Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PAPER AND PLASTIC BAGS FLEXIBLE PACKAGES AND
OTHER CONTAINERS WITH RE-CLOSABLE DEVICE AND
METHOD OF MAHING THE SAME
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains generally to easy-open and resealable closures for
bags, flexible packages and other containers and specifically to easy-open
and/or
resealable closure mechanisms oriented longitudinally with the height of the
bag,
flexible package or containers along with the processes for producing (and
filling)
closures and packages with closures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Present technology for easy-open resealable closures is focused primarily
across the top of the bag or flexible package. Applicant claims benefit of the
filing
date of applicant's co-pending provisional application, Application No,
60/340,581
filed December 14, 2001. The transverse positioning of the closure in the same
opening of the package that is used to fill the package creates numerous
limitations
and problems. For example, providing a transverse closure device at the top of
the
package requires additional headspace in the top of the package that increases
package costs and package size. This additional headspace requirement also
increases
shipping volume. Further, problems of efficient utilization of material
handling
methods of distribution ranging from pallet loading to shelf presentation are
encountered with packages having large headspace typically ranging from
packages
of less than 1 kg. up to packages of 25 kg.
In conventional technology, access to the contents of a package is from the
top
of the package or bag. Access to the bag contents in this manner requires a
consumer
to reach further into the package as the contents are removed, thus making the
retrieval of the contents more difficult as the package is emptied over time.
In the present invention a resealable closure device for packages is provided
and is arranged longitudinally of the package. Certain prior art devices have
attempted to provide vertically oriented (longitudinally arranged) openings or
pouring
spouts. For example, U.S. Patent 6,206,571 and Pat. Pub. No .US 2001/0010737
to
Olin, Figs 18 and 19, discloses a vertically or longitudinally arranged re-
closable
opening in a bag but this re-closable access opening extends across the
transverse seal
at the upper edge. In order to provide a sealed package, Olin must seal across
the
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closure device which typically crushes the re-closable feature and increases
the
likelihood of channel leakers. Channel leakers compromises the sealed interior
of the
package and results in rejected packages. Olin is directed to disclosure of
making
plastic cereal box liners or bags only on a form fill seal machine and is not
intended
for heavier bags or shipping sacks. Further, Olin is concerned only with
pouring
contents from the bag and is not concerned with scooping.
U.S. Patent 6,177,172 to Yeager discloses a package and process of making
the bag in which a zipper is pre-applied to film and preferably positioned
transversely
to the film's longitudinal formation axis. The closure is described as
transversely
oriented. The methods disclosed have particular utility in producing a bacon
package
but the access opening and closure device are located in one plane (single
panel) and
extends transversely of the package. Access openings located in a single plane
are
difficult to open.
U.S. Patent 6,327,837 to Van Erden discloses method of pre-applying slide
zipper assemblies to film in both transverse and longitudinal orientation. The
method
produces a tube bag or package having a transverse seal along the top of the
package.
Van Erden discloses that the zipper closure forms the top of the bag.
U.S. Patents 6,416,221 and 6,213,641 to Price disclose a stand-up pouch with
top and bottom gussets with a closure located at the top of the bag. It is
emphasized
in the Price patents that this location of the opening for closure (the same
opening
through which the bag is filled) aids in the filling of the bag. Applicant
believes the
Price package creates a likelihood of channel leakers.
Applicant's novel bags or packages also include a uniquely located tamper
evident element. U.S. Patent Application Pub. U.S. 2002/0094137 to Schneider
discloses a package having a tamper evident element. However, the Schneider
publication is directed to a slider type closure for a transversely extending
opening for
plastic bags.
U.S. Patents 6,317,939 and 6,183,134 to Malin disclose bags having high
internal force resistant peel sealable zippers. However, the access opening
for these
bags closed by the resistant peel sealable zippers are the same openings
through
which the bags are filled.
The present invention overcomes these problems listed above and provides
many additional advantages over conventional packages.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to provide novel package having a resealable
closure and process for making such packages.
A more specific object of this invention is to provide novel package having a
S longitudinally (vertically) oriented access opening and a sealable closure
which
reduces headspace in the top of the package thereby decreasing package cost
and
package size. By reducing headspace in these novel packages with resealable
closures a potentially tightly filled package that utilizes less packaging
material may
be realized while providing re-close feature that is both pourable and
scoopable. This
advantage produces the benefit of a better presentation of the package to the
consumer
and more efficient utilization of material handling methods of distribution
ranging
from pallet loading to shelf presentation for packages typically ranging from
less than
1 kg up to 25 kg. The access opening and closure may be located longitudinally
anywhere on the package.
Another object of this invention is to provide a resealable closure for
gusseted
flexible packages and method of making the same wherein a tamper evident
feature
may be incorporated in such packages typically ranging in size from 1 kg to 25
kg.
An internal tamper evident feature incorporated in such packages is designed
to
withstand the internal forces generated against the closure when utilized on
larger
weight flexible packages. It is believed that this method is superior to the
existing
technology for easy open re-close systems and associated tamper evident
systems for
heavier weight flexible packages. This tamper evident feature also increases
the
resistance of a filled package panels to bursting (shear) when the package is
inadvertently dropped.
Another object of the invention is to provide a easy-open re-close feature and
a tamper evident feature that is positioned such that package is not filled
through the
same access opening that includes the re-close and tamper evident features.
This is
superior to conventional methods that generally fill through the same opening
that the
re-close and tamper evident are located. It provides the ability to tightly
fill the
package and use less packaging materials which reduces the headspace
requirements
for sealing the package. It also enables the re-close and tamper evident to be
produced with the package materials whether pre-made packages or form fill
seal
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films with pre-applied re-close and tamper evident features, both of which
improves
productivity and yield.
Another object of this invention is to provide a re-closable access opening
internal to a corner fin seal of a gusseted plastic bag thereby creating both
a natural
pour spout and a scoopable opening for a consumer. By orienting this
longitudinal
easy-open re-closable access opening so that it curves around the natural top
of a bag,
a natural opening is created to access the contents of the package. In one
embodiment, this same longitudinal closure includes a perforated or laser
scored tear
strip that the consumer would tear off to reveal the press-to-close zipper. In
another
embodiment, the perforated or laser scored tear strip is segmented so that the
consumer simply tears off more of the strip to expose a larger and longer
opening to
gain better access to the contents of the package as the contents are removed
over
time. The ability to access the contents through the side of the bag allows
the
consumer the ability to pour or scoop the contents of the package with equal
ease
from a filled package to an almost empty package. This side access is in sharp
contrast to access through the top of conventional bags or packages wherein
the
consumer is required to reach further into the package as the contents are
removed,
thereby making the retrieval of the contents more difficult as the package is
emptied
over time.
Another object of this invention is to provide a package or bag having a
longitudinally extending easy-open re-closable access opening spaced below the
top
of bag opening through which the bag is filled thereby enabling the top end of
the bag
to be sealed without having to seal through the easy-open re-closable feature.
Therefore, there is little, if any, likelihood of channel leakers occurring.
