Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
CLOSURE DEVICE FOR A
RECLOSABLE POUCH
REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR
DEVELOPMENT
[0001 ] Not applicable
SEQUENTIAL LISTING
[0002] Not applicable
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to closures for reclosable pouches, and
more
particularly, to such closures that include two closure mechanisms each having
opposing
closure elements.
2. Background Art
[0004] A thermoplastic bag for the storage of items typically includes a
closure
mechanism comprising male and female closure elements or profiles attached to
an inner
surface of a bag wall. In addition, thermoplastic bags are known having one or
more pairs of
ribs on outer surfaces) of the bag wall straddling at least one of the closure
elements to guide
a user's fingers when sealing the closure elements. Ribs have also been used
on an internal
surface of the thermoplastic bag closely spaced and adjacent the closure
elements to assist in
aligning the male and female closure elements when sealing the bag. Bags have
also been
developed that allow air or other gas transport through bag walls.
[0005] Hugues et al., U. S. Patent No. 4,672,723 discloses a stabilized
reclosable
extruded plastic fastener. The fastener comprises a female profile on one wall
of an extruded
film material and a male profile on an opposite wall of the film material.
Alignment ribs are
spaced alongside and integral with a base area of the male profile to
facilitate alignment of
the male profile with the female profile during closing of the fastener.
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-2-
[0006] Fisher, U. S. Patent No. 4,736,496, owned by the assignee of the
present
application, discloses a wide-track integral thermoplastic closure for a
reclosable
thermoplastic container. The closure includes ribs on either side of an
element of the closure
to assist in guiding a user's fingers during closure of the thermoplastic
container.
[0007] Tilman et al., U. S. Patent No. 4,929,487 discloses a thermoplastic bag
having
male and female fastener profiles and at least one alignment rib integral with
the film and
disposed on an outer surface ~of a bag wall opposite and aligned with the male
profile. The
rib functions to stiffen the area of film occupied by the male profile and
facilitate the
alignment of the male and female fastener profiles.
[0008] Porchia et al., U.1S. Patent No. 5,012,561, also owned by the assignee
of the
present application, discloses a closure for reclosable thermoplastic
containers. The closure
comprises male and female closure elements, wherein the male closure element
includes a
male profile member and ribs disposed on either side of the male profile
member and
attached thereto by a base. The ribs are of a sufficient size and proximity to
the male profile
member so as to move together as a unit with the male profile member when the
male and
female closure elements are engaged or disengaged.
[0009] Dais et al., U. S. Patent No. 5,140,727, owned by the assignee of the
present
application, discloses a zipper for.reclosable thermoplastic bags and a
process and apparatus
for making the same. The zipper comprises opposing longitudinally extending
interlockable
rib and groove profiles. The rib profile defines a bulbous head that is
,generally triangularly
shaped in cross-section, a stem, and optionally, one or more ribs adjacent the
stem.
[0010] Tilman, U. S. Patent No. 5,209,574 discloses a reclosable plastic bag
having a
sliderless zipper. The bag includes front and rear walls sealed along three
edges to form a
mouth or opening. Male and female profiles are attached to internal surfaces
of the front and
rear walls, respectively, wherein the male and female profiles are engageable
to close the
opening. Two ribs are provided on an outside surface of the front wall, one on
each side of
the male profile, to define a valley therebetween. Similarly, two additional
ribs are formed
on the outside surface of the rear:wall, one on each side of female profile,
to define a valley
therebetween. The valleys act as finger guides for the user of the bag.
[0011] Scott et al., U. S. Patent No. x,368,394 discloses a reclosable bag
having a
stabilizer wedge zipper. The reclosable bag comprises front and rear walls
sealed along.three
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-3-
edges to form an opening. Male and female profiles are attached to internal
faces of the
walls. Each of the male and female profiles includes two stabilizer wedges
that assist in
transmitting forces to male and female profiles during opening of the bag.
[0012] Porchia et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,492,705, owned by the assignee of the
present
application, discloses a flexible film for storage bags used for packaging
produce, such as
vegetables and fi-uits. The film includes a plurality of holes therein to
allow air transport
through the film so that the produce can breathe at a controlled rate.
[0013] Saad et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,804,265, also owned by the assignee of
the present
application, discloses a multilayer freezer bag having at least an inner liner
bag and an outer
support bag. The inner liner bag and/or the outer support bag may include a
plurality of holes
through sidewalls thereof.
[0014] Dobreski et al, U.S. Patent No. 5,911,508 discloses a vented reclosable
bag having
a first reclosable slider closure and a second tamper evident partition
disposed below the
slider closure, wherein the tamper evident partition is not reclosable.
[0015] Tilman, U.S. Patent No. 6,231,236 discloses a resealable package having
a
venting structure. The package includes first and second reclosable closure
mechanisms
disposed at an end of the package, wherein the first closure mechanism is
disposed between
the second closure mechanism and the end of the package. The venting structure
defines a
gas-flow passageway between an interior of the package and an exterior of the
package when
the first closure mechanism is in a closed configuration and the second
closure mechanism is
in an open configuration.
[0016] Tomic et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,461,042 discloses a first reasealable
slider closure
mechanism and a second resealable closure mechanism disposed below the first
closure
mechanism. Preferably, a slider of the first closure mechanism opens only the
first closure
mechanism but closes the first and second closure mechanisms.
[0017] Healy et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,461,043 discloses aside gusset bag with
a slide
zipper reclosable seal. The bag also includes a tamper evident seal disposed
above the slide
zipper seal and a venting feature disposed below the tamper evident seal.
