Patent Application
20090257686
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a zipper reclosure that provides an improved package when used in a flow-wrap style of package.
2. Description of the Prior Art
While the prior art in the consumer packaging field, particularly with respect to reclosable packaging, is well-developed and well adapted for its intended use, further improvements are sought in the field. In particular, some prior art packages produced on flowwrapper equipment can have a tendency to be difficult for the consumer to use. A good example of such a package is a typical chunk cheese package wherein the bulky dimensions of the chunk cheese make alignment of the reclosure difficult for the user. Additionally, a second issue in the production of such a package is the ability to produce a hermetic seal consistently while maintaining a high production rate. The addition of a zipper reclosure to this style of package typically requires the converter to slow the line down in order to achieve adequate sealing around the zipper profile.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reclosable package which can be produced at a high production rate while maintaining a consistent hermetic seal.
It is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide a reclosable package which is more easily handled by the consumer.
These and other objects are attained by providing a reclosable package with a four flange zipper. The four flange zipper further includes a double profile which increases the ease of reclosure for the user. Additionally, a pre-activated peel seal is located on the zipper flanges below the profile. The addition of the pre-activated peel seal to the zipper, in place of fully crushed zipper end seals, typically allows for higher line speeds for the converter. That is, the zipper reclosure does not have to have hermetic end seals as long as the pre-activated peel seal is situated below the profiles, and the end seals of the package are correctly configured up to the pre-activated peel seal.
An alternative embodiment includes a tear line in order to increase the end user's perception of a secure package.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one sees from
Mouth 30 is formed at the top of package 10 between the top edges 27, 29 of front face 12 and rear face 14, respectively. Zipper 32 is formed in the interior of mouth 30 and joined to the interior of front face 12 and rear face 14. Zipper 32 includes first profile assembly 36, attached to front face 12, and second profile assembly 38, attached to rear face 14. First profile assembly 36 includes first upper flange 40, first upper interlocking profile 44, first lower interlocking profile 48 and first lower flange 52. Likewise, second profile assembly 38 includes second upper flange 42, second upper interlocking,profile 46, second lower interlocking profile 50 and second lower flange 54. Upper interlocking profiles 44, 46 releasably interlock with each other and lower interlocking profiles 48, 50 releasably interlock with each other. Additionally, if the consumer misaligns the zipper 32 when reclosing the package 10, it is possible that one of the upper interlocking profiles will releasably interlock with one of the lower interlocking profiles, thereby maintaining a closure notwithstanding the misalignment. This typically requires the upper and lower interlocking profile to have the same gender for any given profile assembly. For example, as illustrated, first profile assembly 36 includes two female profiles while second profile assembly 38 include two male profiles. The ends of first and second profile assemblies 36, 38 do not include fully crushed end seals. While fully crushed end seals are typically used in the prior art to provide hermeticity, pre-activated peel seal 56 is formed between first lower flange 52 and second lower flange 54, with side seals 16, 18 overlapping the ends of pre-activated peel seal 56, thereby providing tamper evidence and hermeticity. The upper interlocking profiles 44, 46, the lower interlocking profiles 48, 50 and the pre-activated peel seal 56 are all parallel with each other.
On
Contents 100 are illustrated as a block, such as cheese. However, other contents in the form of slices, chips and similar foodstuffs or other items are equally envisioned.
Top edges 27, 29 are typically either weakly sealed together or hard sealed together but provided with lines of weakness, so that the top edges 27, 29 may be easily separated by the consumer after the initial consumer purchase, with tamper evidence. The consumer then separates the upper interlocking profiles 44, 46, the lower interlocking profiles 48, 50 and the pre-activated peel seal 56. The user can then remove a portion of the contents and reclose the package 10. The double profile configuration makes it easier for the consumer to close the package 10 and maintain a hermetic seal.
By combining a double zipper 32 with a peel seal 56 (which, as described above, provides hermeticity rather than hermeticity being provided by fully crushed zipper end seals) below the zipper 32, zipper end seals which are not fully crushed at the zipper ends, and side seals that overlap the peel seal 56, a faster production of loaded bags can be achieved, while maintaining hermeticity. In other words, the absence of fully crushed zipper end seals provides increased production rates.
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.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/044,560 filed on Apr. 14, 2008 and entitled “Flowwrapper Package With Reclosure That Allows For Improved Closure, Tamper Evidence and Hermeticity”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61044560 | Apr 2008 | US |