While a package having the easy open re-closable feature and having gussets
which maximize distribution efficiencies (by reducing bag size and improving
package appearance) is a preferred embodiment, the easy open re-closable
feature can
be provided for multi-wall pre-made bags, poly laminate pre-made bags, poly
and
poly laminate "Lincube" bags or co-extruded poly bags. Further, vertical form
fill
seal (VFFS) equipment may be employed to produce poly laminate and co-extruded
poly with or without (four corner fin seal) gusseted packages and non-gusseted
packages, with or without applying the re-closable feature on-line (pre-
applied film
with zip-fin) with the VFFS machine. Moreover, packages of the type disclosed
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herein (longitudinal location of the closure) may be produced on existing
packaging
equipment ranging from pre-made bag equipment to both horizontal and vertical
form
seal machines.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
5 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fin type bag (zip-fin bag) having the easy
open re-closable device;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional pallet loaded with the type of
bag disclosed in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a cross-section of view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and looking
in
the direction of the arrows;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a modified form of a bag as illustrated in
dotted line configuration, the full line configuration depicting another
modified form
of the bag and closure taken along the same cutting plane;
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the modifications of Fig. 4
showing
the initial step in opening the closure;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating the
modifications
of Fig. 4 and showing the closure in the fully open position;
Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment of the bag of Fig.
1 illustrating the segmented tear away strip cover for the re-closable device
allowing
incremental opening thereof;
Fig.8 is a partially exploded fragmentary perspective similar to Fig. 7
illustrating the segmented tear away strip of the re-closable device partially
torn away
to expose a portion of the re-closable device.
Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective of the embodiment of Fig. 1 and similar to
Fig. 7 illustrating the segmented tear away strip removed and the re-closable
device
partially opened;
Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 10
illustrating the segmented tear away strip for the re-closable device
partially torn
away;
Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 10
illustrating the segmented tear away strip for the re-closable device
partially torn
away;
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Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a filled bag incorporating
the re-closable device illustrating the bag rotated 90° from its normal
orientation for
the purpose of stacking and shelf presentation;
Fig. 13 is an elevational view diagrammatically showing the shelf presentation
and stacking of the bags of Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a tube bag illustrated in dotted line
configuration showing an embodiment of a novel closure device in partially
opened
position.
Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 14 and
looking
in the direction of the arrows.
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a "Lincube" bag having a novel closure
device;
Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the bag of Fig. 16 showing details of
construction of bag in an unfilled or empty condition;
Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 of Fig. 16 and
looking
in the direction of the arrows;
Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 19-19 Fig. 16 and looking
in
the direction of the arrows;
Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20-20 of Fig. 16 and
looking
in the direction of the arrows;
Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a multi-layer paper bag having an uniquely
located closure device;
Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22-22 and looking in the
direction of the arrows;
Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 22 but illustrating a
modification of the attachment of the closure device for a multi-layer paper
bag;
Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional similar to Fig. 22 illustrating another
modification
in the mounting of the closure device;
Fig. 25 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a bag having
closure device partially open for accessing the contents of the bag;
Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the bag of Fig. 1 with the
closure device partially open illustrating the use of a scoop to remove
contents
thereof;
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Fig. 27 is a diagrammatic elevational view of an apparatus for forming a multi
layer paper material and applying an easy open closure thereto as a
preliminary
process in forming a paper bag;
Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional taken approximately along line 28-28 and looking
in the direction of the arrows;
Fig. 29 is an end elevational view of a single ribbon closure strip;
Fig. 30 is a diagrammatic perspective view of apparatus illustrating the
process of forming a fin type plastic bag and applying an easy open closure
thereto.
Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 31-31 of Fig. 30 and
looking
in the direction of the arrows;
Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 32-32 of Fig. 30 and
looking
in the direction of the arrows;
Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33-33 of Fig. 30 and
looking
in the direction of the arrows;
Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional of the film sheet showing the configuration of
the
film sheet as the fins are being formed and illustrating a closure device
inserted into a
fin;
Fig. 35 is a diagrammatic elevational view with parts thereof broken away
illustrating the formation of a fin;
Fig. 36 is a diagrammatic elevational view with parts thereof broken away and
illustrating the formation of a fm sealed at its tip;
Fig. 37 is a diagrammatic elevational view with parts thereof broken away and
illustrating the sealing of a non-zip-fm in the upper illustration, while the
lower
illustration shows sealing the tamper evident peal seal and the tip of the zip-
fin.
Fig. 38 is a diagrammatic elevational view with parts thereof broken away and
illustrating sealing the tip of the zip-fin without crushing the zipper.
Fig. 39 is a diagrammatic elevational view with parts thereof broken away and
illustrating applying the tamper evident integrity strip.
Fig. 40 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view with parts thereof broken away
and illustrating the guiding of the zip-fin film on a vertical form fill seal
forming tube.
Fig. 41 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view with parts thereof broken away
and illustrating the forming guides for the zip-fm film in relation to the
forming tube
of a vertical form fill seal forming tube.
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Fig. 42 is a diagrammatic elevational view with parts thereof broken away and
illustrating the roll to roll application of the zip-fin.
Fig. 43 is a diagrammatic elevational view with parts thereof broken away and
illustrating the roll to fan folded application of the zip-fin.
Fig. 44 shows a roll of film with non-folded fins being passed through a zip-
fin application device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1 it will be seen
that a filled bag 10 incorporating an easy open re-closable device 20 is there
shown.
The bag 10 is fin type bag formed from flat stock, usually a poly laminate
film or co-
extrude poly film, and includes opposed side panels 11, opposed end panels 12,
a
sealed upper end 13 and a sealed lower end 14. This particular embodiment of
the
bag 10 has gussets 15 in the opposed ends. The filled bag 10 also has a flat
top 13a
and a flat bottom 14a.
Referring now to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the bag 10 includes four fins
which
are located at the corners of the bag. Three of the fins 16 are folded over
and sealed
during the formation of the bag while the remaining fin 17 forms a sealed seam
fin.
In this embodiment, the elongate access opening 17a is formed in the seam fin
17 and
extends longitudinally of the bag in vertical orientation. The access opening
is closed
by an easy open re-closable device 20. It is important to note that the re-
closable
device for closing the access opening is spaced from the sealed top and bottom
ends
of the bag.
It is pointed out that the bag 10 has a vertical dimension, a transverse
dimension (width of a side panel), and a width dimension (width of an end
panel).
The longitudinal dimension of the bag as used herein is the vertical dimension
of the
bag in its normal presentation. It is pointed out that Fig. 4-6 have been used
to show
two modifications of the bag and closure device. The phantom line
configuration
corresponds to one modification and the full line configuration corresponds to
another
modification of the bag of Fig. 1. The essential difference is the size of the
fin and the
inclusion of the closure device in a corner fin 16 rather than the seam fin 17
of Fig. 1.
The features of the fin will remain substantially the same (other than size).
The protruding zip-fin structure of Fig. 1 could be produced by slitting the
corner fin 16 at the corner and mounting the single ribbon zipper or slider so
as to
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protrude out from the edge of the corner fin seal 16 or from the corner seam
fin 17 or
from a seam fin not located at a corner of the package but rather adjacent to
a corner
of the package or a back seam fin.
The re-closable device 20, as best seen in Fig. 4-6, is located in a corner
fin 16
and includes press to closure device type closure 23 secured to the inner
surfaces of
the lips 21 of flanges of the fin. It is pointed out that slider type closure
will work
equally as well as the press to close closure device. The particular closure
shown is a
single ribbon closure although other types of closure device may also be used.
The
lips 21 are slightly enlarged as at 22 for the extent of the access opening.