[0018] Nelson, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0066267 discloses
a
reclosable bag with a closure having extruded male and female interlocking
profiles
extending along opposite sides of an opening of the bag. The closure further
includes an
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-4-
extruded valve flange extending from one side of the closure to engage an
opposing surface
of the closure. One or more vent passages are disposed between the
interlocking profiles and
the valve flange or the female profile is segmented to allow air to escape
from the bag.
[0019] Other thermoplastic bags have been developed having spaced multiple
closure
mechanisms. For example, a bag manufactured by.Thai Griptech Company, Ltd. of
Bangkok, Thailand, includes first and second spaced closure mechanisms
disposed at a top
portion of the bag. Each closure mechanism includes a male closure portion and
a female
closure portion, wherein the male closure portions are disposed on a first bag
wall and the
female closure portions are disposed on a second bag wall opposite the male
closure portions.
The first closure mechanism is disposed approximately 3/8ths inch from the
second closure
mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, a reclosable pouch
includes a
body portion having first and second opposing bag walls, wherein each bag wall
has an
internal side. The pouch further includes first and second closure mechanisms
disposed on
the internal sides of the first and second bag walls, wherein the closure
mechanisms are
parallel to one another and spaced apart between about 0.3 inch (7.62 mm) and
about 0.6 inch
(15.24 mm). The pouch still further includes a venting mechanism.
[0021 ] According to another aspect of the present invention, a reclosable
pouch includes
a body portion having first and second opposing bag walls, wherein each bag
wall has an
internal side. The pouch further includes first and second closure mechanisms
disposed on
the internal sides of the first and second bag walls, wherein the closure
mechanisms are
parallel to one another and a plurality of holes extending through at least
one of the first and
second bag walls between the first and second closure mechanisms.
[0022] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a reclosable
pouch
includes a body portion having first and second opposing bag walls, wherein
each bag wall
has an internal side. The pouch further includes a first reclosable closure
mechanism
disposed on the internal sides of the first and second bag walls,
respectively, wherein the first
closure mechanism includes a slider for opening and closing the first and
second closure
elements. Still further, the pouch includes a second reclosable closure
mechanism disposed
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-5-
on the internal sides of the first and second bag walls, respectively, wherein
the second
closure mechanism is spaced from the first closure mechanism such that the
slider
mechanism of the first closure mechanism does not open or close the second
closure
mechanism.
[0023] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a first embodiment of a reclosable
thermoplastic
storage bag according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken generally
along the lines
2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIGS. 3 and 4 are views similar to FIG. 2 illustrating alternative
closure
mechanisms of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of a reclosable
thermoplastic storage bag with a first embodiment of a venting mechanism
according to the
present invention;
[0028] FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken generally
along the lines
6-6 of FIG. 5;
[0029] FIGS. 7A-7D are fragmentary isometric views of alternative embodiments
of
closure mechanisms including venting mechanisms of the present invention;
[0030] FIGS. 8A and 8B are fragmentary sectional views similar to FIG. 2 of
alternative
embodiments of closure mechanisms including venting mechanisms of the present
invention;
[0031] FIGS. 8C and 8D are enlarged, fragmentary, sectional views taken
generally along
the lines 8C-8C and 8D-8D, respectively, of FIG. S;
[0032] FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a third embodiment of a reclosable
thermoplastic
storage bag according to the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken generally
along the lines
10-10 of FIG. 9;
[0034] FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a fourth embodiment of a reclosable
thermoplastic storage bag according to the present invention;
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-6-
[0035] FIG. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken generally
along the lines
12-12 of FIG. 11;
[0036] FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a fifth embodiment of reclosable
thermoplastic
storage bag according to the present invention;
[0037] FIGS. 14 and 15 are elevational views of embodiments of zipper tape
according to
the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of an apparatus for producing bags of the
present
invention;
[0039) FIG. 17 is an enlarged, fragmentary isometric view of a portion of the
apparatus of
FIG. 16;
[0040] FIG. 18 is an enlarged end elevational view of the apparatus of FIGS.
16 and 17;
and
[0041 ] FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic isometric view of an extrusion apparatus for
extruding
zipper tape incorporating the present invention;
DESGRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS)
[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, a reclosable pouch in the form of a thermoplastic
storage bag
20 comprises first and second body portions 22, 24 joined to one another to
form first and
second bag walls 26, 28. The first and second bag walls 26, 28 are joined at
first and second
side portions 30, 32, respectively, and at a bottom portion 34. An opening 35
is disposed at a
top portion 36 of the bag 20. First and second closure mechanisms 38a, 38b
arid two lips 40
are also disposed at the top portion 36 of the bag 20. The first closure
mechanism 38a is
disposed between the second closure mechanism 38b and an upper edge 42 of the
top portion
36.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 2, male and female closure elements or portions 44a,
44b of the
closure mechanism 38a are disposed on opposing internal sides or surfaces 46,
48 of the first
and second body portions 22, 24, respectively. In addition, male and female
elements or
portions SOa, SOb of the closure mechanism 38b are disposed on the internal
sides or surfaces
48, 46, respectively. Preferably, although not necessarily, the closure
mechanism 38a is
parallel to the closure mechanism 38b and the two are spaced from one another
by a distance
that is sufficiently large to allow each of the closure mechanisms to be
individually opened or
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
_7_
closed, but still optionally allow the closure mechanisms to be opened and
closed
simultaneously. Typically, these results are accomplished by spacing the
mechanisms 38a,
38b between about 0.2 inch (5.08 mm) and about 0.8 inch (20.32 mm) apart, more
preferably
between about 0.3 inch (7.62 mm) and about 0.6 inch (15.24 mm) and, most
preferably, about
0.4 inch (10.16 mm), although a different spacing may instead be used.
