Patent Application
20080056622
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by, the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein:
This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “joined,” “connected,” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.
Referring to
Resealable package 10 includes a front panel 12 and a rear panel 14 each with a bottom edge 19, side edges 20, and a top edge 21. In some embodiments, the respective opposite edges 20 of front panel 12 and rear panel 14 are joined directly. In other embodiments, the respective opposite side edges 20 of front panel 12 and rear panel 14 are joined via a side gusset 22 (a fold/crease that gives the bag a three-dimensional shape). Side gusset 22 initially projects inwardly between front panel 12 and rear panel 14 and allows resealable package 10 to expand in volume. Side gussets 22 are typically formed integrally with the front and rear panels. Front panel 12 and rear panel 14 may be manufactured integrally as a continuous substrate suitably folded and joined to itself with a longitudinal seam in a tube-like configuration. Alternatively, front panel 12 and rear panel 14 may be manufactured separately as independent films or sheets of substrate to be joined at their respective opposite edges. Bottom edge 19 of front panel 12 is joined to bottom edge 19 of rear panel 14. When the front and rear panels are joined at their respective opposite side edges 20 and bottom edges 19, the panels form a bag or pouch defining an interior space. The top portions 21 of the front and rear panels define a mouth or opening 23 (
Front panel 12 and rear panel 14 can be made from any variety of substrates suitable for packaging, wrapping, covering, casing, or encasing materials. Conventionally, packages have been composed of multiple layers of paper and solid plastic films with an outer ply typically including a polymer-coated paper with a smooth printing surface, wherein the paper may be laminated to a layer of film and another paper layer. Some embodiments provide a package comprising a middle layer of woven mesh tubing to which an outer layer of solid plastic film is adhered using polypropylene or other polylaminates. The outside layer of film (comprising the outside of the package) may be printed or reverse-printed with graphics and product labeling. Solid films are utilized, which provide excellent printability and strength and meet or exceed performance standards dictated by the marketplace. Some embodiments also use films that are treated or coated to prevent slippage of packages during manufacturing, filling, transport, and storage. The materials to be used may partially or wholly comprise compostable, degradable, or recyclable materials. In some embodiments, a resealable package is provided in the form of a multi-layered composite bag used to store bulk-type products such as pet food, seeds, fertilizer, cereals, grains, charcoal, gravel, sand, and other bulk products intended for human and non-human consumption, and other non-consumable bulk products.
In some embodiments wherein front panel 12 and rear panel 14 are manufactured integrally, a woven mesh material is formed into a tube to which a sheet of plastic film is adhered using a lamination process. The mesh material is comprised of suitable film-forming plastic resin that is split and/or stretched and then woven to form a mesh or net-like material. The woven mesh material is formed into a tubular shape to easily adapt to high-speed bag-forming equipment. The flattened tube is then fed into an extrusion laminator, and laminated on both sides of the flattened tube to a solid plastic film using polypropylene or other polylaminate.
Among the alternative films that can be employed in making the mesh tubes are, without limitation, thermoplastic synthetic polymers, including polyolefins such as low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, polypropylene coated with a layer of polyethylene, high density polyethylene, metallocene, electron-beam cured solid films, copolymers of ethylene and propylene and combinations of these polymers, polyesters, polyamides, polyvinyl polymers, and copolymers, and polylactic acid (PLA) resins. Preferred resins are polyethylene, low density, high density, or linear low density, and combinations thereof, as well as polypropylene coated or laminated with a layer of polyethylene, and polyesters. The solid plastic film to which the mesh tubes are adhered is comprised of various thermoplastic resins or polymers or combinations thereof, including but not limited to polypropylene, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, metallocene, and/or polypropylene coated with a layer of polyethylene, films coated with electron-beam surfaces that may or may not be pre-printed, and PLA resins.
An outer solid plastic film layer provides a surface for printing or reverse-printing graphics and/or product labeling. The outer solid plastic film is then adhered to the mesh tubes using adhesives, poly extrusion laminating, or some other known means of attaching the two layers. The mesh tube comprises the inside layer of the package, giving the package strength and integrity. A layer of transparent or colored film may also serve as an inside liner of the package and may or may not be printed. The outside film layer also may be treated or otherwise coated on one side with any material that alters the level of slipperiness or tackiness of the outer surface, including the coefficient of static friction measure, making the package less likely to slip during manufacturing, transporting and/or storing.
In an embodiment wherein front panel 12 and rear panel 14 are manufactured as separate films to be joined, the respective opposing side and bottom edges of front panel 12 and rear panel 14 may be joined by any number of various methods of sealing and shutting packages, including, but not limited to, using adhesives or heat seals.
In some embodiments, reclosable fastener assembly 16 includes a first fastening member 24 and a second fastening member 26. In some embodiments, reclosable fastener assembly 16 includes cooperating extruded profiles wherein the first fastening member 24 is a profile strip element that cooperates with the second fastening member 26, also a profile strip element, in a press-to-close fashion. In other embodiments, the reclosable fastener assembly 16 may include any number of suitable resealing mechanisms, including, but not limited to, the following: (a) a male strip intersecting with a female groove; (b) slider tabs; (c) metal tabs extending beyond the side edges of either the front or rear panel so that a top portion of the resealable package can be folded over and the tabs can be bent to hold the package closed; (d) hook-and-loop-type closure strips; (e) a conventional zipper; or (f) a re-joinable adhesive release liner. The reclosable fastener assembly 16 is fixed to the exterior of resealable package 10 and configured to permit easy, intuitive, and convenient opening and resealing of opening 23. Specifically, first fastening member 24 is joined to rear panel 14 and second fastening member 26 is joined to front panel 12. The first and second fastening members may be joined to the package by any suitable means, including use of adhesives, binders, heat-seals, or cold-seals. In some embodiments, the first and second fastening members are provided with an adhesive or binder pre-applied to a portion of the fastening member to be joined to the package.