The press to
close device closure 20 includes a single ribbon or strip including a portion
24 having
a male closure element 25 and a strip portion 26 having a female closure
element 27
thereon. The strip portions 24, 26 are secured to the inner surface of the
lips or
flanges 22 and extend throughout the length of the access opening. Since the
bag of
Fig. 1-6 use a zipper or press to close closure device, closure, these bags
will be
referred to as zip-fin bags. Zip-fin bags may also use a slider type closure
device as
well as other type of zippers.
This particular closure device 20 is preferably attached (sealed) to the film
forming the fin prior to folding the fin during formation of the bag. The
closure
device 20 is a press to close type and is opened by forcibly pulling the
strips apart.
The outer arcuate portion 28 of the fin is longitudinally (vertically) scored
as at 29 on
both sides of the closure to permit this arcuate portion 28 of the fin to be
torn away to
access the closure. This tear away portion or strip 28 is also transversely
scored at
longitudinal spaced locations 30. These transverse score lines 30 enable a
user to tear
off portions of the strip 28 to permit incremental opening of the access
openings as
the contents of the bag are progressively removed.
The arcuate outer end portion 31 of the single ribbon closure device joining
the strip portion 24, 26 is sealed to the inner surface of the tear away strip
28. The
strip portions 24, 26 are also scored longitudinally and transversely of the
fin at 32.
When the segmented tear away strip 28 is torn away, the arcuate outer end
portion 31
of the closure is also torn away thereby exposing the closure. It is pointed
out that a
dual ribbon closure may be used in lieu of the single ribbon closure device
and would
not require scoring and attachment to 28. With a dual ribbon closure the tear
off
section 32 would not exist, as a result when tear off strip 28 is remove the
flanges of
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the dual ribbon zipper will be exposed allowing the consumer access to the
contents
of the package by pulling apart the zipper flanges.
The bag shown in the both embodiments of Fig. 4-6 has a fin 22 extending
outwardly of the associated side panel and end panel. When the tear away strip
28
5 and zipper cover 31 are removed, the outwardly projecting strip portions 24,
26
provide convenient pouring spout which may be controlled manually by pulling
up on
the top of the bag when the bag is tilted to pour. When the top is pulled
upwardly, the
access opening becomes a slit. Relaxing this upward pull enlarges the access
opening. The user may control the size of the access opening using this
technique.
10 Pulling upwardly the top of a tilted bag produces a pinch valve on the
access opening.
The zip-fm bag 10 is also provided with a tamper evident element 33 which is
secured to the inner surface of the bag. The tamper evident element or strip
33 extend
longitudinally the length of the access opening. In the embodiment shown, one
side
of the strip 33 is hard-welded to the inner surface of the bag while other
side is
yieldably attached to the inner surface by the tamper evident sealant. When
the bag is
opened and pressure is applied to the tamper evident strip 33, the strip 33
will tear
away from one side (Fig. 6), thereby exposing the bag interior and contents to
a
consumer.
The presence of a tamper evident strip 33 informs a consumer that the bag has
not been tampered with. Further, the tamper evident strip 33 also increases
the
resistance of the bag to burst when inadvertently dropped from a predetermined
height. In the conventional drop test, the tamper evident strip 33 resists the
shear
force produced by dropping and adds to the integrity of a bag. Thus the
shipping
strength of the bag is increased in the area of the access opening. It is also
pointed out
that the external tear away strip for the closure device also serves as a
tamper evident
element. Referring to Fig. 5, an alternative to the temper evident strip 33 is
there
shown. The peel seal 33a could be used instead of a tamper evident strip
especially
on small packages.
It will be noted that the access opening and re-closable device 20 is not only
located longitudinally (vertically) of the bag, but in a preferred embodiment
it is also
located between intersecting planes. However, the access opening and re-
closable
device may also be located at any longitudinal position on the bag and is not
limited
to a corner. In the embodiment of Fig. 1-6, the easy open re-closable device
20
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11
located at the junction corner of an end panel 12 and a side panel 11. The re-
closable
device also extends to the natural top 13a of the bag. When the bag is filled,
the
associated end panel 12 and side panel are under tension. Similarly, the
radius
defined by the upper curved end of the re-closable device causes the adjacent
portions
S of the bag to be under tension. When the re-closable device is unzipped or
opened,
the access opening is caused to naturally open due to this tension. This
opening
response due to tension cannot occur when the access opening is located in a
single
plane which typifies the prior art. It is pointed out that the embodiment of
Fig. 1 is
also provided with a tamper evident element.
By spacing the ends of the re-closable device from the sealed ends 13, 14 of
the bag, the problem of channel leakers is avoided in plastic poly bags. It
will be
appreciated that if the re-closable device 20 extended to the end seals) 13,
14 of the
bag, the transverse end seals) would extend across and crush the ends) of the
re-
closable device. Because of the added thickness of the re-closable device 20
when
sealing across this added thickness, channel leakers can be produced and the
interior
of the bag is then compromised. Communication of the interior of a bag with
the
exterior through a channel leaker can lead to contamination of certain
products within
the bag. Channel leakers are avoided when the longitudinally oriented re-
closable
device is spaced from the ends of the bag.
It will be seen that the closure device 23 may be positioned within the seam
fin 17 in the embodiment of Fig. 1 or the closure device could be used with
any of the
fins 16 of the zip-fin bag 10. Further, various kinds of closure devices may
be used in
lieu of the squeeze to close zipper shown in Fig. 1-6. For example, the
closure device
could be a Velcro (hook and loop) device. In this arrangement, the zip-fin
would be
provided with a tear away strip and a tamper evident strip in the manner of
Figs. 1-6.
The hook and loop fasteners would be externally of the fin flanges but
inwardly of the
tear strip. To re-close the access opening, the consumer would roll the fin
flanges
inwardly to mate the hook and loop fasteners. It is also pointed out that the
closure
device may be located in seams other than corner seams. In certain plastic or
poly
bags, there is a back seam located between the ends of a panel. The closure
device
could be located in such a seam or other seams of the bag such as a seam fin
near or
adjacent one of the corner fins.
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A tape re-close closure could also be used which would use perforated or laser
scored tear strip in the manner of Fig. 1-6 and a tamper evident strip. The
tamper
evident strip would be permanently welded along vertical weld and attached
with a
tamper evident sealant (Fig. 1-6) along the other vertical edge. The tamper
evident
strip would be forcibly opened and pulled through the access opening. One
surface of
tamper evident strip would be provided with peel seal adhesive which would be
removed to permit the tamper evident strip to function as a closure.
A slider type closure could also be used (See Fig. 25). Sliding the tab in
opposite directions would selectively open or close the access opening.
Further, the
closure could be omitted from the zip-fm bag and access to the interior of the
bag
could simply involve removal of the perforated or laser scored tear strip. A
tamper
evident element peel-seal and the tamper evident internal tear strip for
heavier
packages could be provided for additional protection and the securing of the
package's integrity. It is also pointed out that the closure device may be
used on non-
fin bags. For example, a slider type closure or a single or dual ribbon type
closure
could be secured to a bag and project through a longitudinal slit in the bag
or mounted
externally on the outside of the package and over the longitudinal slit.