[0044] Preferably, the closure elements or portions 44a, 44b, SOa, and SOb
have a cross
sectional shape and/or may be formed in accordance with thelteachings of
Geiger, et al. U. S.
Patent No. 4,755, 248, Zieke et al., U. S. Patent No. 4,741,789, and/or
Porchia et al., U. S.
Patent No. 5,012,561, owned by the assignee of the present application and the
disclosures of
which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Optionally, the first
closure mechanism
38a exhibits a first closure characteristic and the second closure mechanism
38b exhibits a
second closure characteristic different than the first closure characteristic.
For example,
either or both of the first and second closure mechanisms 38 may exhibit a
relatively low
level of resistance to bag opening forces but provide a high level of
deformation so as to
exhibit a clicking feel and/or sound when the bag is opened or closed. In
addition, either or
both of the first and second closure mechanisms 3 8 may exhibit a law level of
deformation
but provide a relatively high overall resistance to bag opening forces. Either
or both of the
male closure elements 44a, SOa may be symmetric or asymmetric about a
longitudinal
centerline thereof and either or both of the female closure elements 44b, SOb
may be
symmetric or asymmetric about a longitudinal centerline thereof. Thus, for
example, either
or both of the first and second closure mechanisms 38 may have an asymmetric
configuration
so that the closure mechanism 38 exhibits a first resistance to opening forces
exerted on one
side of the mechanism 38 and further exhibits a second, different resistance
to opening forces
exerted on another side of the mechanism 38.
[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates a further embodiment wherein like reference numbers
denote
structures common to the various embodiments. As seen in FIG. 3, the male
closure elements
44a and SOa are disposed on the internal side or surface 46 and the female
closure elements
44b and SOb are disposed on the internal side or surface 48.
[0046] As seen in FIG. 3, each male closure element 44a, SOa comprises an
arrow-shaped
engagement member 80, 82, respectively, and a base member 84, 86,
respectively. Each
female closure element 44b, SOb comprises a C-shaped profile member 90, 92,
respectively,
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
_$-
joined to base members 94, 96, respectively. The base members 84, 86 are only
slightly
wider than the engagement members 80, 82 and the base members 94, 96 are only
slightly
wider than the side-to-side extent (as seen in FIG. 3) of the C-shaped profile
members 90 and
92. The same is true of the embodiment of FIG. 2. In both of these embodiments
relatively
little resin is required to form the closure mechanisms 38. In fact, it is
believed that only a
nunimal increase in resin is needed to produce the closure elements 38
compared to a
standard bag design utilizing a single closure mechanism.
[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention
wherein the
closure mechanisms 38a, 38b are replaced by closure mechanisms 138a, 138b. The
mechanism 138a includes male and female closure elements 144a, 144b and the
mechanism
138b includes male and female closure elements 150a, 150b. The mechanisms
138a, 138b
are identical, and hence, only the closure mechanism 138a will be discussed in
detail. The
male closure element 144a of the closure mechanism 138a comprises a base 154
integral with
flanking side members 156 and 158 and an arrow-shaped engagement member 160
that
extends from the base 154. A female closure element 144b comprises a base 162
with a C-
shaped profile member 164 extending therefrom, wherein the female closure
element 144b is
adapted to receive the male closure element 144a when pressure is exerted on
the closure
elements by a user's fingers) during closing of the bag. The side members 156
and 158 are
of a sufficient size and proximity to the engagement member 160 such that the
side members
156 and 158 move together with the member 160 when the members 160 and 164 are
engaged and disengaged. The side members 156 and 158 also have a height that
is less than .
the height of the engagement member 160, and the members 156 and 158 extend
beyond tips
168 of the female profile member 164 when the engagement member 160 is engaged
with the
female profile member 164. Thus, at such time, the tips 168 of the female
profile member
164 reside between the side members 156 and 158 and the male engagement member
160.
[0048] As in the previous embodiments, the male closure elements 144a, 150a
may be
disposed on the same bag wall or on.different bag walls, as may the female
closure elements
144b, 150b.
[0049] As should be evident by a comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4, the base members
84, 86,
94, and 96 of FIG. 3 are replaced by elongate members 180, 182, 184, 186,
respectively, and
hence, more resin is required to produce the closure mechanisms 138a, 138b as
compared to
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-9-
the closure mechanisms 38a, 38b. However, the elongate members 180-186 further
promote
guiding of the user's fingers and thumb during closing of the respective
closure mechanism.
[0050] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a first embodiment of the venting mechanism of the
present
invention. The closure mechanisms 38a, 38b of FIGS. 5 and 6 may be identical
or similar to
any of the closure elements described above. The venting mechanism includes a
plurality of
holes 188 disposed in at least one of the first and second bag walls 26, 28
between the male
and female closure elements 44a, 44b of the closure mechanism 38a and the male
and female
closure elements SOa, SOb of the closure mechanism 38b. The venting mechanism
includes
between about 1 hole and about 1000 holes per bag, and more preferably between
about 10
holes and about 100 holes per bag, whether the holes) are disposed in a single
bag wall
between the closure mechanisms 38a, 38b or both bag walls. The diameter of the
holes is
between about 0.001 inch (0.0254 mm) and about 0.5 inch (12.7 mm), and more
preferably
between about 0.05 inch (1.27 mm) and about 0.2 inch (5.08 mm). The holes may
be spaced
randomly or in a pattern, but preferably are spaced in a line across a width
of the bag 20.
