U.S. patent number RE39,505 [Application Number 10/647,819] was granted by the patent office on 2007-03-13 for fill-through-the-top package and method and apparatus for making the same.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Pactiv Corporation. Invention is credited to John D. Athans, Samuel D. Aversa, Toby R. Thomas.
United States Patent |
RE39,505 |
Thomas , et al. |
March 13, 2007 |
Fill-through-the-top package and method and apparatus for making
the same
Abstract
A fill-through-the-top reclosable package includes first and
second opposing body panels joined to each other along a pair of
sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The package is
provided with a reclosable fastener extending alone a package top
disposed opposite the bottom. The fastener includes first and
second opposing tracks. The first track includes a male profile,
while the second track includes a female profile adapted to
releasably interlock with the male profile. To provide tamper
evidence, the first and second tracks may be joined to each other
along an area of weakness. When making the package, the first track
is first attached to the first panel, the package, the first track
is first attached to the first panel, the package is filled with a
product via a fill opening between the second track and the second
panel, and then the second track is attached to the second
panel.
Inventors: |
Thomas; Toby R. (Pleasant
Prairie, WI), Aversa; Samuel D. (Farmington, NY), Athans;
John D. (Victor, NY) |
Assignee: |
Pactiv Corporation (Lake
Forest, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
23471862 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/647,819 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
09373312 |
Jun 6, 2000 |
6071011 |
|
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Reissue of: |
09422510 |
Oct 21, 1999 |
06279298 |
Aug 28, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/412; 53/459;
53/284.7; 53/139.2; 53/133.4; 53/469; 53/570; 53/562; 493/213 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C
66/349 (20130101); B29C 66/43121 (20130101); B29C
66/81811 (20130101); B29C 66/83423 (20130101); B65B
43/123 (20130101); B65B 51/146 (20130101); B65B
61/188 (20130101); B65D 33/2591 (20130101); B29C
65/18 (20130101); B29C 66/1122 (20130101); A44B
19/267 (20130101); B29C 66/73793 (20130101); B29C
66/3492 (20130101); B29C 66/3494 (20130101); B29K
2023/06 (20130101); B29K 2023/0625 (20130101); B29K
2023/0633 (20130101); B29K 2023/065 (20130101); B29K
2023/083 (20130101); B29K 2023/086 (20130101); B29K
2027/08 (20130101); B29K 2995/005 (20130101); B29K
2995/0053 (20130101); B29L 2005/00 (20130101); B29L
2031/7128 (20130101); B29C 66/8181 (20130101); B29C
66/8122 (20130101); B29C 66/81419 (20130101); B29C
66/71 (20130101); B29C 66/72328 (20130101); B29C
66/72321 (20130101); B29C 66/7234 (20130101); B29C
66/71 (20130101); B29K 2077/00 (20130101); B29C
66/71 (20130101); B29K 2069/00 (20130101); B29C
66/71 (20130101); B29K 2067/003 (20130101); B29C
66/71 (20130101); B29K 2067/00 (20130101); B29C
66/71 (20130101); B29K 2033/08 (20130101); B29C
66/71 (20130101); B29K 2027/08 (20130101); B29C
66/71 (20130101); B29K 2027/06 (20130101); B29C
66/71 (20130101); B29K 2025/06 (20130101); B29C
66/71 (20130101); B29K 2023/12 (20130101); B29C
66/71 (20130101); B29K 2023/086 (20130101); B29C
66/71 (20130101); B29K 2023/083 (20130101); B29C
66/71 (20130101); B29K 2023/06 (20130101); B29C
66/8122 (20130101); B29K 2827/18 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65B
1/04 (20060101); B65B 61/18 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;53/412,455,459,469,133.4,139.2,562,570,550,450
;493/213,214,927 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
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WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Sipos; John
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jenkens & Gilchrist
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.
.[.09/373,212.]. .Iadd.09/373,312.Iaddend., filed Aug. 12, 1999,
now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,011 on Jun. 6, 2000.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of filling a package, made from a continuous web of
material comprising: providing a plurality of interconnected
packages made from said web, each package including first and
second opposing body panels joined along a pair of sides and a
bottom bridging the sides, the package including a fastener
attached to the first body panel along a mouth portion of the
package disposed opposite the bottom, the fastener initially being
at least partially unattached to the second body panel while the
fastener is attached to the first body panel; separating each
package from said plurality of interconnected packages; filling the
separated package with a product via a fill opening between the
fastener and the second body panel; and attaching the fastener to
the second body panel of the filled package to seal the fill
opening.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fastener includes first and
second interlocking profiles and first and second fins extending
from the respective profiles, the first and second fins being
joined along the breakable area of weakness, the first fin being
attached to the first body panel, the second fin being at least
partially unattached to the second body panel while the fastener is
attached to the first body panel.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the fill opening in the step of
filling the package is between the second fin and the second body
panel.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of attaching the
fastener to the second body panel includes attaching the second fin
to the second body panel.
