Not applicable
Not applicable
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to reclosable pouches, and more particularly, to reclosable pouches having closures that include two closure mechanisms.
2. Description of the Background
Reclosable pouches that have two closure mechanisms, each including opposing interlocking closure elements, are known. In one instance, a closure for a reclosable thermoplastic pouch includes first and second profile strips. One profile strip has two elongate male interlocking profiles extending from one side of a backing member. The other profile strip has two elongate female interlocking profiles extending from one side of another backing member. The entire backing member of each profile strip is laminated to a respective first or second pouch wall.
In another instance, a similar set of profile strips also includes a center post extending from the backing member between the male interlocking profiles and a bumper ridge disposed on opposite ends of each backing member. The bumper ridges and the center post allow the profile strips to be sealed to thermoplastic film across the widths of their respective backing members without crushing or distorting the interlocking members.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a reclosable pouch includes a body portion having first and second opposing sidewalls and a first web having a first portion attached to the first sidewall and a first unattached portion. The first web is disposed on an internal side of the first sidewall. The reclosable pouch further includes a second web having a second portion attached to the second sidewall and a second unattached portion. The second web is disposed on an internal side of the second sidewall. Additionally, the reclosable pouch includes a first closure mechanism having first and second closure profiles with the first closure profile disposed on the first web at the first attached portion and the second closure profile disposed on the second web at the second attached portion. Furthermore, the reclosable pouch includes a second closure mechanism having third and fourth closure profiles with the third closure profile disposed on the first web at the first unattached portion and the fourth closure profile disposed on the second web at the second unattached portion.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a zipper for a reclosable bag includes first and second closure profiles disposed between first and second internal walls. The first and second internal walls are attached to first and second opposing sidewalls, respectively, of a reclosable bag. The first closure profile is attached to the first and second internal walls opposite adjacent a point where the first and second internal walls are attached to the first and second sidewalls, respectively. The second closure profile is attached to portions of the first and second internal walls that are not attached to the first and second sidewalls.
According to yet another embodiment, a reclosable pouch includes a body portion having a sidewall and an opening into an interior. The reclosable pouch further includes a flange disposed on an internal side of the first sidewall. The flange has an attached portion secured to the sidewall and at least one unattached portion not secured to the sidewall. Furthermore, the reclosable pouch includes a first closure mechanism for resealably closing the opening. The first closure mechanism includes a first profile disposed on the flange. Additionally, the reclosable pouch includes a second closure mechanism for resealably closing the opening. The second closure mechanism includes a second profile disposed on the flange. At least one of the first and second profiles is disposed on an unattached portion of the flange.
Other aspects and advantages will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, in which the same reference numbers indicate the same structures in the various embodiments.
Referring to
The closure elements 50a, 50b, 52a, and 52b in some embodiments have a cross sectional shape and/or are formed in accordance with the teachings of Geiger et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,755,248. The closure elements 50a, 50b, 52a, and 52b in other embodiments have a cross sectional shape and/or are formed in accordance with the teachings of Zieke et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,789. In yet other embodiments, the closure elements 50a, 50b, 52a, and 52b have a cross sectional shape and/or are formed in accordance with the teachings of Porchia et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,561. Each of these patents is owned by the assignee of the present application and is hereby incorporated by reference herein in the entirety thereof. In one embodiment, the first closure mechanism 46 exhibits a first closure characteristic and the second closure mechanism 48 exhibits a second closure characteristic different than the first closure characteristic. For example, either or both of the first and second closure mechanisms 46, 48 may exhibit a relatively low level of resistance to bag opening forces but provide a high level of deformation so as to exhibit a clicking feel and/or sound when the bag is opened or closed. In addition, either or both of the first and second closure mechanisms 46, 48 may exhibit a low level of deformation but provide a relatively high overall resistance to bag opening forces. Further, either or both of the male closure elements 50a, 52a may be symmetric or asymmetric about a longitudinal centerline thereof, and either or both of the female closure elements 50b, 52b may be symmetric or asymmetric about a longitudinal centerline thereof.
In the embodiment shown in
In one embodiment, the engagement member 58 of the male closure element 50a may have ridges on opposite sides thereof equally spaced from a distal end as shown. In other embodiments, the male closure element 50a may have points or hooks protruding from sides thereof. Other types of profiles of the engagement member 50a should be apparent to those skilled in the art.