[0051 ] To utilize a plurality of holes as a venting mechanism, a user may
place produce
or another product in an interior of the pouch 190 and seal the closure
mechanism 38a, such
that there is air communication between the interior of the pouch 190 and an
exterior of the
pouch 192 through the holes 188. If desired, the user may vent air in the
pouch 192
outwardly through the holes 188 by squeezing the pouch 192. If the pouch is
not to be made
air tight, the closure mechanism 38b may be left non-occluded. Alternatively,
if the user
desires an air-tight pouch, the user may place a product in the interior of
the pouch 190, seal
the closure mechanism 38a, force any air in the interior of the pouch 190 out
through the
holes 188 in the manner noted above, and seal the closure mechanism 38b.
Optionally, the
user may place a product in the interior of the pouch 190, seal the closure
mechanism 38b,
and occlude or not occlude the closure mechanism 38a.
[0052] Further embodiments of the venting mechanism of the present invention
are
shown in FIGS. 7A-7D. In these embodiments, one or. both of the male or female
closure
elements of either of the closure mechanisms 38a or 38b is segmented to allow
passage of
fluid, air, or another gas or gases therethrough. As seen in FIG. 7A, the male
closure element
44a of the closure mechanism 38a is segmented and the female closure element
44b is solid.
Conversely, in FIG. 7B, the female closure element 44b of the closure
mechanism 38a is
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-10-
segmented and the male closure element 44a is not. In either case,,if the user
prefers to
utilize the venting mechanism, the user would place a product in an interior
of the pouch 190
and occlude the closure mechanism 38a, thus capturing the product in the
interior of the
pouch 190 but allowing fluid communication between the interior of the pouch
190 and the
exterior of the pouch 190 through the segmented closure element, whether it is
the male or
female closure element. To utilize the pouch as an air-tight pouch, the user
may place a
product in the pouch and seal the closure mechanism 38b either with or without
occluding the
closure mechanism 38a.
[0053] Optionally, as seen in FIG. 7C, the male closure element SOa of the
closure
mechanism 38b is segmented and the female closure element SOb is not. FIG. 7D
further
depicts the female closure element SOb of the closure mechanism 38b being
segmented and
the male closure element SOa being non-segmented. Either way, in order to
utilize the
venting mechanism, the user may place the product in the interior of the pouch
190 and
occlude the closure mechanism 38b. To create an air-tight pouch, the user may
optionally
force any excess air from the pouch interior 190 out through the segmented
closure
mechanism 38b and seal the closure mechanism 38a. Alternatively, the user may
simply
place a product in the interior of the pouch 190 and seal the closure
mechanism 38a. The
segmentation of FIGS. 7A-7D may be utilized with any closure element disclosed
herein or
any other type of closure mechanism.
[0054] Depending on the use for the pouch, the closure mechanism 38a may also
have
male and female closure elements 44a, 44b that are both segmented and/or the
closure
mechanism 38b may have both male and female closure elements SOa, SOb that are
segmented.
[0055] Alternative embodiments of the venting mechanism of the present
invention are
shown in FIGS. 8A-8D. In each of these embodiments one or both of the closure
mechanisms 138 has either a deformed male closure member 189b or a deformed
female
closure member 189a. As seen in FIG. 8A, the female. closure member 189a has
been
modified by increasing the side-to-side distance between opposed tips 168 of
the female
profile member 164 and/or the male closure member 160 has been modified by
narrowing the
side-to-side thickness of a stem portion 167 thereof. Either modification may
be
accomplished by removing or deforming material either during or after the
extrusion process.
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-11-
In any event, one or more spaces or gaps are interposed between the tips 168
of the female
profile member 164 and the stem portion 167 when the closure members 189a,
189b are
occluded. Fluid, air, or another gas may pass through the gaps as desired. In
another
embodiment, the male arrow-shaped profile member 160, as seen in FIG. 8B, may
be
deformed by displacing and/or removing portions thereof to create at least one
gap that
permits fluid communication from one lateral side of the closure element to an
opposite
lateral side of the closure element. More generally, one aspect of the present
invention
comprehends the formation or creation of a gap or other passage between the
male and
female closure members that allows fluid communication from one side of a
closure
mechanism 138 to another side of the closure mechanism,138. As a further
example, the
embodiment of FIGS. 8C and 8D includes at least one closure mechanism 138
having a gap
169a between one of the tips 168 of the female profile member 164 and the stem
167 of the
male arrow-shaped profile member 160 at a first location across the width of
the closure
mechanism 138 (seen in FIG. 8C). The closure mechanisms) 138 may further
include
another gap 169b between the other of the tips 168 of the female profile
member 164 and the
stem 167 at a second location across the width of the closure mechanism 138
(FIG. 8D).
Fluid communication is provided between the gaps 169a, 169b due to a space 170
that exists
between the external surfaces of the male profile member and the internal
surfaces of the
female profile member. If desirable or necessary, additional gaps similar or
identical to the
gaps 169 may be provided at other locations along the width of the pouch. The
fluid
communication across the closure elements) 138 allows slow leaking of air
through the
profiles, therefore allowing some ventilation in the pouch.
