TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a closure arrangement for a reclosable package. More particularly, the invention relates to closure arrangement having a slider end stop.
BACKGROUND
Reclosable packages and bags are used in many different applications. Reclosable bags, for example, often have zipper arrangements for sealing products within the bags. The zipper arrangements typically include a zipper profile having male and female profiles that interlock when pressed together along the length of the zipper. A slider can be used to press the male and female profiles together to close the bags. In such arrangements, the slider is also used to unlock the male and female profiles to open the bags.
Conventional zipper arrangements utilized a number of end stop configurations to prevent the slider from separating from or coming off the end of the zipper profile. Some end stop configurations are formed by heating a portion of the zipper profile, or by using ultrasonic technology to form the end stop. Other end stop configurations include applying glue to an outer surface of the zipper profile or attaching a strap to the zipper profile. Yet, with each of these end stop configurations, the slider still has a tendency to come off the end of the zipper profile.
Consequently, a need exists for an improved end stop that prevents a slider from coming off the end of a zipper profile.
SUMMARY
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a zipper profile arrangement including a reclosable zipper profile, a slider for opening and closing the reclosable zipper profile, and end stops located at opposite ends of the reclosable zipper profile. The end stops include glue or adhesive disposed between either members or ears of the reclosable zipper profile. The end stops prevent the slider from separating from the reclosable zipper profile.
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a paper bag having a zipper profile arrangement including a plastic zipper profile and a plastic slider for opening and closing the zipper profile. The bag includes a flap portion that encloses the zipper profile arrangement.
A variety of examples of desirable product features or methods are set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing various aspects of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate to individual features as well as combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package having a reclosable zipper arrangement, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reclosable zipper arrangement of FIG. 1, showing one embodiment of a zipper profile and a slider;
FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the reclosable zipper arrangement of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the zipper profile of FIG. 2, taken along line 4-4;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a zipper profile that can be used in the reclosable zipper arrangement of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the zipper profile of FIG. 5, shown with an end stop, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the zipper profile of FIG. 6, taken along line 7-7;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the zipper profile of FIG. 6, illustrating one method of manufacture;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the zipper profile of FIG. 2, illustrating another method of manufacture;
FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of the zipper profile of FIG. 6, showing one type of a manufacture treatment;
FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the zipper profile of FIG. 2, showing another type of a manufacture treatment;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a zipper profile, shown with an end stop, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the package having a zipper profile as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, showing another embodiment of a end stop, in accordance with the principles disclosed;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the zipper profile and end stop of FIG. 13, taken along line 14-14;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a bag including a reclosable zipper arrangement, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the bag of FIG. 15, shown with the reclosable zipper arrangement enclosed by a flap portion of the bag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made in detail to various features of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
FIGS. 1-9 illustrate embodiments of reclosable zipper arrangements 10 having features that are examples of how inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure may be practiced. Preferred features are adapted for preventing separation of the various components of the zipper arrangement 10 to provide a consumer with a reliable reclosable arrangement that accommodates extended and repeated use a bag, for example.
Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a zipper profile arrangement 10 is illustrated. The zipper profile arrangement 10 is provided on a package 12. The zipper profile arrangement 10 can be selectively opened to access an interior of the package 12, and selectively closed to seal the package. In the illustrated embodiment, the package 12 is made of a package film 14, such as a flexible package film, having a surrounding wall 16 that defines the interior. A mouth 18 provides access to the interior of the package. The zipper profile arrangement 10 is oriented along the mouth 18 of the package 12 to provide selective opening and closing of the mouth.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the zipper profile arrangement 10 includes a reclosable zipper profile 30. The reclosable zipper profile 30 includes a first zipper profile 22 and a second zipper profile 24 that opposes the first zipper profile. The zipper profile arrangement 10 also includes a slider 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the first zipper profile 22, the second zipper profile 24, and the slider 20 are made of plastic, preferably a thermoplastic.
The slider 20 is mounted on the first and second zipper profiles 22, 24, and is constructed to selectively mate and un-mate the first and second zipper profiles 22, 24 in response to moving or sliding the slider 20 along the zipper profile 30. For example, the slider 20 can move along the zipper profile in a first direction (represented by arrow A) to mate the zipper profiles and close the package 12. The slider 20 can also move along the zipper profile 30 in an opposite second direction (represented by arrow B) to un-mate the zipper profiles and open the package 12.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the first zipper profile 22 of the reclosable zipper profile 30 has a first end 26 and an opposite second end 28. The second zipper profile 24 also has a first end 32 and an opposite second end 34. The first end 26 of the first zipper profile 22 and the first end 32 second zipper profile 24 oppose one another to define a first zipper end 36 (FIG. 2) of the reclosable zipper profile 30. The second end 28 of the first zipper profile 22 and the second end 34 of the second zipper profile 24 oppose one another to define a second zipper end 38 (FIG. 2) of the reclosable zipper profile 30.