In some embodiments, tamper-evident structure 18 comprises an adhesive tape 28 with or without a tear tape or tear strip 30. Tear strip 30 extends transversely across front panel 12 in the area of where a top portion of rear panel 14 is folded over to front panel 12. In some embodiments, tear strip 30 extends from one side edge 20 of front panel 12 to the other side edge 20 of front panel 12 with at least one extension 32 of tear strip 30 extending beyond one side edge 20. Adhesive tape 28 extends transversely across front panel 12 and the second marginal portion 42 of the package and directly over top of tear strip 30. In one embodiment, adhesive tape 28 extends at least from one side edge 20 of front panel 12 to the other side edge 20 of front panel 12 and does not extend past any extensions 32 of tear strip 30. In another embodiment, the adhesive tape 28 and the tear strip 30 extend transversely across front panel 12 from at least one side edge 20 to at least the other side edge, and the adhesive tape may be notched and/or sliced at the tear strip, so that the tear strip may be accessible and easily torn away from the adhesive tape by the end user.
Tear strip 32 may be made from any suitable material, including, but not limited to polymeric materials including cellulose, cellulose derivatives, acrylics, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride copolymers, linear polyesters and/or polyolefins such as polypropylene, polyethylene or copolymers thereof, or other suitable thermoplastic materials. Tear strip 32 may be non-adhesive or adhesive on one or both sides. Tear strip 32 may be coated with any material suitable for coating, such as a polymeric material. Tear strip 32 may have any suitable width, is preferably between about ⅛ (0.125) inches and about ½ (0.5) inches, and is most preferably about ⅛ (0.125) inches. Tear strip 32 may have a color or be colorless and may be transparent, translucent, or opaque. In one embodiment, tear strip 32 has a color distinctive from and visible through a transparent or translucent adhesive tape 28. In another embodiment, tear strip 32 is made of a material that allows printing or reverse printing of graphics and/or text.
Adhesive tape 28 may be made from any suitable material, including, but not limited to polymeric materials including cellulose, cellulose derivatives, acrylics, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride copolymers, linear polyesters and/or polyolefins such as polypropylene, polyethylene or copolymers thereof, or other suitable thermoplastic materials. Preferably, adhesive tape 28 is made of a material that allows printing or reverse printing of graphics and/or text, such as company logos, product trademarks, directions or instructions, and/or any other relevant information. Adhesive tape 28 is adhesive on one side so as to adhere to resealable package 10 and underlying tear strip 32. Adhesive tape 28 may have any suitable width, is preferably between about ½ (0.5) inches and about 3½ (3.5) inches, and is most preferably 2 inches. In one embodiment, adhesive tape 28 is a conventional acrylic packaging tape. The adhesive used to join adhesive tape 28 to resealable package 10 is preferably a pressure-sensitive adhesive and is relatively strong so as not to come un-joined from and/or re-adhered to the package without leaving an obvious, visible demarcation or signal that it has been so removed.
From the foregoing description, use of the exemplary resealable package will be readily apparent. Referring to
In some embodiments, after second crease 44 is made, first fastening member 24 is aligned with and able to be releasably connected to second fastening member 26. In other embodiments, multiple folds and creases (e.g., more than two) may be implemented to close resealable package 10. For example, in some embodiments, two folds forming two creases may be implemented before a third fold brings first fastening member 24 to the same side of resealable package 10 as second fastener member 26, such that a fourth fold is used to align and engage the fastener members. In some embodiments, pressure is applied across second marginal portion 42 to releasably connect first fastening member 24 and second fastening member 26. First marginal portion 46 and second marginal portion 42 may be of any width or widths suitable for releasably sealing package 10 and may be dependent on, and may be greater than or equal to, the width of the first and second fastening members. The marginal portions may be of any suitable width or widths, preferably the marginal portions are each about ½ (0.5) inches to about 2 inches, and most preferably the marginal portions are each about 1¼ (1.25) inches. First marginal portion 46 may or may not have a width equal to the width of second marginal portion 42. Resealable package 10 is opened from this closed state by disengaging the reclosable fastener assembly 16 and unfolding the first and second marginal portions to gain access to opening 23. In the above-described fashion, resealable package 10 can be easily and conveniently opened, closed and sealed, reopened, and reclosed and resealed several times.
In other embodiments (not shown), the package may have an additional first fastening member 24 and an additional second fastening member 26 positioned further from the top (distal) end of the package for resealing the package when a substantial portion of the contents have been removed, and several marginal portions have been folded over.
Referring to
Referring to
In further embodiments, the reclosable fastener assembly comprises a first fastening member pre-mated to a second fastening member, with the reclosable fastener assembly being first joined to the front panel, and later joined to the first marginal portion, or alternatively, the reclosable fastener assembly comprises a first fastening member pre-mated to a second fastening member, with the reclosable fastener assembly being first joined to the first marginal portion, and later joined to the front panel.
It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited only to the particular constructions herein disclosed and shown in the drawings. The appended claims should be construed broadly to cover any variations or modifications within the scope or range of equivalents of the claims.