One of the important advantages of the longitudinal location of the access
opening and easy open closure is the reduction of headspace. The focus of the
prior
art is to locate the closure across the top of the bag (transverse
positioning) in the
same opening in the package or bag that is used to fill the bag. This
transverse seal
including the closure requires additional headspace in the top of the package
that
increases package costs and package size. This additional headspace not only
increases package size but also increases shipping volume. On the other hand,
the
longitudinally positioned closure reduces headspace which yields a potentially
tightly
filled package that utilizes less packaging material. This advantage produces
the
benefit of better presentation of the package to the consumer and more
efficient
utilization of material to shelf presentation for packages typically ranging
from less
than one (1) kilogram up to twenty five (25) kilograms.
In short the longitudinal location of the closure creates the economics to put
the package savings and distribution savings toward the cost of the zip-fin
bag or
other longitudinal access packages and make the features and package
commercially
viable for many products.
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Another advantage of the longitudinal position enables packages to be
produced with a single zipper ribbon since the package is filled through an
opening
other than the access opening provided with the longitudinal re-close. This
eliminates
alignment and stretch problems associated with applying dual ribbon strips.
Instead
of applying two ribbons that need to align correctly for the interlocking
members to
interface, you would only need apply one ribbon that is self aligning for the
interlocking members. The ability to use a single zipper ribbon also creates a
natural
tamper evident feature and potential tear strip. Also, the application of the
tamper
evident that is not in the filing opening provides a different style of tamper
evident
that can also improve the integrity and strength of the package in the area
directly
adjacent to the access opening that the tamper evident strip covering.
Another important advantage of the zip-fin bag or package is the ability of
the
production of bags on existing form fill seal (VFFS) equipment and existing
horizontal form fill seal (HFFS) equipment. The longitudinal location of the
zip-fin
closure allows the use of VFFS machines and HFFS machines to seal the ends of
package without intersecting the zip-fin closure thereby eliminating channel
leakers.
The zip-fin closure and tamper evident element may be pre-applied to the film
which
allows the film producer or converter to supply film with an integrated
closure and
tamper evident feature that can be utilized on existing VFFS and HFFS
machines.
Existing VFFS and HFFS using pre-applied zip-fin film having the potential for
producing easy-open, tamper evident; re-closable packages in the form of tube
bags
with zip-fins, a stand-up pouches with top and bottom gussets including a zip-
fin, and
a four corner edge sealed gusseted bag with a zip-fin. It is also pointed out
a pre-
applied zipper type closure to a film creates a ridge on the film. This ridge
on the film
serves a guide to maintain registration of the film as it drawn through the
VFFS or
HFFS machines.
Refernng now to Fig. 7-9, it will be seen that a modified form of bag is there
shown. The bag or package 40 is similar to the bag 10 of Figs. 1-6 and is a
zip-fin
polymer bag including opposed side panels 41, opposed end panels 42, a sealed
upper
end 43, a sealed lower end 44, end gussets 45, corner fins 46, and a corner
fin 46. The
contents 49 fill the interior 48 of bag forming a natural flat top 43a and a
natural flat
bottom. The easy open re-closable device 50 is mounted in a corner fin 46
although
the closure device could be used with the seam fin. The closure device 50 is
similar
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to that illustrated in Fig. 1-6 and includes male and female elements which
are pressed
to close. The male and female elements are mounted on strip portions of the
single
ribbon closure device 53 and are secured to the lips or flanges of the corner
fin 46. A
dual ribbon or slider closure could also be used in lieu of a single ribbon
closure. The
fin 46 is perforated or laser scored longitudinal along both flanges 54 and
the fin is
also transversely scored at 56.
With this arrangement, the segmented tear away strip of the fin may be
incrementally torn away to reveal a portion of the zipper. It will be noted
that the
strips of the closure device or zipper 53 are also longitudinally and
transversely
scored to permit the arcuate portion or cap 58 of the zipper to be
incrementally torn
away. In this regard the cap 58 of the zipper is attached to the tear away cap
or strip
57 and is incrementally removed therewith. In Fig. 8, the tear away strip 57
and cap
58 are partially removed exposing a portion of the closure device 53 which is
partially
opened allowing access to the contents through the access opening 46a. In Fig.
9, the
tear away strip 57 along with cap 58 are completely removed. The bottom
portion of
the closure device 53 is open while the top portion is closed. This is an
illustration of
accessing the interior of the package to the desired level of the package's
content as
the package is progressively emptied. However, the tear away strip and cap
need not
be segmented thereby allowing the entire tear away strip and cap to be removed
in its
entirety. In the event a dual ribbon is used, the cap does not tear away.
Alternatively,
the fin would not be scored or perforated and zippers of the type described in
U.S.
Patents 5,660,479, 5,613,934, and 5,552,202 would be used to create a self
scoring
tear off strip to reveal the reclosable zipper. Such zipper could be either
dual or single
ribbon.
Refernng now to Fig. 10 and 11, a modification of the package and closure
device is there shown. The package or bag 60 is essentially the same as that
shown in
Fig. 1 and the other embodiments. The bag 60 is a zip-fin bag and is formed of
a poly
laminate or co-extrude poly and includes opposed side panels 61, opposed end
panels
62, a sealed upper end 63 and sealed lower end. The end panels have gussets 65
and
the filled bag has a flat top and bottom.
The bag 60 also has corner fins 66, (folded over and sealed) and a seam fin
67.
The fins 66, 67 are similar to the fins depicted in dotted line configuration
of Figs. 4-6
and the single ribbon press to close closure device 68 positioned within a
corner fin
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66. A slider closure may also be used in place of the press to close closure
device in
this embodiment. The access opening and closure device are oriented
longitudinally
(vertically) of the bag and are spaced from the sealed ends.
The strip portions of the single ribbon closure device 68 are longitudinally
5 laser scored at 69 and transversely scored at 70 to define a tear away strip
or cap 71.
The transverse scoring maybe omitted to allow removal of the entire strip. The
tear
away strip 71 may be incrementally removed as illustrated in Fig. 11 allowing
controlled access to the content of the bag as the bag is emptied. The fins
66, 67 of
the bag shown in Figs. 10 and 11 do not project outwardly of the side and ends
as the
10 fins shown in full line configuration of Figs. 4-6. This minimizes snagging
of fins
with any structure that may be encountered by the bags.
Referring to Figs. 12 and 13 it will be seen that a zip-fm bag generally
similar
to the bags of Figs. 1-11 is illustrated in a presentation position rotated
90° from the
position illustrated in Figs. 1-11. The bag 80 includes side panels 81, end
panels 82,
15 an upper sealed end 83, a lower sealed 84, corner fins 86. Although not
shown, the
bag 80 will have a back seam since this bag is formed with VFFS equiptment.
When
the bag is filled, the bag has a flat top 83a and a flat bottom 84a. A single
ribbon type
closure 88 similar to the closure of Figs. 1-11 is located in a corner fin 86
and is
longitudinally oriented (vertically). The closure 88 closes an access opening
(not
shown) and extend the entire vertical extent of the fm 86. The closure
actually
extends arcuately around the flat top and bottom of the package but terminates
in
spaced relation to the sealed ends.
The bag is rotated 90° for stacking on store shelves 90 as shown in
Fig. 13. It
is pointed out that the package 80 may have printing on the panels which
extend
longitudinally of the panels. For example, the printing may be applied to a
side panel
81 such that one reads the printing from left to right. The reduced headspace
allows
the tightly filled bag 80 to be oriented on this fashion. This type of
presentation and
stacking cannot be effectively done with prior art bags that include a
transverse re-
close, having the large and mostly wasteful headspace needed to allow for
transverse
re-close. It is pointed out that all of the bags of Figs. 1-12 may be provided
with a
tamper evident strip element. It is further pointed out that a peel seal
tamper evident
element may be used instead of the strip. It is further pointed out the bags
of Figs. 1-
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12 may be produced without either of the disclosed tamper evident elements 33
and
33a.
