step of
forming a tube.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 13/193,030, filed Jul. 28, 2011, which claims priority
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser.
No. 61/368,496 filed Jul. 28, 2010, the disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0003] The present disclosure pertains to unisex zippered
reclosable packages with a wide mouth opening feature and/or easy
open and/or easy close features. The present disclosure further
pertains to wide mouth opening pre-made or horizontal form, fill
and seal pouches. The present disclosure further pertains to
pre-made or horizontal form, fill and seal pouches with pour spout
reclosures.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Wide mouth gusseted packages are disclosed by U.S. Published
Patent Application No. 2007/0258665 entitled "Wide Mouth Gusseted
Packages", published on Nov. 8, 2007 on behalf of Greco. While the
Greco reference is well-adapted for its intended purposes, further
improvements are sought with respect to simplifying the
manufacturing process, particularly in transverse direction (TD)
applications.
[0006] Additionally, while vertical form fill seal (VFFS) machines
are well-adapted for their intended purposes, some VFFS
applications which include transverse placement of the joined
zipper can deal with issues such as a propensity for inner flange
sealing exacerbated by poor heat transfer films; slide between the
male and female zipper elements resulting in "inch worming" or open
zippers jamming the equipment; lateral movement of elements
resulting in offset elements that jam in the cassette or on the lip
of the filling tube; poor stomping of joined zipper ends required
to prevent slide of male and female elements or to promote ease of
closure which then fail upon forcibly being opened to full mouth
opening; premature knife wear as a result of cutting the two
elements together; and zipper camber due to unbalanced flanges and
the complexity of different sized flanges resulting in unreliable
zipper transport or jumping off of or out of the guide, improper
placement of the zipper, or unwanted zipper curvature.
[0007] Additionally, such applications may require jaw
modifications in order to operate properly. The sealing of consumer
side flanges to film may require more actions to take place under
difficult operating conditions. The high heat conditions and the
requirement to make these flange seals can also promote hot tack
failure between the flanges and the film or flange-to-flange hot
tacking.
[0008] Similarly, some current transverse direction zipper
production applications may incur increased costs. These increased
costs may occur due to joining equipment which increases scrap and
reduces production speeds, increased sensitivity to winding
conditions, the use of more expensive materials to prevent inner
flange sealing, increased costs of sealant layers and the inherent
complexity of working with male female profiles.
[0009] Moreover, the opening of sonic reclosable pouches may be
restricted or smaller than the full mouth opening because of the
zipper. In some transverse direction processes, it is necessary for
the zipper to be shorter than the pouch in order to insert the
zipper into the pouch. In addition, the zipper may be stomped which
reduces the opening even further. Moreover, ease in opening is not
always fully satisfactorily achieved by a pouch manufactured in a
transverse direction application. Additionally, some single
profiles do not close as well as some double zipper profiles.
[0010] In a pillow-type bag, the percentage mouth opening lost is
relatively small compared to that of gusseted bags, yet the end
stomps of the zipper still remove some the mouth opening in the
pillow bag. Many current gusseted bags use a zipper that is short
of the width of the bag's front panel, thereby restricting the
opening size of the bag. In many applications, it is desirable that
the opening of a pillow or gusseted bag be as large as possible to
enable ease of scooping out or pouring out the product, or
filling.
[0011] Other prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,862 entitled
"Method of and Means of Making Reclosable Bags and Method
Therefor", issued on Apr. 7, 1987 to Christoff et al.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0012] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to
provide improvements in wide mouth gusseted reclosable packages or
bags.
[0013] It is therefore a further object of the present disclosure
to provide improvements in gusseted bags with respect to increased
width of mouth, increased ease of opening and/or increased ease of
closing.
[0014] These and other objects are attained by a method which
typically includes the steps of attaching a multi-track,
self-mating reclosure across a web; providing a space or gap in the
web between each end of the reclosure and each edge of the web,
leaving enough room to form a fin or lap seal from the web material
in the space or gap between the ends of the reclosure and the edges
of the web; bringing the edges of the web together; so that the
interlocking elements of the reclosure are in unmated opposing
end-wise alignment with each other; and attaching the spaces or
gaps together at each end of the web to form a fin seal or to form
a lap seal.