5. The method of claim 1 further including the step of sealing said
first and second body panels above said fastener.
6. A method of making and filling a packages, comprising: providing
a package including first and second opposing body panels;
attaching a fastener to the first body panel along a mouth portion
of the package; attaching said first and second panels to each
other to form a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the sides
opposite the fastener; filling the package with a product via a
fill opening between the fastener and the second body panel; and
attaching the fastener to the second body panel to seal the fill
opening.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fastener includes first and
second interlocking profiles and first and second fins extending
from the respective profiles, the fill opening in the step of
filling the package being between the second fin and the second
body panel, wherein the step of attaching the fastener to the first
body panel includes attaching the first fin to the first body
panel, and wherein the step of attaching the fastener to the second
body panel includes attaching the second fin to the second body
panel.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second fins are
joined to each other along the breakable area of weakness.
9. A method of making and filling packages, comprising: providing a
plastic web and a fastener in a longitudinal direction; folding the
web to provide first and second opposing panels joined along a
longitudinal bottom; attaching the fastener to an inner surface of
the first panel near a longitudinal edge thereof opposite the
longitudinal bottom; sealing the first and second panels to each
other at spaced seals transverse to the longitudinal direction to
form the packages; filling each package with a product via a fill
opening between the fastener and the second panel; and attaching
the fastener to an inner surface of the second panel to seal the
fill opening.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said bottom includes a
gusset.
11. A method of filling a package made from a continuous web of
material, comprising: providing a plurality of interconnected
packages made from said web, each package including two panels
defining a mouth portion and a reclosable fastener that is useful
for opening and closing said mouth portion after said package is
filled, said fastener having a final attachment position on said
two panels and being attached to said two panels along only a
portion of said final attachment position so as to define an
unattached segment and an attached segment of said fastener, said
unattached segment and the adjacent one of said two panels define a
fill opening therebetween; filling said package with a product
through said fill opening; and separating each package from said
plurality of interconnected packages; attaching said unattached
segment of said fastener to said panels along the entirety of said
final attachment position.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein said package includes a bottom
with a gusset.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein said fastener includes a first
interlocking profile with a first fin and second interlocking
profile with a second fin.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said first and second fins are
joined along a breakable area of weakness.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein, during said providing step,
said first fin is attached to a first one of said two panels along
said final attachment position and said second fin is at least
partially unattached to a second one of said two panels along said
final attachment position, said second fin and said second panel
defining said fill opening.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein said second fin is entirely
unattached to said second one of said two body panels along said
final attachment position.
.Iadd.17. A method of making and filling packages, comprising:
providing first and second opposing panels of a plastic web and a
fastener in a longitudinal direction; attaching said fastener to an
inner surface of said first panel; sealing said first and second
panels to each other at spaced seals transverse to said
longitudinal direction to form said packages; filling each package
with a product via a fill opening between said fastener and said
second panel; and attaching said fastener to an inner surface of
said second panel to seal said fill opening..Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. A method of filling a package, made from a continuous web
of material comprising: providing a plurality of interconnected
packages made from said web, each package including first and
second opposing body panels joined along a pair of sides and a
bottom bridging said sides, said package including a fastener
attached to said first body panel along a mouth portion of said
package disposed opposite said bottom, said fastener including
first and second interlocking profiles, and first and second fins
extending from said respective profiles, said first fin being
attached to said first body panel, said second fin being at least
partially unattached to said second body panel while said first fin
is attached to said first body panel, said package further
including a tramper-evident feature positioned below said first and
second interlocking profiles; separating each package from said
plurality of interconnected packages; filling said separated
package with a product via a fill opening between said fastener and
said second body panel; and attaching said fastener to said second
body panel of said filled package to seal said fill
opening..Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. The method of claim 18, wherein said fill opening for
filling said package is between said second fin and said second
body panel..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The method of claim 19, wherein said attaching said
fastener to said second body panel includes attaching said second
fin to said second body panel..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. The method of claim 18, further including sealing said
first and second body panels above said fastener..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The method of claim 18, wherein said tamper-evident
feature is a breakable area of weakness on at least one of said
first and second fins..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. A method of making and filing a package, comprising:
providing a package including first and second opposing body
panels; attaching a fastener to said first body panel along a mouth