Refernng to Figs. 14 and 15, it will be seen that a tube bag 100 is there
shown
and when filled includes opposed side panel 101, opposed end panels 102, a
sealed
upper 103 and a sealed lower end 104. A seam 105 joins the edges of the film
when
forming the bag. The tube bag 100 also has fins 106 and 107 located in the end
panels and extending longitudinally of the bag. It is also pointed out that
tube bag
100 may alternatively omit fin 106.
The fin 107 has the access opening and single ribbon closure device 108
therein. A dual ribbon closure device can also be used with the tube bag
embodiment.
The flanges or lips 109 of the fin 107 are longitudinally perforated or laser
scored as
at 110 and are transverse laser scored (or perforated) at 111 such that the
arcuate
portion of the fin defines a tear away strip 112. The segmented tear away
strip 112
with the closure device cap (not shown) may be incrementally torn away to
expose the
single ribbon closure device 108. The transverse scores may be omitted to
allow
removal of the entire strip. It is pointed out that the strip portions of the
closure device
having the mating male and female elements secured thereto are secured to the
inner
surfaces of the fin flanges. The bag 100 is also provided with a tamper
evident strip
113 similar to the tamper evident strips of the embodiments of Figs. 1-6. The
bag 100
may also be provided with a tamper evident peel seal instead of the tamper
evident
strip 113. Further, the bag 100 may also be provided without either of the
disclosed
tamper evident elements. It will be seen that the closure device 108 extends
longitudinally of the bag but is spaced from the end seals 103, 104. It is
also pointed
out that arcuate or radius configuration of the end panels 102 containing the
fins are
also under tension when the bag is filled causing the access opening to
naturally open
when the closure 108 is opened. The longitudinal location of the closure
allows the
bag to be made with a reduced headspace and still provide an easy open re-
close
feature with various tamper evident features that also can improve the package
integrity in the area of the access opening.
Referring now to Figs 16-20, it will be seen that a Lincube bag incorporating
a
uniquely located closure is there shown. The Lincube bag is formed of a co-
extruded
poly or poly laminated, and when filled, has four side panels 121 of equal or
similar
size, a flat bottom wall 122, a lower sealed end, an upper sealed end 124 and
an
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17
inclined upper wall 125. The inclined upper wall 125 is actually inclined
upwardly
from each of the side panels thereby generating four upper panels terminating
at the
upper seal 124.
The bag 120 is a fin bag having corner fins 126 at the four corners thereof.
The bag 120 is also provided with a plastic strip secured to the side panels
121 of the
bag and defining a liner 128. As best seen in Figs. 17 and 18, the liner 128
is secured
to the mid portions of the side panels but is not secured to the panels
adjacent the
corners of the bag. Therefore vertical volumetric spaces 129 are defined at
the
corners between the bag and the liner. When the bag is filled with a product,
the
volumetric spaces 129 are also filled with the product. The filled corners
then serve
as support columns 129a for the bag as the contents within the liner are
removed
thereby allowing the bag to maintain its structural identity. The bag 120
could be
constructed without fins and a single ribbon or dual ribbon could be mounted
internally or externally of the bag. A slider could also be mounted internally
or
externally of the bag.
It will be noted that the unattached portions of the liner 128 located
adjacent
the corners of the bag are relieved adjacent the upper and lower edges of the
liner at
130a. It will also be noted that one of the corner fins 126 defines an access
opening
and incorporates a closure device therein. The fm 126 containing the closure
device
is longitudinally perforated or laser scored at 131 and transversely scored at
132. The
arcuate outer portion of the fin defines a tear away cap or strip 133 which
may be
incrementally removed to expose the single ribbon closure device 134. The
closure
device 134 includes strip portions secured to the inner surfaces of the fin
flanges. One
strip portion has a male closure element secured thereon and the other strip
portion
has the mating female element secured thereto. A dual ribbon closure could
also be
used with the bag 120, a slider could be used with bag 120 or various other
embodiments described.
The strip portions of single ribbon closure device have an arcuate outer end
135 portion which is longitudinally and transversely laser scored or
perforated to
define a segmented tear away strip secured to the tear away strip 134 of the
fin.
Incremental removal of the tear strips 133, 135 allows access to the easy open
press to
close, closure device 134. As the access opening is incrementally opened by
the easy
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open closure, the contents of the bag may be progressively removed. The
transverse
scores may be omitted to provide a non-segmented strip.
The bag 120 is also provided with a tear away tamper evident strip 136
secured to the inner surface of the bag by a hard weld and a tamper evident
sealant.
This tamper evident strip could alternatively be completely secured to the
inner
surface of the bag by a hard weld and would include a perforated or laser
scored
section in relation to the access opening. To gain access to the contents, the
consumer
would need to burst the tamper evident strip. The tamper evident strip is
disposed in
obstructing relation with respect to the access opening 126a. When the closure
device
134 is opened and the tamper evident element is opened, a consumer will
puncture or
pierce the adjacent unattached portion 130 of the liner 128 thereby providing
access to
the contents of the bag. The unattached portion may be perforated to
facilitate
breaking and accessing the interior.
The longitudinal location of the easy open closure device 134 again allows
substantial reduction of the headspace while providing a re-close feature and
tamper
evident. It will be noted that closure device is spaced from the sealed ends
thereby
avoiding channel leakers. The location of the closure device in an arcuate
column
portion of the bag creates the natural open response as a result of the
tension in this
arcuate portion. Thus the location of the closure devices provides the bag 120
with all
of the advantages of the previous embodiments.
Referring now to Figs. 21-24, and more particularly to Fig. 21, a mufti layer
paper bag 150 is there shown and is provided with an easy open re-closable
device
151. The paper bag 150 includes opposed side panels 152, opposed end panels
153, a
sealed upper end, and a sealed lower end 155. The end panels 153 are provided
with
gussets 156 and the bag, when filled, has a substantially flat top 157 and a
substantially flat bottom 158. The filled bag 150 is generally of
parallelepiped
configuration and has four longitudinal corners 159. Although the bag 150 is a
stand
up bag, other kinds of bags may also be used including non-gusseted tube bags.
In the embodiment shown, the easy open closure device 1 S 1 is longitudinally
oriented at one of the corners 159. It is pointed out that the closure device
may be
positioned a small distance ('/4 inch or 1 inch) on either side of the corner
rather than
at the corner. However, the closure device may be diagonally oriented or it
may be
transversely oriented. The longitudinal orientation of the closure device 151
is
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19
retained in the preferred embodiment if closure device 151 is located slightly
laterally
from the corner. However, the closure mechanism may also be located
longitudinally
on the package in other locations besides the preferred embodiment. Refernng
now to
Fig. 22, it will be seen that the closure device 151 is an easy open single
ribbon
closure device and includes a strip portion 160 having a male element 161
thereon and
a strip portion 162 having a female element 163 thereon. The single ribbon
closure
device also includes an arcuate portion 164 having longitudinal perforations
or laser
score lines 165 extending the length of the closure device. Perforations may
also be
used instead of scoring. The arcuate portion is also transversely perforated
or laser
scored at longitudinally spaced location 166. Thus the perforated or laser
scored
arcuate portion 164 functions as a segmented tear away strip which may be
incrementally removed. This arcuate portion also functions as a tamper evident
element. It is not required to segment the tear strip, but instead tear the
entire strip
free of the closure to expose the entire access opening.