[0015] These and other objects are further attained in the first
and second embodiments of the disclosure by providing a package,
pouch or bag, that includes a zipper reclosure which is typically a
unisex style zipper, possibly including double profiles. The zipper
or reclosure is attached to the pouch film by a transverse
direction process. Because the zipper or reclosure is a unisex
configuration, it can be fully attached to the film in a transverse
direction application. The zipper or reclosure is attached to the
width of the pouch film at the applicator position, but is
configured so that there is a gap between the ends of the zipper or
reclosure, whereby the ends of the zipper are spaced away from the
fin seal or other seal. This gap makes it easier to form to fin or
other seal, as compared to a similar embodiment without such a gap.
The zipper or reclosure can have one or two flanges. The flanges
are sealed to the pouch film in the transverse direction
applicator.
[0016] These and other objects are attained in a third embodiment
of the disclosure by applying a unisex zipper in the transverse
direction to the width of the film web on a VFFS machine, whereby
the zipper is configured so that there is a gap between the ends of
zipper or reclosure, whereby the ends of the zipper are spaced away
from the fin seal or other seal. The VFFS machine forms a package
from the web. Often the machine will form a bag with side
gussets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Further objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following description and from the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a first embodiment of
the present disclosure, showing a reclosable package, using a
unisex zipper or reclosure, in a closed configuration.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of a first embodiment of
the present disclosure, showing a reclosable package in an open
configuration.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a first perspective view of a second embodiment of
the present disclosure, showing a reclosable package in a closed
configuration.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a second perspective view of a second embodiment
of the present disclosure, showing a reclosable package, using a
double unisex zipper or reclosure, in an open configuration.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a typical zipper (or
reclosure) profile, a double unisex multiple alignment zipper.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the reclosure in an open
configuration across a width of the film or web.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the zipper or reclosure
proximate to a lap seal.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the zipper or reclosure
proximate to a fin seal.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a view of the reclosure of FIG. 6, further
including a peel seal type zipper.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like
numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one
sees that FIGS. 1 and 2 disclose a first embodiment of the
disclosure, including a package 10, formed from front wall 12 and
rear wall 14 (including fin seal 60), and a double profile, unisex,
multi-track, self-mating zipper or reclosure 20, illustrated as
including two flanges 22, 24. FIGS. 3 and 4 disclose a similar
second embodiment of the disclosure, including a package 10 and a
unisex multiple alignment zipper or reclosure 20', illustrated as
including only one flange 22. As shown in FIG. 5, a unisex zipper
or reclosure is one which can be folded and mated or interlocked
with itself. It is envisioned that this reclosure is not limited to
a zipper, and that various kinds of reclosures, such as those made
by Aplix or hook-and-eye closures such as Velcro.RTM., may be
substituted for the zipper.
[0028] In both the first and second embodiments, the zipper 20 or
20' is attached in a transverse direction to the film which is
subsequently formed into a tubular shape thereby forming front and
rear walls 12, 14 of package 10. This attachment is performed by a
transverse direction applicator so that gap 23 is formed between
the ends of the zipper 20 or 20'. FIG. 9 illustrates a variation of
a zipper applied in a transverse direction across a web, further
including a peel seal. All flanges are sealed to the pouch seal in
the transverse direction.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, the zipper or reclosure 20 (or 20')
extends across the web 42. The zipper or reclosure 20 has first and
second ends 20A, 20B which are separated from respective first and
second edges 42A, 42B of the web 42. First space 61 (a portion of
web 42 free of zipper 20) is formed between the first end 20A of
zipper 20 and first edge 42A of web 42 and second space 62 (a
portion of web 42 free of zipper 20) is formed between the second
end 20B of zipper 20 and second edge 42B of web 42. As shown in
FIG. 7, the edges 42A, 42B are brought together, thereby bringing
spaces 61, 62 together, to form a lap seal 58, or, alternatively,
as shown in FIG. 8, a fin seal 60, and additionally aligning the
ends 20A, 20B of the zipper or reclosure 20 (or 20') so that the
interlocking elements proximate to the ends 20A, 20B of the zipper
or reclosure 20 (or 20') are placed into unmated opposing end-wise
alignment, it is further envisioned within this disclosure that
some embodiments may have only a single space 61, formed between
first end 20A of zipper or reclosure 20 (or 20') and first edge 42A
of web 42, while the second end 20B of the reclosure 20 (or 20')
extends to second edge 42B of web 42, thereby eliminating space
62.