portion of said package, said fastener including first and second
interlocking profiles, first and second fins extending from said
respective profiles, and a breakable area of weakness providing a
tamper-evident feature, said first fin being attached to said first
body panel, said second fin being at least partially unattached to
said second body panel while said first fin is attached to said
first body panel; attaching said first and second panels to each
other to form a pair of sides and a bottom bridging said sides
opposite said fastener; filling said package with a product via a
fill opening between said fastener and said second body panel; and
attaching said fastener to said second body panel to seal said fill
opening..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The method of claim 23, wherein said fill opening in
filling said package is between said second fin and said second
body panel, and wherein attaching said fastener to said second body
panel includes attaching said second fin to said second body
panel..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. A method of making and filling packages, comprising:
providing a plastic web and a fastener in a longitudinal direction,
said fastener including first and second interlocking profiles,
first and second fins extending from said respective profiles, and
a breakable area of weakness; folding said web to provide first and
second opposing panels joined along a longitudinal bottom;
attaching said fastener to an inner surface of said first panel
near a longitudinal edge thereof opposite said longitudinal bottom;
sealing said first and second panels to each other at spaced seals
transverse to said longitudinal direction to form said packages;
filling each package with a product via a fill opening between said
fastener and said second panel; and attaching said fastener to an
inner surface of said second panel to seal said fill
opening..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The method of claim 25, wherein said bottom includes a
gusset..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. A method of filling a package made from a continuous web
of material, comprising: providing a plurality of interconnected
packages made from said web, each package including first and
second body panels defining a mouth portion and a reclosable
fastener that is useful for opening and closing said mouth portion
after said package is filled, said fastener having a final
attachment position on said first and second body panels and being
attached to said first and second body panels along only a portion
of said final attachment position so as to define an unattached
segment and an attached segment of said fastener, said unattached
segment and said adjacent second body panel defining a fill opening
therebetween, said fastener including first and second interlocking
profiles and first and second fins extending from said respective
profiles, said first fin being attached to said first body panel,
said second fin being at least partially unattached to said second
body panel while said first fin is attached to said first body
panel, each of said packages including a tamper-evident feature
below said first and second interlocking profiles; filling said
package with a product through said fill opening; separating each
package from said plurality of interconnected packages; and
attaching said unattached segment of said fastener to said panels
along the entirety of said final attachment position..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The method of claim 27, wherein said tamper-evident
feature is a breakable area of weakness on at least one of said
first and second fins..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The method of claim 27, wherein said first fin is
attached to said first body panel along an entire length of said
package during said filling step..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. A method of making a reclosable package, comprising:
supplying a web of plastic material in a longitudinal direction,
said web having first and second opposing body panels; supplying a
reclosable fastener including a first profile and a second profile
adapted to releasably interlock with said first profile, said
fastener including a slider for opening and closing said first and
second profiles; with said slider attached to said reclosable
fastener, attaching said first profile to said first panel;
creating individual packages from said web and said reclosable
fastener; filling said individual package with a product via a fill
opening between said second profile and said second panel; and
attaching said second profile to said second panel to seal said
fill opening..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The method of claim 30, wherein said bottom includes a
gusset that expands in response to filling said package with said
product..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The method of claim 30, wherein said supplying said web
includes folding said web to develop said first and second opposing
body panels..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The method of claim 30, further including separating said
individual packages from a remainder of said web..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The method of claim 30, wherein said fastener includes a
plurality of first sealant ribs on an outer surface of said second
profile to facilitate attaching said second profile to said second
panel..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The method of claim 30, further including a
tamper-evident feature below said first and second
profiles..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The method of claim 35, wherein said tamper-evident
feature is a breakable area of weakness on at least one of a pair
of fins attached to said first and second profiles..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. The method of claim 30, further including creating end
terminations on said individual packages for stopping movement of
said slider..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. The method of claim 30, further including sealing said
first and second body panels above said fastener..Iaddend.
.Iadd.39. The method of claim 30, wherein said attaching said first
profile to said first panel occurs along an entire length of said
individual package..Iaddend.
.Iadd.40. The method of claim 30, wherein said attaching said first
profile to said first panel occurs via attaching to said first
panel a structure that is connected to said first
profile..Iaddend.
.Iadd.41. The method of claim 40, wherein said connected structure
is a fin connected to said first profile..Iaddend.