[0056] As seen in the embodiments of FIGS. 9-14, a reclosable pouch 220 in the
form of
a thermoplastic bag includes first and second body portions 222, 224 joined to
one another to
form first and second bag walls 226, 228. The first and second bag walls 226,
228 are joined
at first and second side portions 230, 232, respectively, and at a bottom
portion 234. An
opening 235 is disposed at a top portion 236 of the bag 220. First and second
closure
mechanisms 238a, 238b are disposed at the top portion 236 of the bag 220. The
first closure
mechanism 238a is disposed at an upper edge 242 of the top portion 236 of the
bag 220 and
includes a slider 243 disposed thereon for opening and closing the first
closure mechanism
238a. The second closure mechanism 238b is disposed between the first closure
mechanism
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-12-
238a and the bottom portion 234 of the bag 220 and is of the type of closure
mechanism that
is closed by pressing and gliding one's fingers along the closure mechanism
238b and is
opened by pulling the bag walls 226, 228 apart.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 10, the first closure mechanism 238a includes first
and second
upwardly facing hook-shaped closure elements 244a, 244b disposed on an
internal side or
surface 246 of the first body portion 222. Additionally, a flange portion 247
is disposed on
the internal side 246 of the first body portion 222 above the first and second
closure elements
244a, 244b. Third and fourth downwardly facing hook-shaped closure elements
244c, 244d
are disposed on an internal side or surface 248 of the second body portion
224, wherein the
third and fourth closure elements 244c, 244d interlock with the first and
second closure
elements 244a, 244b, respectively, to form the first closure mechanism 238a.
[0058] As with previous embodiments, the upwardly facing hook-shaped elements
244a,
244b may be disposed on the internal side 248 of the second body portion 224
and the
downwardly facing hooked-shaped closure elements 244c, 244d may be disposed on
the
internal side 246 of the first body portion 222.
[0059] Preferably, the closure elements or portions 244a-244d have a cross
sectional
shape and/or may be formed in accordance with the teachings of this
application.
Alternatively, or in addition, the closure elements or portions 244a-244d may
have a cross
sectional shape and/or may be formed in accordance with the teachings of
Porchia et al. U.S.
Patent No. 5,950,285, or Porchia et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,836,056, owned by
the assignee of
the present application and the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated
by reference
herein.
[0060] , The slider 243 disposed on the first closure mechanism 238a includes
a top
portion 249 and first and second side walls 251a, 251b extending
perpendicularly from first
and second sides 253a, 253b of the top portion 249. The slider 243 further
includes first and
second slider feet 255a, 255b extending perpendicularly from the first and
second side walls
251a, 251b, respectively, toward one another. When the slider is disposed on
the first
closure mechanism 238a, the slider feet 255a, 255b are disposed below first
and second rails
257a, 257b extending from outer sides or surfaces 259a, 259b of the first and
second body
portions 222, 224, respectively. The rails 257a, 257b aid in retaining the
slider on the bag
220 in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the slider 243.
As the slider 243
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-13-
is moved across the bag in a first direction 261, the bag is opened and as the
slider 243 is
displaced across the bag in a second direction 263, the bag is closed.
Preferably, the slider
243 may be formed in accordance with the teachings of Porchia et al. U.S.
Patent No.
5,950,285, Porchia et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,836,056, Smith et al. U.S.Patent
Design No.
D422,909, Smith et al. U.S. Serial No. 10/458,316, or Smith et al. U.S. Serial
No.
29/183,883, owned by the assignee of the present application and the
disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated by reference herein.
[0061] Preferably, although not necessarily, the bag 220 includes first and
second end
stops 265a, 265b, as seen in FIG. 9, disposed adjacent the first and second
side portions 230,
232, respectively. The end stops 265a, 265b are either formed by heating and
melting a
portion of the closure mechanism 238a or each may comprises one or more clips
or the like
that are attached to the bag 220. The end stops 265a, 265b prevent removal of
the slider 243
in the direction of movement of the slider 243.
[0062] Referring again to FIG. 10, the second closure mechanism 238b includes
male and
female closure elements or portions 268a, 268b disposed on the internal sides
246, 248 of the
first and second body portions 222, 224, respectively. The male closure
element 268a of the
closure mechanism 238b comprises a base 270 integral with flanking side
members 272 and
274 and a male arrow-shaped engagement member 276 that extends from the base
270. The
female closure element 268b comprises a base 278 with a C-shaped profile
member 280
extending therefrom, wherein the female closure element 268b is adapted to
receive the male
closure element 268a when pressure is exerted on the closure element 238b by a
user's
fingers) during closing of the bag 220. The side members 272 and 274 are of
sufficient size
and proximity to the male engagement member 276 such that the side members 272
and 274
move together with the male engagement member 276 when the members 276 and 280
are
engaged and disengaged. The side members 272 and 274 also have a height that
is preferably
less than the height of the male engagement member 276, and the side members
272 and 274
extend beyond tips 282 of the female.profile member 280 when the male
engagement
member 276 is engaged with the female profile member 280. Thus, at such time,
the tips 282
of the female profile member 280 reside in spaces between the side members 272
and 274
and the male engagement member 276.
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-14-
[0063] As with previous embodiments, the male closure element 268a may be
disposed
on the internal side 248 of the second body portion 224 and the female closure
element 268b
may be disposed on the internal side 246 of the first body portion 222.
[0064] Preferably, the closure elements or portions 268a, 268b of the second
closure
mechanism 238b have a cross sectional shape and/or may be formed in accordance
with the
teachings of the present application. Alternatively, or in addition, the
closure elements or
portions 268a, 268b of the second closure mechanism 238b may have a cross
sectional shape
and/or may be formed in accordance with the teachings of Geiger et al. U.S.