As illustrated in
In one embodiment, a venting mechanism is incorporated into the bag 20 in the form of one or more holes through one or both of the flanges disposed between the upper closure mechanism and the lower closure mechanism. In bag 20, for example, a plurality of holes 76 extends through each of the flanges 44a, 44b. The holes 76 are disposed between the closure mechanism 46 and the closure mechanism 48. In one method of venting excess air from the bag 20, the closure mechanism 48 is closed first. Then, excess air is expelled from the bag 20 through the holes 76. After expelling the excess air, the closure mechanism 46 is closed to complete a seal along the top edge 36. In the case where holes 76 are utilized for venting, the closure mechanisms 46 and 48 may be spaced a distance of, for example, between about 0.3 inch (7.62 mm) and about 0.4 inch (10.16 mm) apart, or between about 0.32 inch (8.13 mm) and about 0.38 inches (9.65 mm) apart, or about 0.35 inch (8.89 mm) apart.
In another embodiment depicted in
The asymmetric hooked engagement member 88 reduces the closing force required to close the upper closure mechanism 82 while requiring a larger opening force. The larger downwardly turned hook 90a of the engagement member 88 has a higher external opening force than the opposing smaller upwardly turned hook 90b. In one embodiment, the upper closure mechanism 82 provides a smooth sensation and the lower closure mechanism 84 provides a clicking sensation during a closing operation. Illustratively, an external opening force Fe3 of about 4-6 lbs./inch (0.79-1.18 kg/cm) is required to open upper closure mechanism 82, and the lower closure mechanism 84 has a lower external opening force Fe4 of about 3-5 lbs./inch (0.59-0.98 kg/cm) because of the symmetrical arrow-shaped engagement member 46a. Vent holes (not shown) similar to the holes 76 may be included as part of a similar venting mechanism as heretofore described with respect to
Referring to
As with other embodiments, the top ends of the bag walls 22, 24 of
In one embodiment, the upper closure mechanism 99 of
In yet another embodiment shown in
The closure mechanism 134 is parallel to the closure mechanism 136 and spaced therefrom a distance that is sufficiently small to create the perception to a user that both mechanisms act as a single closure. In some embodiments, the closure mechanisms 134, 136 are spaced sufficiently far apart such that a user's fingers and/or thumb are guided therebetween during a closing operation. These results may be achieved, for example, by spacing the closure mechanisms 134, 136 between about 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) and about 0.3 inch (7.62 mm) apart, or between about 0.15 inch (3.81 mm) and about 0.25 inch (6.35 mm) apart, or about 0.20 inch (5.08 mm) apart. Different distances between the closure elements 134, 136 may be used depending on the desired application thereof.
As illustrated in
In
In the embodiment shown in
In another embodiment depicted in
The lower closure mechanism 254 includes a male closure element 254a disposed on the inner surface of the first flange 256a interlockingly opposing a female closure element 254b disposed on the inner surface of the second flange 256b. The lower male closure element 254a includes a base member 270 disposed on the flange 256a and an asymmetric hooked engagement member 272 extending therefrom. The asymmetric hooked engagement member has a downwardly turned hook 274 that requires a higher opening force from within the bag 250 to disengage the closure elements 254a, 254b and requires a lower external opening force to disengage the closure elements 254a, 254b. In fact, when the upper closure elements 252a, 252b are disengaged, the lower closure elements 254a, 254b fall open due to the absence of a hook opposite the hooked engagement member 272. The female closure element 254b includes a base member 276 and a C-shaped profile 278 extending therefrom, wherein the female closure element 254b is adapted to engage the hooked engagement member 272.
Still referring to the embodiment of
Another embodiment of the bag 250 of
Although two closure mechanisms are depicted in each of the embodiments herein, any number of closure mechanisms may be used.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous combinations of symmetric and asymmetric male and female closure elements are possible to create pouches of various sizes and shapes with a multitude of differing opening and closing forces. The number of closure mechanisms and the order and placement on the pouch walls may be varied to adjust the opening and closing characteristics of the pouch. Additionally, it is envisioned that various other closure characteristics, such as tactile feedback, aural feedback, etc., can be used in conjunction with the aforementioned embodiments.
The pouch described herein provides a plurality of different closure characteristics and can provide greater security against inadvertent opening of the pouch. The distance between the closure mechanisms can be varied as desired and the male and female closure elements may be disposed on either bag wall. A bag including a dual closure mechanism with at least one of the closure mechanisms disposed along a portion of a backing flange that is not attached to the bag walls may reduce inadvertent opening of the closure mechanisms due to internal bursting forces in a larger bag. Further, a pouch having a double zipper tape with at least one zipper not being laminated or directly secured to the pouch walls allows the zipper tape to be attached to film for forming the pouch walls using conventional hot bar, single-zipper sealing technology with only minimal change to existing production sealing equipment to accommodate the added width of the double zipper tape.
Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications that come within the scope of the disclosure are reserved.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/771,590, filed Feb. 8, 2006, and entitled “Large Reclosable Pouch with Two Closure Mechanisms.”
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