It will be noted that the apex of bag corner 159 is notched or cutaway at 166
as
best seen in Fig. 22. It will also be noted that embodiment of the bag 150 has
three
layers including an outer layer 167, and intermediate layer 168 and an inner
layer 169.
It is pointed out that the bag 150 may have two or more paper layers or a
combination
of paper and poly. The strips 160, 162 of the zipper are positioned
respectively
between the outer layer 167 and the intermediate layer 168. The notch for the
closure
device removes the apices of all three layers. The closure device 151 projects
exteriorly of the bag 150. The bag 150 is also provided with a tamper evident
strip
170 which is secured to the inner layer 169. The tamper evident strip is
firmly glued
or otherwise attached at one side but is attached with tamper evident sealant
at the
other side permitting the strip to be torn away when the bag is opened. The
tamper
evident element may perforated or include a tear strip to facilitate tearing
to gain
access to the contents. It is important to note that a tamper evident strip
170 could be
located between inner layer 169 and layer 168 and be secured to either one or
both
and tamper evident strip 170 could be perforated or include tear strip to
facilitate
access the contents.
Referring now to Fig. 23, it will be seen that a different embodiment for the
attachment of the closure device 151 is there shown. The strip portion 160,
162 of the
single ribbon closure device 151 are attached to the outer surface of the
outer layer
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167 thereby positioning the closure externally of the bag. The corner of the
bag is slit
longitudinally to define the access opening. The closure device 151 is
identical to that
of the embodiment of Figs. 21-22. It is important to note that a slider or
dual ribbon
zipper could be utilized as the closure device 151 there shown.
5 Referring now to Fig. 24, it will be seen that another modification of the
access opening is there shown. The closure device is identical to that shown
in Fig.
22 and includes strip portions 160, 162, male and female closure elements 161,
163,
and an arcuate portion 164 longitudinally and transversely scored. However, it
will
be seen that the outer layer 167 is notched while the intermediate layer 168
and inner
10 layer 169 are longitudinally perforated at 171. Access to the interior of
the bag and
contents therein is obtained when the closure device is opened and the
perforated
apices are broken in the conventional manner. The strips 160, 162 are
positioned
between outer layer 167 and the intermediate layer 168. By perforating the
intermediate and inner layers rather than notching these layers as in Fig. 22,
the
15 perforated intermediate and inner layers function as a tamper evident
element.
It will be noted that a slider closure device and a dual ribbon zipper strip
could
be utilized on bag 150.
It will be noted that a tamper evident strip or strips could be added to the
package between the layers to add additional strength. The tamper evident
strip
20 would be perforated to permit the strip to be broken or punctured by the
consumer to
gain access to the contents of the package. The tamper evident strip could
also
include a tear strip which would allow the consumer to first open the zipper
and then
pull the internal tear strip from the tamper evident strip thus allowing
access to the
contents of the package.
It will be noted that a internal tear strip could be applied that would allow
the
consumer to first open the zipper and then pull the internal tear strip which
would tear
and strip from the internal layer thus allowing access to the contents of the
package.
This strip may be constructed of plastic, paper or string.
It is pointed out that the location of the closure device in the paper bag 150
imparts the same advantages including the elimination of channel leakers and
the
reduction of headspace as the advantages of the plastic bags. The bag
disclosed in
Figs. 21-24 is ideally suited as pet food container since pet food producers
and
distributors have desired to have a package with a closure device. The
location of the
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closure device for mufti layer paper bags used as a pet food container enables
consumers to scoop the contents from the container as well as pour the
contents there
from.
Referring now to Fig. 25, a different embodiment of bag 180 is there shown.
The bag 180 is formed of a co-extruded poly or poly laminated, and includes
opposed
side panels 181, opposed end-panels 182, gussets 183 in the end panels, a
sealed
upper end 184 and a sealed lower end 185. The bag 180, when filled, has a
substantially flat top 186, a flat bottom 187 and four longitudinal corners
188. In the
embodiment shown, a longitudinally oriented access opening 188 is formed in
one of
the corners and is closed by an easy open slider closure device 189. The
slider device
is a commercially available closure and includes a male closure strip 190, a
mating
female strip 191 and an actuating tab 192. The male and female strips are
secured to
the adjacent corner portions of the bag and may be positioned either
externally or
internally of the bag. Moving the tab 192 in opposite directions selectively
opens and
closes the access opening in the manner of any conventional zipper. It will be
noted
that the closure device 189 is located at a corner 193 and extends
longitudinally of the
bag but terminates in spaced relation to the sealed ends of the bag. Further,
the
closure device preferred location is at corner 193. It will be noted that the
closure
device could be located at any location longitudinally of the package. While
the use of
an easy open closure device functions well in the fin of a zip-fin bag (Fig. 1-
6), the
closure device and its longitudinal location at the corner of a non-fin bag
works
equally as well. A press to close zipper could also be used in the form of a
single or
duel ribbon closure.
Thus the non-fin plastic bag 180 of Fig. 25 has all of the advantages inherent
in the embodiments of the bag and closure of Figs. 1-6. It is again pointed
out that the
orientation of the closure longitudinally of the bag in the embodiment of Fig.
25
eliminates channel leakers and reduces the headspace required in prior art
conventional bags. The location of closure at the intersection of two planes
as well as
the radius configuration around the top provides the natural opening response
when
the closure is opened. The bag illustrated in Fig. 16-20 as pointed out may
also be
formed without fins.
Referring now to Fig. 26, the removal of the contents of the bag with a scoop
is there shown. The bag depicted in Fig. 26 is the embodiment of the bag shown
in
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Fig. 1. The access opening 17a is illustrated in its naturally open condition
permitting
access and removal of the bag's contents with a scoop. Many of the previously
described embodiments have shown stand-up bags having the longitudinal
orientation
of the access opening and closure device. When the longitudinally oriented
closure is
opened (Fig. 26) in these stand up bags, then a user may remove the bag's
contents
with a scoop, or, alternatively, the contents may be poured from the bag.
The bag disclosed in the embodiments of Figs. 1-26 may be pre-made bags or
may be made on-line with vertical and horizontal form fill seal equipment from
a pre-
applied zip-fin roll or box fan folded. The longitudinal location of the
access opening
and easy open closure allows the producer to seal much closer to the product
since
additional headspace is not required for a transverse type easy-open re-close
device.
This reduction in headspace improves package appearance by creating a tighter
filled
package, which in turn reduces package size then leads to better looking
pallets of
bags since there is reduced overhang and less damage to packages in transit.
The longitudinal location of the closure device allows pre-made bags to be
produced with the easy open re-close device pre applied. This arrangement also
enables the producer to fill the bag conventionally through the top of bag
without
interference with the easy open re-close device. By spacing the easy open re-
close
closure device from the ends of the bag, interference with the sealing of the
ends of
the package are eliminated and thereby reduces the number of bags rejected
because
of channel leakers resulting from interference with the closure device.
The longitudinal location of the closure device and access opening on the
package, internal to a corner fm seal of a gusseted bag creates a natural pour
spout
and a scoopable opening for the consumer. By locating the access opening and
closure device so that it curves around the top of the package, a natural
opening
(access opening) is created when the closure device is opened to allow access
to the
contents of the package.