Patent No.
4,755,248, Zieke et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,741,789, and/or Porchia et al.,
U.S. Patent No.
5,012,561, owned by the assignee of the present application and the
disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated by reference herein.
[0065] To utilize the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, when both closure
mechanisms
238a, 238b are open, a user may place one or more products in an interior of
the bag 220 and
thereafter exert force on the outer surfaces 259a, 259b of the first and
second body portions
222, 224, respectively, adjacent the male and female closure elements 268a,
268b of the
second closure mechanism 238b, thereby forcing the male and female closure
elements 268a,
268b into interlocking relation. The user may thereafter move the slider 243
in the second
direction 263, thus interlocking the closure elements 244a-244d of the first
closure
mechanism 238a and closing the bag 220. Optionally, the user may only close
the first
closure mechanism 238a or the second closure mechanism 238b or the user may
reverse the
order in which he closes the closure mechanisms 238a, 238b.
[0066] FIGS. 11 and 12 depict an embodiment similar to that of FIGS. 9 and 10
having a
venting mechanism. The venting mechanism includes a plurality of holes 288
disposed in at
least one of the bag walls 226, 228 between the first and second closure
mechanisms 238a,
238b. Preferably, the venting mechanism includes between about 1 hole and
about 10,000
holes per bag, and more preferably between about 10 holes and about 100 holes
per bag. The
diameter of the holes is preferably between about 0.000 inch (0.0127 mm) and
about 0.5
inch (12.7 mm), and more preferably between about 0.01 inch (0.254 mm) and
about 0.2 inch
(5.08 mm), and most preferably about 0.02 inch (0.508 mm). The holes may be of
any shape
and size and the shape and/or size may vary or not vary from hole to hole. For
example, the
holes may all be circular in shape and may all have the same diameter or
variable diameters.
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-15-
Also, the holes may be spaced randomly or in a pattern, but preferably are
spaced in a line
across a width of the bag 220.
[0067] To utilize the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, when both closure
mechanisms
238a, 238b are open, a user may place one or more products in an interior 290
of the bag 220,
and thereafter move the slider 243 in the second direction 263, thus
interlocking the closure
elements 244a-244d of the first closure mechanism 238a. At this time there is
air
communication between the interior 290 of the bag 220 and an exterior 292 of
the bag 220
through the holes 288. Optionally, the user may then vent air in the bag 220
outwardly
through the holes 288 by squeezing the bag 220. If the bag 220 is not to be
made air tight,
the second closure mechanism 238b may be left non-occluded. Alternatively, if
the user
desires an air-tight bag 220, the user may place a product in the interior 290
of the bag 220,
seal the first closure mechanism 238a, force any air in the interior 290 of
the bag 220 out
through the holes 288 in the manner noted above, and seal the second closure
mechanism
238b before air can reenter the bag 220. Optionally, the user may place a
product in the
interior 290 of the pouch 220, seal the second closure mechanism 238b, and
occlude or not
occlude the first closure mechanism 238a. Optionally, the embodiments of FIGS.
9-12 may
include any of the other venting mechanisms disclosed herein.
[0068] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10
except that the slider 243 of FIG. 13 includes an extension member 294
protruding from one
or both of the side walls 251 a, 251b of the slider 243. The extension member
294 is in the
shape of a finger and extends towards a bottom portion 234 of the bag 220.
When a user
moves the slider in the second direction 263 to close the first closure
mechanism 238a, the
extension member 294 may be pressed against the second closure mechanism 238b,
thereby
closing the second closure mechanism 238b as the slider 243 is sealing the
first closure
mechanism 238a. Optionally, the extension member 294 may be utilized in the
embodiment
of FIGS. 11 and 12. Still optionally, the extension member 294 may take any
form or shape
that would perform the function of closing the second closure mechanism 238b.
[0069] Another embodiment as shown in FIG. 14 comprises a zipper tape 300. The
zipper tape 300 includes first and second thermoplastic strips 302, 304,
wherein a first closure
element 306 is disposed on the first strip 302 and a second closure element
308 is disposed on
the second strip 304. The closure elements 306, 308 may be integral with or
separately
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-16-
deposited onto the strips 302, 304 and may be of any type described in the
present
application. A slider 343 is disposed on the closure elements 306, 308 for
opening and
closing the closure elements 306, 308, thereby forming a closure mechanism 310
at a first
edge 311 of the strips 302, 304. The closure mechanism 310 is preferably
similar to the
closure mechanism 238a of FIGS. 9-14. Preferably, second edges 320 of the
strips 302, 304
in the form of flange portions 321 are attached to top edges of a
thermoplastic bag having a
closure mechanism, such as the closure mechanism 238b described with respect
to FIGS. 9-
14. Optionally, the first bottom edge 320 of the zipper tape 300 may be
attached to top edges
of a folded thermoplastic sheet. In either case, the zipper tape 300 is
attached by any suitable
conventional process and apparatus. Optionally, the zipper tape 300 may
include end stops
312, 314 that formed adjacent first and second edges 316, 318 of the strips
302, 304 either
before or after the zipper tape 300 is attached to a thermoplastic bag or
folded thermoplastic
sheet. As discussed above, the end stops 312, 314 may be in the form of fused
portions or
one or more clips or the like that are attached to the zipper tape 300.