.Iadd.42. A method of filling a package made from a continuous web
of material comprising: providing a plurality of interconnected
packages made from said web, each package including first and
second opposing body panels joined along a pair of sides and a
bottom bridging said sides, said package including a fastener
attached to said first body panel along a mouth portion of said
package disposed opposite said bottom and a slider for opening and
closing said fastener, said fastener including first and second
interlocking profiles and first and second fins extending from said
respective profiles, said fastener initially being at least
partially unattached to said second body panel while said fastener
is attached to said first body panel; separating each package from
said plurality of interconnected packages; filling said separated
package with a product via a fill opening between said fastener and
said second body panel; attaching said fastener to said second body
panel of said filled package to seal said fill opening; and sealing
said first and second body panels above said fastener..Iaddend.
.Iadd.43. The method of claim 42, wherein said fill opening is
between said second fin and said second body panel..Iaddend.
.Iadd.44. The method of claim 42, wherein said fastener is entirely
unattached to said second opposing body panel before filling said
separated package..Iaddend.
.Iadd.45. The method of claim 42, further including folding said
web to provide said bottom and said first and second opposing body
panels..Iaddend.
.Iadd.46. The method of claim 45, wherein said attaching said
fastener to said first body panel occurs after folding said
web..Iaddend.
.Iadd.47. The method of claim 42, wherein said slider is attached
to said fastener prior to said fastener being attached to said
first body panel of said web..Iaddend.
.Iadd.48. A method of filling a package made from a continuous web
of material comprising: providing a plurality of interconnected
packages made from said web, each package including first and
second opposing body panels joined along a pair of sides and a
bottom bridging said side, said package including a fastener
attached to said first body panel along a mouth portion of said
package disposed opposite said bottom and a slider for opening and
closing said fastener, said fastener including first and second
interlocking profiles and first and second fins extending from said
respective profiles, said fastener initially being at least
partially unattached to said second body panel while said fastener
is attached to said first body panel; creating a pair of end
terminations for stopping movement of said slider near said
respective sides of said package; separating each package from said
plurality of interconnected packages; filling said separated
package with a product via a fill opening between said fastener and
said second body panel; attaching said fastener to said second body
panel of said filled package to seal said fill opening; and sealing
said first and second body panels above said fastener..Iaddend.
.Iadd.49. The method of claim 48, wherein said fill opening is
between said second fin and said second body panel, wherein said
attaching said fastener to said first body panel includes attaching
said first fin to said first body panel, and wherein attaching said
fastener to said second body panel includes attaching said second
fin to said second body panel..Iaddend.
.Iadd.50. The method of claim 48, wherein said fastener is entirely
unattached to said second body panel before filling said separated
package..Iaddend.
.Iadd.51. The method of claim 48, wherein said bottom is formed by
folding said web..Iaddend.
.Iadd.52. The method of claim 51, wherein attaching said fastener
to said first body panel occurs after folding said
web..Iaddend.
.Iadd.53. The method of claim 48, wherein said slider is attached
to said fastener prior to said fastener being attached to said
first body panel of said web..Iaddend.
.Iadd.54. The method of claim 48, wherein said first fin is
attached to said first body panel along an entire length of said
package during said filling step..Iaddend.
.Iadd.55. A method of filling a package made from a continuous web
of material, comprising: attaching a reclosable fastener with an
attached slider to a web, said reclosable fastener including a
first profiled and a second profile adapted to releasably interlock
with said first profile, said first profile being attached to said
web, said slider for opening and closing said first and second
profiles; creating individual reclosable packages from said web and
said reclosable fastener; filling each of said individual packages
with a product via a fill opening between said second profile and
said web; and attaching said second profile to said second panel to
seal said fill opening in said individual packages..Iaddend.
.Iadd.56. The method of claim 55, wherein said web includes first
and second body panels, and said method including sealing said
first and second body panels above said fastener..Iaddend.
.Iadd.57. The method of claim 56, wherein said package further
includes a tamper-evident feature below said first and second
profiles..Iaddend.
.Iadd.58. The method of claim 57, wherein said tamper-evident
feature is a breakable area of weakness on at least one of a pair
of fins attached to said first and second profiles..Iaddend.
.Iadd.59. The method of claim 55, wherein said package further
includes a tamper-evident feature below said first and second
profiles..Iaddend.
.Iadd.60. The method of claim 55, further including creating a pair
of end terminations for stopping movement of said slider near
respective sides of said package..Iaddend.
.Iadd.61. The method of claim 60, wherein said web includes first
and second body panels, and further including sealing said first
and second body panels above said fastener..Iaddend.
.Iadd.62. The method of claim 55, wherein said plurality of
interconnected packages includes a bottom disposed opposite of said
fill opening, further including folding said web to form said
bottom and said first and second panels..Iaddend.
.Iadd.63. The method of claim 55, wherein said first fin is
attached to said first body panel along an entire length of said
package during said filling step..Iaddend.