Referring now to FIG. 4, the first zipper profile 22 includes a first profile member 42 and a first ear 44 extending from the first profile member 42. The first profile member 42 and the first ear 44 extend along the length of the first zipper profile 22. The second zipper profile 24 includes a second profile member 46 and a second ear 48 extending from the second profile member 46. The second profile member 46 and the second ear 48 extend along the length of the second zipper profile 24.
Each of the first and second profile members 42, 46 of the first and second zipper profiles 22, 24 includes an interlocking element 54. The interlocking elements 54 engage one another (as shown) to seal the package 12 when the zipper profile 30 is closed. The slider 20 (FIG. 2) is configured and arranged to engage and interlock the elements 54. The slider 20 also disengages the elements 54 when the zipper profile 30 is opened. Many different embodiments of the zipper profiles 22, 24 are useable. In the particular ones shown, the interlocking elements 54 have J-shaped cross-sections. The second zipper profile 24 also includes a post 55 that helps the interlocking elements 54 maintain a mated or interlocked orientation.
Referring back to FIG. 2, the zipper profile arrangement 10 of the present disclosure also includes first and second end stops 50, 52. In the embodiment shown, the first end stop 50 is located at the first zipper end 36 of the reclosable zipper profile 30. In the embodiment shown, the second end stop 52 is located at the second zipper end 38 of the reclosable zipper profile 30. The end stops 50, 52 are constructed and arranged to limit motion of the slider 20 so that the slider does not separate from the zipper profile 30. While the end stops 50, 52 in this embodiment are shown at the ends 36, 38 of the zipper profile 30, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the end stops 50, 52 can be at any point along the zipper profile 30, depending on where it is desired to limit motion of the slider 20.
In the illustrated embodiment, the end stops 50, 52 are made from first and second volumes of glue or adhesive 56, 58. The volumes of adhesive 56, 58 are disposed at the each of the zipper ends 36, 38 between the first and second ears 44, 48 of the first and second opposing zipper profiles 22, 24. In an alternative embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 12, end stops 250 (only one shown) can be made from volumes of adhesive disposed between first and second profile members 242, 246, instead of between first and second ears. That is, the end stops can be provided on a reclosable zipper profile 230 without ears, in accordance with the principles disclosed.
Referring now to FIG. 5, apertures or holes 60 may be formed in each of the first and second ears 44, 48 of the first and second zipper profiles 22, 24. In one method of manufacture, the apertures 60 are punched into the ears 44, 48 by a punch press, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures 60 are located in each of the ears 44, 48 adjacent to each of the first and second ends 36, 38 of the reclosable zipper profile 30. Referring to FIG. 12, apertures 260 may similarly be formed in the profile members 242, 246.
In the reclosable zipper profile embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 12, the end stops (e.g. 50) each include first and second adhesive portions 62, 64 (FIG. 7) located within the apertures 60. The first and second adhesive portions 62, 64 are connected by a primary portion 66 of the volume of adhesive (e.g. 56). The first and second adhesive portions 62, 64 located within the apertures 60, and the primary portion 66 of the volume of adhesive 56, connect the first ear 44 of the first zipper profile 22 to the second ear 48 of the second zipper profile 24 at the zipper ends 36, 38. The construction of this end stop embodiment functions somewhat like a rivet to provide enhanced structural integrity of the zipper profile arrangement 10 in certain applications where extra structural strength is required.
In an alternative embodiment, the first and second ears 44, 48 of the first and second zipper profiles 22, 24 (or the profile members 242, 246 of FIG. 12) can include a plurality of apertures or holes 60 (shown in dashed line in FIG. 8) to form end stops as previously described. The apertures of the illustrated embodiments can include circular holes, or other shaped holes that aid in enhancing the bond between the adhesive and the zipper profile 30, or that aid in enhancing the structural integrity of the zipper profile arrangement 10, for example.
Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, another embodiment of a first end stop 350 and a second end stop 352 is illustrated. Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the end stops 350, 352 are made up of a volume of glue 356, 358 deposited between first and second ears 344, 348 of a reclosable zipper profile 330, as opposed to between first and second profile members 342, 346. Each of the volumes of glue or adhesive 356, 358 in this embodiment, however, is of an amount such that the volume overflows the first and second ears 344, 348 of the zipper profile 330.