[0070] FIG. 15 depicts an embodiment of a zipper tape 300 similar to FIG. 14.
The
embodiment of FIG. 15 fiarther includes a second closure mechanism 332
disposed below the
closure mechanism 310. The second closure mechanism 332 includes male and
female
closure elements 334, 336 similar to the male and female closure elements
268a, 268b of
FIGS. 9-14. The female closure element 336 receives the male closure element
334 when
pressure is exerted on the closure elements 334, 336 by a user's fmger(s).
Second edges 338
of the strips 302, 304 in the form of flange portions 339 may be attached to
top edges of a
folded thermoplastic sheet by any suitable conventional process and apparatus.
[0071] Preferably, although not necessarily, the first closure mechanism 238a
is parallel
to the second closure mechanism 238b and the two are spacing from one another
by a
distance sufficiently large to allow the slider 243 of the first closure
mechanism 238a to exert
opening and closing forces only on the first closure mechanism 238a.
Typically, these results
are accomplished by spacing the first and second closure.mechanisms 238a, 238b
between
about 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) and about 2 inches (50.8 mm) apart, more preferably
between about
0.8 inch (20.32 mm) and about 1 inch (25.4 mm) apart, although a different
spacing may
instead be used. Optionally, the first and second closure mechanisms 238a,
238b may be
spaced from one another by a distance sufficiently small to allow the slider
243 of the first
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-17-
closure mechanism 238a to exert opening and/or closing forces on the second
closure
mechanism 238b.
[0072] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, one or more gripping ribs
(not
shown) may be disposed on the internal surfaces 46, 48 or 246, 248 of the bag
20 or 220
between the closure mechanisms 38a, 38b or 238a, 238b and the top portion 36
or 236 of the
bag 20 or 220, wherein the gripping ribs are integrally extruded with the
walls of the bag.
Any number of gripping ribs can be used, although space is necessary between
adjacent ribs
in order to facilitate a gripping action with a user's fingers. Any of the
gripping ribs may be
continuous or discontinuous. Preferably, if the gripping ribs are disposed
between the closure
mechanisms 38a, 38b or 238a, 238b and the bag walls 26, 28 or 226, 228 include
holes 188 or
288 therein, the gripping ribs are discontinuous to allow air flow through the
holes 188 or
288. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6, preferably about six or seven gripping
ribs are
disposed on each lip 40 of the bag 20.
[0073] Reclosable thermoplastic storage bags as described herein can be
produced by any
suitable bag-making process, such as a cast post applied process, a cast
integral process, a
blown process or any other process known in the art. It should be noted that
the extrusion
dies) used to form the closure mechanisms and strips) must include a suitable
number of
profile plates to form such structures. In addition, an air nozzle may be
provided in
association with each female closure element that blows air into the opening
of each C-
shaped female profile member to open the member as it is being extruded. The
air flow
and/or velocity may be varied to obtain the desired deformation for venting
purposes, as
noted above. In addition, one or more cooling water jets may be provided to
cool the male
and female closure elements after they are extruded.
[0074] If desired, an alternative post applied process can be used to produce
any of the
bags disclosed herein, such as seen in FIGS. 16 and 17. Refernng to such
FIGS., the
alternative post applied process utilizes an extrusion apparatus including a
first extrusion slot
die 400, a temperature-controlled driven casting roll 402, .edge pinning
devices or apparatus
404a, 404b, an air knife 406, second and third extrusion dies 408a, 408b (that
are
diagrammatically shown and which, together with the die 400, form the
extrusion apparatus)
and blowing apparatus 410a, 410b. The extrusion die 400 receives molten
thermoplastic
from an extruder (not shown) and deposits the thermoplastic in sheet form as a
web 412 onto
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
_lg_.
the casting roll 402. The extrusion die 400 includes a slot opening (not
shown) that
optionally forms thickened areas 414, 416 at outside edge portions 418a, 418b
of the resulting
web 412 and a relatively thinner portion 420 intermediate the thickened areas
414, 416. The
edge portions 418a, 418b are pinned to the casting roll 402 by the edge
pinning devices 404a,
404b, respectively. The web 412 is then pinned across the entire width thereof
(i.e., as a
whole) to the casting roll 402 by the air knife 406.
[0075] After the web 412 is pinned to the casting roll 402, the male and
female closure
elements 44, 50, 144, 150, or 268a, 268b are formed on the web 412.
Preferably, the
extrusion dies 408a, 408b receive molten thermoplastic from separate extruders
and extrude
the male and female closure elements 44, 50, 144, 150, or 268a, 268b onto the
thickened
areas 414, 416. Alternatively, the separate extrusion dies 408a, 408b may be
replaced by a
single extrusion die having two outlets at which the male and female closure
elements 44, 50,
144, 150, or 268a, 268b are simultaneously extruded onto the thickened areas
414, 416. As a
still further alternative, each extrusion die 408a, 408b may be replaced by
two or more
extrusion dies that individually and separately extrude the closure elements
44, 50, 144, 150,
or 268a, 268b. In any event, as seen in FIG. 18, the angle of a face 422 of
each die 400 is at
least initially disposed substantially parallel to a horizontal (as seen in
FIG. 18) radial line
424 extending from the center of the casting roll 402. The position of the die
400 (or each die
400a, 400b individually if separate dies are used) may then be adjusted by
moving the die
left, right, up, or down (all as seen in FIG. 18) or the die may be tipped
(i.e., angularly
displaced) to adjust the angle of the die face 422 to obtain desirable
results. The closure
elements 44, 50, 144, 150, or 268a, 268b formed by the dies) 408 may exit the
dies) 408 at a
point coincident with a vertical tangent line 426 (FIG. 18) intersecting the
surface of the
casting roll 402 on the side of the casting roll 402 where the web 412 is
first deposited
thereon. Alternatively, the closure elements 44, 50, 144, 150, or 268a, 268b
formed by the
dies) 408 may exit the dies) 408 at a point displaced to the right or left (as
seen in FIG. 18)
of the tangent line 426. If the extrudate exits the dies) 408 at.a point
displaced to the right of
the line 426, some provision must be made at the initiation of production to
attach the
extrudate stream to the casting roll 402. Thereafter, production may commence,
(provided
that the exit of the dies) 408 is not disposed too far to the right of the
tangent line 426)
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-19-
whereupon the melt strength of the extrude stream carries the stream into
contact with the roll
402.