.Iadd.64. A method of filling a package made from a continuous web
of material, comprising: providing a plurality of interconnected
packages made from said web, each package including first and
second body panels defining a mouth portion and a
reclosablefastener that is useful for opening and closing said
mouth portion after said package is filled, said fastener having a
final attachment position on said first and second body panels and
being attached to said first and second body panels along only a
portion of said final attachment position so as to define an
unattached segment and an attached segment of said fastener, said
unattached segment partially defining a fill opening; filling said
package with a product through said fill opening; separating each
package from said plurality of interconnected packages; and
attaching said unattached segment of said fastener to said panels
along the entirety of said final attachment position..Iaddend.
.Iadd.65. The method of claim 64, wherein said package includes a
tamper-evident feature below said fastener..Iaddend.
.Iadd.66. The method of claim 65, wherein said tamper-evident
feature is a breakable area of weakness on at least one of a pair
of fins attached to said first and second profiles..Iaddend.
.Iadd.67. The method of claim 65, wherein said fastener includes a
slider, said slider being attached to said fastener prior to said
fastener being attached along said final attachment
position..Iaddend.
.Iadd.68. The method of claim 64, further including sealing said
first and second body panels above said fastener..Iaddend.
.Iadd.69. The method of claim 64, wherein said fastener includes a
slider, said slider being attached to said fastener prior to said
fastener being attached along said final attachment
position..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to packages to be filled
with a product on a form, fill, and seal machine and, more
particularly, to a reclosable package filled through its tip on a
form, fill, and seal machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical reclosable package includes first and second opposing
panels joined to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom
bridging the pair of sides. A reclosable fastener extends along a
package top disposed opposite the bottom. The fastener generally
includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track includes
a male profile, while the second track includes a female profile
adapted to releasably interlock with the male profile. The first
and second tracks are thermally fused to, or integrally formed
with, the respective first and second panels. To open and close the
fastener, the package may be provided with a slider mounted to the
fastener.
If reclosable packages of the foregoing type are to be prepackaged
with a product and then sold in a store, the packages are typically
prepared on a horizontal or vertical form, fill, and seal machine.
In the form, fill, and seal machine, the package is first formed
into the shape of a pouch having a fill opening at either the top
or the bottom. If the fill opening is disposed at the bottom, then
the top is sealed prior to filling the package. Similarly, if the
fill opening is disposed at the top, then the bottom is sealed
prior to filling the package. Next, the package filled with the
product via the fill opening. Finally, the fill opening is sealed
shut to fully enclose the product within the package. If the
product delivered to the package includes food, then the fill
opening is typically provided at the package bottom and a
tamper-evident feature is provided along the top. The
tamper-evident feature indicates to a consumer whether or not the
package has been tampered with prior to purchase.
Some reclosable packages include a gusset along the bottom which
expands in response to filling the package with a product. The
gusset is advantageous because it increases the volume of product
that can be contained in the package and, when the gusset expands,
it allows the package to stand up on a store shelf. The stand-up
package obviates the use of additional features such as headers
with holes for hanging the package from a hook or post. The bottom
gusset, however, makes it less practical to provide a fill opening
at the bottom because most of the product resides in the
gusset.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
fill-through-the-top reclosable package includes first and second
opposing body panels joined to each other along a pair of sides and
a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The bottom optionally includes
a gusset. The package is provided with a reclosable fastener
extending along a package top disposed opposite the bottom. The
fastener includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track
includes a male profile, while the second track includes a female
profile adapted to releasably interlock with the male profile. To
provide tamper evidence, the first and second tracks are joined to
each other along an area of weakness. The first and second tracks
are optionally provided with respective first and second fins
joined to each other along the aforementioned area of weakness to
effectively create a single fin comprised of the first and second
fins. To open and close the fastener, the package is optionally
provided with a slider mounted to the fastener.