By providing volumes of glue 356, 358 that overflow the ears 344, 348, the end stops (e.g. 350 in FIG. 14) have a first inner stop portion 392 and a second outer stop portion 394. The first inner stop portion 392 is the volume of adhesive disposed between the first and second ears 344, 348 of the zipper profile 330. The second outer stop portion 394 is the overflow of adhesive that flows or extends over, and is located above, a top edge 398, 399 (FIG. 14) of the respective first and second ears 344, 348. In other words, the first inner stop portion 392 of the end stop is the portion disposed adjacent to opposing inner surfaces 374, 378 of the first and second ears 344, 348; while the second outer stop portion 394 of the end stop is the portion disposed adjacent to outer surfaces 376, 378 of the first and second ears 344, 348.
The illustrated end stops of FIGS. 13 and 14 prevent a slider 320 from sliding off the zipper profile 330 in two ways. In the first way, similar to the previous embodiments, the inner stop portion 392 contacts a plow 388 (FIG. 13) of the zipper 320 to prevent the zipper from sliding of the end of the zipper profile 330. In another way, the outer stop portion 294 of the end stops 350, 352 contacts respective end portions or shoulders 396, 398 of the zipper 320 (FIG. 13) to prevent the zipper from sliding of the end of the zipper profile 330.
Referring now to FIG. 8, one method of manufacturing the disclosed end stop embodiments of the zipper profile arrangement 10 is illustrated. During manufacture, a continuous length or web 90 of reclosable zipper profile is provided, which is subsequently cut to a number of desired lengths.
The method of manufacturing includes opening the zipper profile (e.g. 30) with a spreader system 70 that moves along the web 90 in a direction (shown by arrow C). The illustrated spreader system 70 includes a profile block 72 that spreads apart the first and second ears 44, 48 of the first and second zipper profiles 22, 24. As the spreader system 70 move along the web 90, the volumes of adhesive 56, 58 are applied or deposited between the spread ears 44, 48 of the zipper profile 30 at predefined locations 100. The adhesive can be applied by use of a nozzle 80, for example. Once the volume of adhesive is applied, the ears 44, 48 of the zipper profile 30 are released and re-closed to contact the adhesive. Releasing and re-closing the ears 44, 48 squeezes the volume of adhesive so that the adhesive spreads within the space provided between the ears. In arrangements having apertures, the volume of adhesive is squeezed to flow into and/or through the apertures 60. The adhesive is then permitted to cure and bond to the ears 44, 48 and to the apertures 60 formed in the ears. The cured volumes of adhesive define the end stops 50, 52.
Referring now to FIG. 9, another method of manufacturing the end stops includes treating or applying a treatment 82 to opposing inner surfaces 74, 78 of the first and second ears 44, 48. The treatment of the inner surfaces 74, 78 can be performed only at the predefined locations 100, or along the entire length of the web 90. As shown in FIG. 10, one treatment 82 that can be used involves roughening or pitting 84 the inner surfaces 74, 78 of the zipper profile 30. Roughening or pitting 84 the inner surfaces increases the surface area to which the adhesive can bond; thereby enhancing the strength of the bond between the zipper profile 30 and the adhesive 56, 58. In one method, the roughening or pitting 84 can be created by a Corona Treater machine, for example.
In yet another method, the opposing inner surfaces 74, 78 of the first and second ears 44, 48 are knurled or roughened 86, as shown in FIG. 11. Knurling the inner surfaces also increases the surface area to which the adhesive can bond; thereby enhancing the strength of the bond between the zipper profile 30 and the adhesive 56, 58. As can be understood, enhancing the bond by pitting or knurling the inner surfaces 72, 74 can be applied to a zipper profile 30 with or with holes 60 formed in the ears 44, 48 (see FIGS. 10 and 11).
And, in still another embodiment, the volumes of adhesive 56, 58 applied between the ears can include adhesive with reinforcing fibers. The reinforcing fibers function to increase the structural integrity and cohesive strength of the adhesive. The reinforcing fibers can include, carbon fiber chains, for example.
As can be understood, each of the methods of manufacture previously described can be similarly applied to the manufacture of each of the embodiments disclosed herein.
Referring back to FIG. 2, in use, the slider 20 moves along the zipper profile in either of the first direction A to close the package 12, or the second opposite direction B to open the package 12. When either opening or closing the package, the slider 20 moves or slides along the zipper profile 30 until the slider 20 abuts or contacts one of the end stops 50, 52. The end stops 50, 52 of the zipper profile arrangement 10 are constructed to reliably prevent separation the slider 20 from the reclosable zipper profile 30 to ensure repeated functional use of the package.