The closure device may also be provided with segmented or incrementally
laser scored tear strip (to access the closure device) or perforated so that
consumers
may simply tear off more of the tear strip to gain better access to the
contents of the
package as the contents are removed. The package having the uniquely
positioned
closure device is also provided with a tamper evident element internally of
the
package extending the length of the closure device and removable by a consumer
for
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accessing the contents of the package. The tamper evident element would also
serve
to prevent the press of the contents of the bag from forcing open the closure
device
from the inside of the package. The force exerted on the tamper evident strip
is the
force generated by the mass of the content of package acting on the tamper
evident
strip. The tamper evident strip element would use shear forces (stronger) to
hold the
strip in place from the product side and peel type forces (weaker) to remove
the strip
from the consumer side of the bag. To increase the strength of the tamper
evident
strip to protect the integrity of the package from bursting during handling
could be
function of increasing the width of the tamper evident strip to create more
surface area
for the peel sealant to attach. This increased area would require greater
internal forces
to shear the peel seal from the inside of the container. On smaller packages
peel seal
tamper evident sealant elements between the zipper flanges could be used
instead of
the tamper evident integrity strip.
The single ribbon strip closure has the tear away cover strip which also
functions as a tamper evident feature. The zip-fin closure works very well
with
laminate films such as those used in potato chip packages, since the zip-fin
is
mounted internal to the package structure and attached to the side of the film
that is
designed to allow for the sealing of the film onto itself and thus can accept
the
attachment of plastic type closure systems that can include, single and dual
ribbon
zipper closures, and also various slider type closures as well as the high
strength
tamper evident integrity strip. The longitudinal position of the closure with
the pre-
'applied high strength tamper evident integrity strip, creates the opportunity
to produce
a package from high performance laminate films that can pass the drop test for
heavier weights, with an easy open closure.
The longitudinal position of the closure device allows the closure to be a zip-
fin closure. The longitudinal location also permits the single ribbon type
closure to be
used. Other advantages of the longitudinal position of the easy open closure
device is
the use of an tamper evident integrity strip which applied prior to filling,
maintains
package integrity in the closure access opening. The longitudinal position of
the easy
open closure device provides a package with less head space requirements while
being able to provide an easy open closure device. The longitudinal position
of the
closure also enables consumers to scoop or pour the contents from a bag. The
longitudinal position provides the ability to create zip-fm film with pre-
applied
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24
closures that allows the zip-fin film to be run on existing form fill seal
machines and
produce a easy open re-closable package without applying the zippers on-line
at the
filling machine. The longitudinal position also allows the zip-fm film to act
as a
guide to maintain film registration on a form fill seal machine by using the
ridge in
the zip-fin for a guide. The longitudinal position provides the ability to
produce
packages with easy open closures and high strength tamper evident integrity
strips,
that can be hermetically sealed by either applying the integrity strip with
hard welds
on all sides and a tear strip or laser scoring to open, or by applying the
integrity strip
with a hard weld on one side and peel seal welds on the remaining.sides.
Finally, the
longitudinal location eliminates channel leakers and thereby results in less
rejects.
Referring now to Figs. 27-29, it will be seen that an apparatus for carrying
out
the process steps of forming multi layer paper material and applying a closure
device
thereto is diagrammatically illustrated. The apparatus 200 includes a
plurality of
paper rolls providing a source of elongate paper sheets which move in a
predetermined path of travel during the process.
An elongate sheet 202 of paper is continuously unwound from paper roll 201
and is moved in a predetermined path of travel past a guide roll 207. An
elongate
sheet 204 of paper is continuously unwound from a roll 203 and continuously
moved
in a predetermined path of travel. An elongate sheet 206 is continuously
unwound
from a paper roll 205 and is moved in a predetermined path of travel.
It will be noted that during the travel of sheet 202, it is move past a
reciprocating slitter mechanism 208 which makes slits intermittently in the
sheet. The
slits are preferably made at a location on the sheet 202 which will extend
longitudinally of the paper bag 150 shown in Fig. 21. However, the slit may be
oriented in any direction and at any location as long as the slit for the
closure is
spaced from the sealed ends of the formed bag. It will be noted that the
slitter
mechanism 208 is located downstream of guide roller 207.
The sheet 204 is first moved past a reciprocating perforating mechanism 208
which intermittently perforates the sheet 204. Thereafter the sheet 204 is
moved past
an adhesive applicator 210 which applies an adhesive to one surface 204a of
the sheet.
The sheet 206 is first moved past a reciprocating perforating mechanism 211
which intermittently perforates the sheet 206. It is pointed out that the
perforations
made in sheets 204,206 are longitudinally of the sheet. The perforation would
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ultimately correspond to the perforations 171 in the inner and intermediate
layers 169,
168 of Fig. 24. Thereafter the sheet 206 is moved past an adhesive applicator
212
where adhesive is applied to one surface 206a of sheet 206. It will be noted
that the
adhesive applicator is upstream of a guide roller 213.
An elongate sheet of closure material 215 is continuously unwound from a roll
214 of closure material and is moved in a predetermined path of travel.
Referring
now to Fig. 29, it will be seen that the sheet 21 S has a male closure element
216 and a
female closure element 217 on one surface of the sheet. The elongate sheet 215
is
moved past a closure forming mechanism 218 where the sheet 215 is folded and
male
10 and female elements are mated in engaging relations (see Fig. 24). The
corresponding
ends of the folded closure are sealed The tamper evident peel sealant, if
present on
the closure, may be weakly welded together in mating relation (see Fig. 24) in
the
mechanism 218 but may be readily pulled apart.
The sheet 215 is passed from the forming and welding mechanism 218 and
1 S passes over a guide and between a pair of pinch rolls 220 where the folded
closure
material is brought into intimate contact with the adhesive coated surface
204a of
sheet 204 to bond therewith. A cutting means in the mechanism 218
intermittently
cuts and welds or seals the corresponding ends of the folded closure material
into
closure sections 221 bonded to the sheet 204. Downstream of the pinch rolls
220, an
20 adhesive applicator coats that portion of the surface 204a located around
the closure
section 221. Thereafter the sheet 204 is moved past guide roller 223.
It will be noted that the sheets 202, 204 and 206 are disposed in parallel
relation as these sheets move past the respective guide rollers 207, 213 and
223. The
sheets will be progressively moved in converging relation as the sheets move
25 downstream. The sheets will move into contacting relation and bond to each
other to
form the mufti layer material having the closure section 221 secured thereto.
The folded closure will project through the slit 202a in the sheet 200 (see
Fig.
28) and the closure section will be secured between outer and intermediate
layers in
the manner of Fig. 24. The closure will have the perforated or laser scored
tear away
strip (arcuate portion of the closure in Fig. 28) and the flanges of the
closure will be
bonded to the surface 204a of sheet 204.
It is important to note that a tamper evident strip or integrity strip can be
applied similar to the closure material and can be applied to any of the
various layers
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and surfaces (See Fig. 28, 226). This applied tamper evident or integrity
strip
material would be applied from a roll of material and attached by welding or
with
adhesive (See Fig. 27, 224). It is important to note that the tamper evident
strip or
integrity strip can be laser scored or perforated to align with the potential
access
opening. This tamper evident strip or integrity strip can be made of plastic
or paper
material or a laminated paper plastic material. Furthermore it is noted that
this tamper
evident integrity strip may include a tear strip, constructed of plastic,
paper, or string,
to allow the consumer to pull the tear strip to gain access to the contents or
the next
layer of the package.