[0076] Once the molten thermoplastic from the dies) 408 has been deposited
onto the
web 412, coolant is applied to the closure elements 44, 50, 144, 150, or 268a,
268b by
coolant apparatus (not shown) to bring the temperature thereof below the
melting point of the
thernioplastic material forming the closure elements 44, 50, 144, 150, or
268a, 268b as
quickly as possible. Preferably, the coolant comprises water or any other
suitable cooling
fluid and the coolant is applied to the material of the closure elements 44,
50, 144, 150, or
268a, 268b only after such material contacts the material of the web 412 so
that adhesion
thereto is optimized. The web 412 and the closure elements 44, 50, 144, 150,
or 268a, 268b
are maintained in contact with the temperature-controlled casting roll 402 for
a period of time
as the roll 402 is rotated so that the web 412 and closure elements 44, 50,
144, 150, or 268a,
268b are further cooled. The casting roll 402 should be maintained at a
temperature below
the melting point of the thermoplastic materials) forming the web 412 and the
closure
elements 44, 50, 144, 150, or 268a, 268b, typically about 20-80 degrees
Celsius. .
[0077] If desired, any of the closure elements and/or strips and/or other
associated
structures of the above embodiments can be integrally extruded on internal
surfaces of
flanges as zipper tape that is subsequently post-applied to film in a bag
production process.
For example, the closure elements 44, 50, 144, 150, or 268a, 268b may be
extruded with
flanges as zipper tape portions 500, 502. In this embodiment, gripping ribs
may also be
formed on the zipper tape and the zipper tape may have relatively thicker
portions at portions
that ultimately form the top of the bag and relatively thinner portions at
opposite portions
where the zipper tape is to be joined to the film. For example, as seen in
FIG. 19, zipper tape
portions 500, 502 may be extruded separately by an extrusion die 504 into a
water bath 506.
If desired, more than one extrusion die may be employed for this purpose. The
zipper tape
portions 500, 502 extend about pulleys or rollers 508, 510, respectively, in
the water bath 506
and may further extend about additional pulleys or rollers 512, 514 and 516,
518 out of the
water bath 506. The zipper tape portions 500, 502 may thereafter pass through
a dewatering
station 520, where the water is .removed therefrom, and the portions 500, 502
may be joined
together (i.e., occluded) by nip rollers 522. The occluded portions 500, 502
may thereafter be .
stored on spools or reels or the occluded portions may be directly delivered
to an in-line bag
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-20-
manufacturing apparatus, where the portions 500, 502 are laminated or
otherwise secured to
bag film.
[0078] During or after the use of any suitable bag-making process to create
pouches or
partial pouches, holes may be created in the pouches between the closure
mechanisms by any
means known in the art. Such processes include punching, using lasers, burning
holes in the
thermoplastic with hot pins or needles, perforating, utilizing high pressure
water jets, or using
electrical arcs to create holes therein. Some of these processes are disclosed
in detail in Dais
et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,405,561, owned by the assignee of the present
application and the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
[0079] Alternatively, during or after the use of any suitable bag-making
process to create
pouches or bags, any of the closure elements may be segmented or deformed.
Segmentation
and deformation may be created using a lateral punching means or a deforming
apparatus,
respectively, as disclosed in Dais et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,140,727, owned by
the assignee of
the present application and the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference
herein. Optionally, deformation may be created by pulsing the extruder during
extrusion of
any of the closure elements or forcing water from a water jet onto any of the
closure elements
after extrusion thereof to effect deformation.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0080] The pouch described herein advantageously can have an air-tight seal
for.products
that should not be in substantial contact with air during storage thereof or
can have a vented
seal for products, such as fruits and vegetables, that are best stored in a
manner that allows air
and water vapor to circulate through the bag walls. In addition, the bag can
be used to permit
product stored therein to be treated with a gas before storage of the product.
Still further, the
pouch may also permit venting of steam when microwaving foods therein or to
simply
remove all excess air from the pouch prior to air tight sealing thereof.
[0081 ] The pouch of the present invention is provided with two closure
mechanisms
spaced apart a distance far enough wherein each closure mechanism can be
sealed and
unsealed individually or simultaneously. A venting mechanism is provided in
the pouch
either by disposing holes between the closure mechanisms, segmenting one or
more of the
CA 02526238 2005-11-17
WO 2004/103827 PCT/US2004/015241
-21-
closure elements of one or more of the closure mechanisms, or deforming one or
more of the
closure elements of one or more of the closure mechanisms.
[0082] Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to
those skilled
in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description
is to be
construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling
those skilled in the
art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out
same. The
exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the
appended claims are
reserved.