The disclosed zipper profile arrangement 10 can be used on a variety of packaging configurations, and used for sealing packages containing a variety of materials or goods. In one preferred embodiment, the disclosed zipper profile arrangement 10 is used on the packaging of bulk dry goods, such as pet food, for example. Referring to FIG. 15, one example bag 110 having a closure arrangement 112 that incorporates the disclosed zipper profile arrangement 10 is shown. The bag 110 includes an outer package material 114 that defines an opening or mouth 126. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer package material 114 includes a paper material. The outer paper package material can include multiple plies of papers, or be of a single ply of paper material, depending upon the product or goods contained within the bag 110.
The outer package material 114 and the zipper profile arrangement 10 are joined by gluing or adhering the package film 14 of the package 12 shown in FIG. 1 to an inside 128 (FIG. 16) of the outer package material 114. In some embodiments, only a portion of the package film 14 is provided and adhered to the outer package material 114; in other embodiments, the entire surrounding wall 16 (FIG. 1) of the package film 14 can be adhered to the outer package material 114. In one embodiment, the package film 14 includes an inner polyethylene layer or film, for example. The inner polyethylene layer can be used in bags containing products for which it is desirable to retain moisture within the bag 110 or prevent moisture from entering the bag.
The package film 14 or portion of package film of the package 12 is secured to the inside 128 (FIG. 16) of the outer package material 114 along and adjacent to a top edge 116 of the outer package material 114. In particular, the package film 14 is secured to the outer package material 114 such that the zipper profile arrangement 10 is located at the mouth 126 of the outer package material 114.
The outer package material 114 includes a first side 118 and a second side 120. As shown in FIG. 15, in the illustrated embodiment, the zipper profile arrangement 10 extends above the top edge 116 of the outer package material 114 at the first side 118 of the outer package material. At the second opposite side 120 of the outer package material 114, a flap portion 122 extends above the zipper profile arrangement 10. The flap portion 122 is used to enclose the zipper profile arrangement 10 so that the zipper profile arrangement 10 is not inadvertently opened prior to use.
In particular, as shown in FIG. 16, the flap portion 122 and the reclosable zipper profile 30 of the zipper profile arrangement 10 fold over so that the flap portion 122 covers the folded, reclosable zipper profile 30. The extended flap portion 122 of the second side 120 of the outer package material 114 is secured to the first side 118 of the outer package material 114 in the folded orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, a release ribbon or strip 124 (see also FIG. 15) is provided adjacent to the reclosable zipper profile 30. The release ribbon 124 is glued or adhered to the inside 128 of the flap portion 122 of the bag 110 adjacent to the reclosable zipper profile 30. When the release ribbon 124 is pulled, the ribbon cuts through the flap portion 122 to provide access to the zipper 20 of the reclosable zipper profile 30.
To manufacture the bag 110 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a continuous length or web 90 (FIG. 8) of reclosable zipper profile is provided. Each of the slider 20 and the end stops (e.g. 52, FIG. 16) is attached and applied to the reclosable zipper profile 30, as previously described. The web 90 of reclosable zipper profile is then cut into discrete zipper profile elements (e.g. 30) having a length. The element is glued or adhered to the inside 128 of the outer package material 114. The zipper profile element (e.g. 30) and the flap portion 122 are folded in a U-shaped configuration; and the flap portion 122 is glued or adhered to the outer package material 114.
The above described paper bag 110 and closure arrangement 112 is easier and more convenient to use in comparison to conventional closure arrangements used on paper bags. Typical paper bag closure arrangements include string sewn closures and metal zippers. Conventional paper bags having string sewn closures are often difficult to initially open and do not permit reclosure. The disclosed arrangement 10 provides an easy to use and reclosable closure arrangement that eliminates the problems associated with string sewn closures.
The disclosed paper bag 110 is also more convenient to use and reliable than conventional paper bags having metal zippers. Metal zippers have teeth that interlock and engage one another to close or seal a bag. The teeth of the metal zipper of such bags often become clogged or fouled with the bulk product contained within the bag, rendering the metal zipper inoperable. The zipper profile arrangement 10 of the present disclosure provides a toothless zipper profile arrangement, that is, an arrangement that does not have interlocking or engaging teeth. The toothless zipper profiles of the disclosed arrangement 10 provide an easy to use, reliable reclosing closure arrangement that eliminates the problems associated with metal zipper closures.
The above specification provides a complete description of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, certain aspects of the invention reside in the claims hereinafter appended.
Patent Application
20070098305