The package is convertible between a pre-filled condition and a
post-filled condition. In the pre-filled condition, the first track
is connected to the first panel, but the second track is only
connected to the second panel along the sides thereby creating a
fill opening between the second track and the second panel in a
region between the sides. After the package is filled with a
product via the fill opening, the package is converted to the
post-filled condition. In the post-filled condition, the second
track is connected to the second panel to seal the fill
opening.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a
method of making a reclosable package includes the following
sequence of steps: (a) supplying a web of plastic material; (b)
supplying a reclosable fastener including first and second opposing
tracks, the first track including a male profile, the second track
including a female profile adapted to releasably interlock with the
male profile, the first and second tracks being joined to each
other along an area of weakness; (c) folding the web to provide
first and second opposing panels; (d) attaching the first track to
the first panel; (e) sealing the web such that the first and second
panels are joined to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom
bridging the pair of sides; (f) filling the package with a product
via a fill opening between the second track and the second panel;
and (g) attaching the second track to the second panel to seal the
fill opening.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention,
another method of making a reclosable package includes the
following sequence of steps: (a) supplying a web of plastic
material in a longitudinal direction; (b) supplying a reclosable
fastener including first and second opposing tracks, the first
track including a male profile, the second track including a female
profile adapted to releasably interlock with the male profile; (c)
folding the web along one or more longitudinal folds to provide
first and second opposing panels, the longitudinal folds creating a
bottom of the package; (d) attaching the first track to the first
panel; (e) sealing the web along a pair of sides, the bottom
bridging the pair of sides; (f) filling the package with a product
via a fill opening between the second track and the second panel;
and (g) attaching the second track to the second panel to seal the
fill opening.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an apparatus for performing the above methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent
upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference
to the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a reclosable plastic bag in a
pre-filled condition embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along line 2--2 in FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the reclosable plastic bag in a
post-filled condition;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4--4 in FIG.
3; FIGS. 5a and 5b are a diagrammatic representation of a method
and apparatus for making and filling the reclosable plastic
bag;
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a method and apparatus
for sealing the reclosable plastic bag;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along line 7--7 in FIG.
6;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along line 8--8 in FIG.
6; and
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken generally along line 9--9 in FIG.
6.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and
alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by
way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in
detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended
to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on
the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 3 depict a
fill-through-the-top reclosable package 10, and FIGS. 2 and 4
depict a top portion of the package 10. Referring to FIGS. 1
through 4, the package 10 includes first and second opposing body
panels 12 and 14 joined to each other along a pair of sides 16 and
a bottom 20 bridging the pair of sides 16. The bottom 20 optionally
includes a gusset 22.
The package 10 is provided with a reclosable fastener 23 extending
along a package top disposed opposite the gusseted bottom 20. The
fastener 23 includes first and second opposing tracks 24 and 26.
The first track 24 includes a rib-type male profile 28 and a first
fin 30 extending downward from the male profile 28, while the
second track 26 includes a groove-type female profile 32 and a
second fin 34 extending downward from the female profile 32. The
male and female profiles 28 and 32 are adapted to interlock with
each other. The first track 24 includes a plurality of narrow first
sealant ribs 36 on an outer surface of the first fin 30 to
facilitate connecting the first fin 30 to the first panel 12, and
the second track 26 includes a plurality of narrow second sealant
ribs 38 on an outer surface of the second fin 34 to facilitate
connecting the second fin 34 to the second panel 14. To provide
tamper evidence, lowermost ends of the first and second fins 30 and
34 are joined to each other along a line of weakness 40 to
effectively create a single fin comprised of the first and second
fins 30 and 34. The line of weakness 40 may be a scored line, a
perforated line, a thinned die line, or a tear strip. In an
alternative embodiment, the first and second tracks 24 and 26 do
not include the respective depending fins 30 and 34, and tamper
evidence is provided by joining the lowermost ends of the profiles
28 and 34 instead of the lowermost ends of the fins.
To open and close the fastener 23, the package 10 is optionally
provided with a slider 42 mounted to the fastener 23. The slider 42
disengages the profiles 28 and 32 in response to movement along the
fastener 23 in an opening direction and engages the profiles 28 and
32 in response to movement along the fastener 23 in a closing
direction. To accommodate the slider 42 and make it difficult to
open the fastener 23 without using the slider 42, the fastener 23
is preferably free to pull flanges extending upwardly from the male
and female profiles 28 and 32. To stop movement of the slider 42
near the sides 16 of the package 10 and thereby prevent the slider
42 from sliding off the end of the fastener 23, a pair of end
terminations 44 and 46 are mounted to the fastener 23 near the
respective sides 16 of the package.10. The end termination 44 stops
movement of the slider 42 in the opening direction, while the end
termination 46 stops movement of the slider 42 in the closing
direction. The end terminations 44 and 46 may be a separate element
attached to the fastener 23, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, or may be
integrally formed with the fastener 23. Examples of end
terminations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,971 to
Herrington, U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,121 to Herrington et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 5,161,286 to Herrington et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,478 to
Richardson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,837 to Morgan, U.S. Pat. No.