It is also noted that a tear strip may be applied to any of the various layers
to
allow the consumer to open the zipper and pull the tear strip to gain access
to the
contents of the package. If utilized, this applied tear strip material would
be applied
from a roll of material and attached by welding or with adhesive (See Fig. 27,
225
shown in phantom). This tear strip would be aligned with proposed access
opening of
the bag and would be attached to the surface of the corresponding layer. The
tear
strip material could be in the form of paper, plastic, or string.
It is important to note that a dual ribbon closure or slider closure mechanism
could be applied to the multi-layer package in a similar method to applying
the single
ribbon closure but would have the requirement of applying two independent
ribbons
of material to form the final closure. In the case of the slider, the slide
tab would be
applied down stream from the tuber.
After the sheets 202, 204, and 206 are bonded, the mufti layer paper material
will be directed to an in-line tube machine similar to the machine
manufactured Wind
Moeller and Hoelscher.
Referring now to Fig. 30-39 it will be seen that an apparatus 250 for carrying
out the process for forming a plastic bag having a longitudinally oriented
closure
device. The apparatus includes a roll 251 of plastic film sheet 253 which is
continuously unwound from the roll and moved in a predetermined path of
travel.
The film sheet 25 is provided with oval shaped perforations or laser scores on
the
bottom surface of film sheet. These elongate oval shape scores extend
longitudinally
of film and in the direction of travel.
The oval score areas 255 actually constitute the tear away cover of the
closure
device. A strip or ribbon 257 of closure material is continuously unwound from
a roll
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256 of closure material and moved in predetermined path of travel. In this
path of
travel, the strip 257 is moved through a sealing and cutting mechanism 249.
The strip
257 is moved into contacting relation with the upper surface of the film sheet
252 and
is sealed thereto by a suitable heating element and roller or adhesive. A
cutter means
(not shown) in mechanism 249 cuts the strip 257 to form closure sections 257a
sealed
to the film sheet. Each closure section 257a is sealed to the upper surface
253 of the
film sheet in overlying relation with respect to an oval shaped score area.
The strip 257 of closure material has the male closure element 258 and the
female closure element 259 on one surface thereof. When closure sections 257a
are
bonded to the film sheet 252, the male and female elements project upwardly as
best
seen in Fig. 31.
The film sheet 252 is then moved into contacting relation with the fin forming
means
as best seen in Figs. 32-36. This forming means includes forming plows 270 and
pressure rollers 271 which press the film into formers 271. Fig. 34
illustrates the
configuration of the fin portions 248 before sealing. A closure device 257a is
positioned within one of the fins 248.
The partially formed fins are then engaged by a reciprocating wheel 273 to
shape the fins prior to engagement of the fins 248 by reciprocating rollers
274 which
move the shaped fin against a sealing bar 175 as best in Fig. 35. Fig. 36
illustrates the
formation of a sealed tip fin 248a. The reciprocating wheel 276 cooperates
with the
reciprocating roller 277 and sealing bar to seal only the tip of the fin. The
fins sealed
by the reciprocating wheel 273, roller 274 and sealing bar 275 of Fig. 35 are
sealed
more completely.
Referring now to Fig. 37, the sequence of forming a fin and applying a closure
device thereto is there shown. The upper illustration shows the fin being
shaped
while the lower illustration shows the insertion of the closure device 257a
prior to
sealing the fin 248. The sealing bars 279 are then moved into sealing relation
with the
fin and closure device 257a.
Referring now to Fig. 38, it will be seen that the steps for applying a
closure
device 257a and a peel seal tamper element 280 to a fin are shown. Sealing
bars 281
are moved into contacting relation with the flanges of the fin. The sealing
bars
engage the fin to seal the scored arcuate portion of the fin to the arcuate
portion of the
zipper or closure strip. The arcuate portions of the fin and closure strip are
sealed
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together to form the tear away strip. The tamper seal material is heated
sufficiently to
seal the tamper evident to the fin but with a low weld effect which allows the
tamper
evident to be readily peeled away.
Referring now to Fig. 39, the steps of applying and securing a tamper evident
strip 282 to a bag or film sheet is there shown. The closure device 257a is
applied to a
fin 248 and a tamper evident element 282 is positioned against the flange
portion of
the closure or zipper ribbon secured to the film or formed bag. A
reciprocating
sealing bar 283 is pressed against the film and supporting bars 284 to seal
the tamper
evident strip to the film 252. It is pointed out that the steps described
hereinabove
with respect to Fig. 32-39 will occur as the film sheet is moving in its path
of travel.
Referring again to Fig. 30, the sheet film 252 with the formed fins then
engages a guide roll 260 during movement of the film sheet in its path of
travel. The
film is moved against a forming shoe 261 and formed into a generally
rectangular or
tubular shape. The film sheet 252 is then moved through a zipper or closure
device
guide 262. The pathway or guide way 285 through zipper guide 262 is
illustrated in
Fig. 40. It will be seen that the corner portions project outwardly to
accommodate the
formed fins 248 and closure device or zippers. Fig. 41 illustrates the fin and
closure
in these corner projections with a tamper evident strip 282 applied to the
film sheet.
Fig. 41 indicates that the zipper guide 303 serves to contain the zip-fin as
the film is
drawn through the machine. The zip-fin guide 303 has sufficient length to
contain
enough of the following zip-fin (with included zipper) prior to the leading
zip-fin
(with included zipper) leaving the guide so as to maintain film registration
as the film
is drawn though the machine.
The film sheet continues its movement along the shaping shoe 261 and the
edges of the film sheet are engage vertically disposed sealing bars 265 to
form the
back seam 265 of the bag. Thereafter, the film sheet is engaged by horizontal
sealing
bars which can include devices to tuck the gussets and also potentially apply
mitre
seals to the package and can simultaneously form the sealed upper at one bag
and the
sealed lower end of the adjacent bag. In this regard, the sealing bars have
upper
sealing elements 267 and lower sealing elements 268. The formed bag 269 has
four
corner fins and a closure device 257a in one of the corner fins.
The closure device 257a extends longitudinally of the bag but is spaced from
the sealed upper and lower ends. In some instances the film with the formed
fins and
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closure devices thereon but will be sold as film rolls or from cartons. It is
desirable to
have the fins 248 of the film to have a flattened uniform configuration such
as that
shown in Fig. 43.
The roll 300 of film with non-uniformly arranged fins 248 will be
continuously unwound and passed through a zip-fin application device 301 where
the
fin 248 are folded over into the shape shown in Fig. 43. The rolls or cartons
with the
fins arranged in this manner have better marketing appearance. Fig. 44 shows a
roll
of film with non-folded fins being passed through a zip-fm application device.
The
film with the uniformly folded fms is discharged in fan shaped configuration
into a
carton.
It is important to note that the use of a dual ribbon zipper or a slider type
zipper could be utilized instead of the single ribbon zipper. Furthermore it
is
important to note that a package could be produced without a zipper closure,
but
could still include the easy open features of the zip-fin package and could be
produced
with this process. It is also noted that the tamper evident integrity strip or
a peel seal
sealant applied to the zipper is not required but rather an optional feature
to the
process that would be dependant upon specific package requirements.