[0030] Both the first and second embodiments are produced by
bringing the edges 42A, 42B of the web 42 together, thereby forming
the pouch over a forming machine, such as, but not limited to, a
vertical form fill seal (VFFS) fill tube, in pillow pouch fashion.
The interlocking elements of the zipper (or reclosure) 20 or 20'
are placed into unmated opposing end-wise alignment with each other
and first and second spaces 61, 62 are sealed to each other to form
a fin seal 60 (or alternatively, a lap seal 58). The zipper 20 or
20' is formed in a circular or tubular shape around the fill tube
along with the film, with a gap 23 formed from spaces 61 and 62
between the ends 20A, 20B of the zipper 20 or 20'. This gap 23
makes it easier to form to the fin seal 60, the lap seal 58, or
other seal, as compared to a similar embodiment without such a gap.
As the pouch makes its way to the seal jaws of the VFFS apparatus
(or similar apparatus), the package 10 is sealed above the zipper
20 or 20' with the intention that the zipper 20 or 20' is not hit
by seal jaws forming the bottom of the subsequent package or pouch.
The pouch can be cut to open or perforated to open, in the case of
a consumer application, the top may frequently not be sealed, but
merely cut off as the bottom of the next bag is sealed in the jaws.
FIGS. 1 and 3 are illustrations of the package 10 with the zipper
20 or 20' sealed and the package 10 closed above the zipper 20 or
20'. The package 10 may be left open and unfilled until a
subsequent process. The formation of sequential bags or packages
typically includes a cross-sealing step to form transverse
direction seals at the top and bottom of the packages.
[0031] Because the pouch was preferably created without the zipper
20 or 20' hitting the seal jaws of the VFFS equipment (or similar
equipment), no permanent deformation of the zipper 20 or 20' is
expected. Therefore, the pouch created is essentially a sealed tube
of film with a zipper 20 or 20' attached in the transverse
direction (not including the gap 23) along the entire
circumference. Because the pouch was created with the film in
tubular or circular form, the natural tendency of the film is
typically to stay open in the tube shape, as shown in FIGS. 2 and
4. This is counteracted at the bottom of the package 10 by the
bottom seal 30 created by the seal jaws to close the bottom of the
bag. Prior art zippers with end stomps in the zipper, and wherein
the zipper is attached to the pouch in the flat state, typically
have a tendency to remain in a flat and interlocked state rather
than a circular state.
[0032] The package 10 of first and second embodiments 10, 10' is
well-adapted as a consumer storage bag. The tendency of the package
10 to remain open when the zipper is not interlocked is desirable
to many consumers who may hold the package or bag 10 with one hand,
while the mouth of the bag remains wide open, which typically may
make it much easier for the consumer, compared with a typical
consumer bag.
[0033] This disclosure further includes improvements in form fill
seal pouches in that the wide mouth feature of the pouch will allow
the user to efficiently dispense the contents. In the first
embodiment, reclosure of the pouch has been rendered easier through
the double unisex profile zipper logic. The combination of double
profile with a multi-alignment or unisex profile design creates the
most forgiving package from a reclosure point of view. In either
the first or second embodiment, the zipper could be designed to
have a single flange or could have two flanges of equal or
different lengths. The profile could be placed in the center of the
two flanges to form a symmetric design but it could also be an
asymmetric design.
[0034] In both the first and second embodiments, the use of a
unisex zipper across a substantial portion of the web width (with
the unisex zipper or reclosure being somewhat less long than the
width of the web, thereby allowing a gap to be formed between the
edges of the reclosure or zipper when the web is formed into a
tubular shape with a fin seal) will produce a process that
addresses many of the problems of current transverse directional
processes, resulting in more process latitude and higher pouch
making or process speeds and improved commercial prospects. In
summary, the following concerns are expected to be addressed by the
embodiments:
[0035] 1. Sealing the zipper to the film from the zipper side in
front of the tube eliminates or reduces propensity for inner flange
sealing exacerbated by poor heat transfer films.
[0036] 2. Sealing the zipper to the film from the zipper side
eliminates or reduces the need for jaw modifications and tight
registration requirements between zipper placement and the
jaws.
[0037] 3. Using one continuous unisex zipper element eliminates or
reduces male/female slide between the elements and thus "inch
worming", open zipper or lateral movement causing jamming within
the FFS equipment in the cassette or on the lip of the tube.
[0038] 4. Elimination of end stomping is expected to achieve
various advantages.
[0039] 5. Knife life is increased because only a single element
zipper is being used versus double the mass.
[0040] 6. Using a continuous unisex zipper should reduce camber and
promote straight zipper, good zipper transport and positioning of
the zipper.
[0041] Moreover, production costs are typically reduced as less
costly materials are used, no joining is required, less sensitive
winding is required, and less complex profiles typically have
reduced scrap.
[0042] The embodiments are typically expected to achieve many or
all of the following advantages:
[0043] 1. The resulting package will open up wide and stay open
thereby allowing the user to use one hand to manipulate the bag,
leaving one hand free for easier filling.
[0044] 2. An improved form fill seal pouch allows for ease of
product dispensing.
[0045] 3. An improved and reliable transverse direction
manufacturing process is achieved.
[0046] 4. A fully open pouch may be achieved, without losses caused
by gussets, stomping or a zipper shorter than full bag width.
[0047] 5. Reduced cost zipper may be used in that the need for high
density polyethylene is eliminated or reduced, the need for film
may be eliminated or reduced, and linear low density polyethylene
materials are expected to be able to be run at higher speeds.
[0048] 6. The pouch may be easier to close in view of the unisex
multiple alignment double zipper profile.
[0049] 7. Zipper cutting and feeding may be simplified with reduced
mass, no male/female slide, and reduced camber.
[0050] 8. Zipper sealing is simplified due to the expected
reduction or elimination of jaw modifications (particularly those
which would otherwise be done in response to changes of film) and
the expected reduction or elimination of hot tack problems.
[0051] 9. As the zipper is not sealed in the jaw area, a more
robust process is possible.
[0052] 10. The need for ultrasonics may be reduced or
eliminated.
[0053] The embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG.
9 adds hermeticity to the packages of the first and second
embodiments by adding a peel seal coating to the flange above the
profile. A unisex zipper segment 20 or 20' (single or double flange
zipper segments may be used) is applied in the transverse direction
to the width of the film web 42 on a VFFS machine, but is
configured so that spaces 61 and 62 form gap 23 when the zipper is
in closed configuration, whereby the ends 40A, 40B of the zipper
are spaced away from the fin seal 60 or other seal. The web 42 is
formed by the VFFS machine. While not illustrated, the resulting
package may include side gussets. As described with respect to the
first and second embodiments, the use of a unisex zipper also
allows for a full mouth opening for gusseted bags. However, the web
42 which forms the walls of the bag or package cannot be perforated
if hermeticity is desired. Hermeticity can be achieved by the
structure of FIG. 9 by the peel seal 50. The zipper or reclosure
segment 20 includes first and second flanges 22, 24 as well as
interlocking profile 48. Additionally, as indicated, a strip of
peel seal material 50 is provided on first flange 24.
[0054] Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are
most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the
invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it
should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited
thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended
claims.
* * * * *