5,448,807 to Herrington, U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,375 to Richardson et
al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,173 to Dobreski et al., which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
The package 10 is convertible between a pre-filled condition and a
post-filled condition. In the pre-filled condition shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, the first fin 30 is connected to the first panel 12, but the
second fin 34 is not connected to the second panel 14, except along
the sides 16, thereby creating a fill opening between the second
fin 34 and the second panel 14. After the package 10 is filled with
a product via the fill opening, the package 10 is converted to the
post-filled condition shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the post-filled
condition, the second fin 34 is connected to the second panel 14 to
seal the fill opening. If the bottom 20 includes the gusset 22, the
gusset 22 expands in response to filling the package 10 with the
product. The gusset 22 is advantageous because it increases the
volume of product that can be contained in the package 10 and, when
the gusset 22 expands, it allows the package 10 to stand up on a
store shelf 48. The stand-up package 10 obviates the use of
additional features such as headers with holes for hanging the
package from a hook or post.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method and apparatus for making and filling the
reclosable package 10. The method and apparatus are illustrated in
FIGS. 5a-b, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Referring first to FIGS. 5a and 5b, a
core 50 supplies a web 52 of plastic material. A folder 53 folds
the web 52 to provide first and second opposing panels 12 and 14
joined along a bottom 20 having one or more fold lines. The folder
53 optionally includes a gusset point 54 that creates a gusset 22.
The folded web 52 is conveyed between a pair of rollers 56 that
bring the first and second panels 12 and 14 is close proximity to
each other. A spool 58 supplies a reclosable fastener 23 having the
structure discussed above. The fastener 23 is fed between the upper
portions of the first and second panels 12 and 14.
A sealer 60 seals the first fin 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) to the first
panel 12 in the machine direction, i.e., the direction of movement
of the web 52. The sealer 60 may be a stationary convective (hot
air) sealer that does not contact the web 52, a reciprocating
heated bar sealer that intermittently contacts the web 52, or a
band sealer comprising a heated band that moves with the web 52
until the seal is made. The first sealant ribs 36 (see FIGS. 1 and
2) on the outer surface of the first fin 30 facilitate this
attachment between the first fin 30 and the first panel 12. At this
time, the second fin 34 remains disconnected from the second panel
14. Another reciprocating heated bar sealer 62 seals the first and
second panels 12 and 14 to each other in the transverse direction.
The side seals 16 are generated by the sealer 62 at bag width
distances apart to create individual packages 10. If the bottom 20
includes a gusset 22, a heated bar sealer 64 creates a pair of
angle seals 66 along the gusset 22 on opposite sides of each side
seal 16. The first and second panels 12 and 14 are attached to each
other at the angle seals 66.
If the packages 10 are provided with respective sliders 42, the
sliders 42 are mounted to the fastener 23 at bag width distances
apart either before the fastener 23 is attached to the web 52 or
after the fastener 23 is attached to the web 52. FIG. 5b depicts
the sliders 42 as being installed after the fastener 23 is attached
to the web 52 and after the formation of the side seals 16. To stop
movement of the slider 42 near the sides 16 of each package 10, a
pair of end terminations 44 and 46 are mounted to the fastener 23
on opposite sides of each side seal 16.
The sliders 42 may be installed using various techniques. For
example, the slider 42 may have hinged wings that fold and snap
permanently in place to attach the slider 42 to the fastener 23.
Further details concerning such a hinged slider may be obtained
from U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,010,627, 5,063,644, and 5,070,583 to
Herrington, which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties. In an alternative embodiments the slider 42 may have a
pair of side walls that are temporarily flexed away from each other
as the slider 42 is mounted on the fastener 23 and then returned to
their original position after the slider 42 is mounted. In another
alternative embodiment, prior to the formation of the side seals,
the fastener 23 is cut apart at a location where a side seal is to
be generated, the ends formed by the cutter are moved laterally
relative to each other to expose the ends, and the slider 42 is
threaded onto one of the exposed ends. Further details concerning
this technique of inserting a slider through a split fastener may
be obtained from U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,760 to Donovan, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In yet another
alternative embodiment, prior to the formation of the side seals,
the fastener 23 is notched at a location where a side seal is to be
generated and the slider 42 is threaded onto the fastener 23 via
the notch. The notch is sized to accommodate the slider 42. Further
details concerning this technique of inserting a slider onto a
notched fastener may be obtained from U.S. application Ser. No.
09/307,937 to Provan et al. entitled "Zipper and Zipper
Arrangements and Methods of Manufacturing the Same", filed May 10,
1999, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
After forming the side seals 16 and installing such optional
components as a slider 42 and end terminations 44 and 46, a cutter
68 separates the packages 10 from each other at the side seals 16.
Each package 10 is then placed beneath a fill tube 70 having a
spout that is inserted into a fill opening between the second fin
34 and the second panel 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The fill tube 70
conveys a predetermined amount of product to the interior of the
package 10. The gusset 22 expands in response to filling the
package 10 with the product.
FIG. 6 illustrates a method and apparatus for sealing the filled
packages 10 so that they are ready for shipment to and display at a
store. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced, profiled guides 72,
a pair of moving members 74, a reciprocating heated bar sealer 76,
and a stationary backing plate 82. The profiled guides 72 are
shaped in cross-section to support each package by either the
fastener 23, the slider 42, and/or the end terminations 44 and 46.
As best shown in FIG. 7, the illustrated guides 72 include
respective first steps 78 for engaging the respective lower
shoulders of the slider 42 and respective second steps 80 for
engaging the lower sides of the end terminations 44 and 46. The
opposing inner vertical faces of the guides 72 below the second
steps 80 are spaced sufficiently apart to allow the fins 30 and 34
to fit therebetween, but sufficiently close to minimize the amount
of air in the package head space above the product in the filled
package. Each filled package 10 may be manually placed between the
guides 72 or automatically fed into the guides 72 by conventional
conveying equipment. The guides 72 are preferably made of a
low-friction, rigid material such as hard anodized aluminum or
ultra high density polyethylene.
The moving members 74 are disposed on opposite sides of the package
10 beneath the respective guides 72. The moving members 74
continuously or intermittently convey the packages 10 supported by
the guides 72 to the sealer 76. Each moving member 74 is preferably
a Teflon-coated glass-cloth belt encompassing a pair of spaced
pulleys. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the reciprocating heated bar
sealer 76 is disposed within one of the conveyor belts, while the
backing plate 82 is disposed within the other of the conveyor
belts. When a package 10 is disposed between the sealer 76 and the
backing plate 82, the sealer 76 presses the package 10 against the
backing plate 82 (with the belts disposed therebetween) to attach
the second fin 34 to the second panel 14 in the region between the
sides 16, thereby sealing the fill opening of the filled package 10
(see FIG. 8). The backing plate 82 is optionally cooled with
chilled water or cool air as such pressure is applied by the sealer
76. Additional cooling bars are optionally located within the
moving members 74 downstream from the sealer 76 and the backing
plate 82. Instead of the heated bar sealer 76, the apparatus for
sealing the filled packages may include a heated band of metal,
such as steel, lining the inner surface of the belt of each moving
member 74 and moving with the belt. The heated bands inside the
respective belts seal the second fin 34 to the second panel 14 as
the belts convey the assocaited package 10 through the guides 72.
Once the fill opening is sealed, the package 10 is ready for
shipment to and display at a store. The fully sealed package 10 is
shown in FIG. 9.
The package 10 may be composed of various plastic polymers,
copolymers, coextrusions and/or laminations. The panels 12 and 14
are preferably comprised of mono-layer or multi-layer combinations
of: polyethylene (high, medium, low, linear low, and/or ultra low
density polymers including metallocene); polypropylene (oriented
and/or biaxially oriented); ethylene vinyl acetate; nylon (oriented
and/or biaxially oriented); polyethylene terephthalate (oriented
and/or biaxially oriented); polyvinyl chloride; ethylene vinyl
alcohol (EVOH); polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC); polyvinyl alcohol
(PVOH); polystyrene; foil and/or metalization; and paper. The
slider 42 and end terminations 44 and 46 are preferably comprised
of mono-material, blends, alloys, and/or co-polymers of:
polyethylene (high, medium, low, linear low, and/or ultra low
density polymers); polypropylene (oriented and/or biaxially
oriented); ethylene vinyl acetate; nylon (oriented and/or biaxially
oriented); thermoplastic polyesters; polycarbonate; acrylics;
and/or polystyrene. The profiles 12 and 14 and the fins 30 and 34
are preferably comprised of mono-layer, blends, alloys,
coextrusions, laminations and/or coatings of: polyethylene (high,
medium, low, linear low, and/or ultra low density polymers
including metallocene); polypropylene (oriented and/or biaxially
oriented); ethylene vinyl acetate; nylon (oriented and/or biaxially
oriented); polyethylene terephthalate (oriented and/or biaxially
oriented); polyvinyl chloride; ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH);
polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC); polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH);
polystyrene; foil and/or metalization; and paper. The sealant ribs
36 and 38 are preferably comprised of mono-material, blends, and/or
coextrusions of: polyethylene (low, linear low, and/or ultra low
density polymers including metallocene); ethylene vinyl acetate,
adhesive or low melting temperature sealant.
While the present invention has been described with reference to
one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will
recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of these
embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as
falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which
is set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *