Flexible bags – With closure – Rib and groove
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-07
2001-04-17
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Flexible bags
With closure
Rib and groove
C024S587110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217215
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to closure arrangements for polymer packages, such as plastic bags. In particular, the present invention relates to closure mechanisms having tactile feedback.
BACKGROUND
Many packaging applications use resealable containers to store or enclose various types of articles and materials. These packages may be used to store food products, non-food consumer goods, medical supplies, waste materials, and many other articles. Resealable packages are convenient in that they can be closed and resealed after the initial opening to preserve the enclosed contents. The need to locate a storage container for the unused portion of the products in the package is thus avoided. In some instances, providing products in resealable packages appreciably enhances the marketability of those products.
Some resealable packages enable a user to know when the closure profiles have interlocked. Typically, in order to accomplish this, at least one of the closure profiles is discontinuous in its cross-section in the longitudinal direction. Providing a discontinuous closure profile involves additional manufacturing steps, resulting in increased costs, slower manufacturing rates, and increased scrap rates.
Improvements in the design and manufacture of resealable packages are desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In one aspect of the present invention, one example embodiment involves a closure arrangement for a flexible package. The closure arrangement includes first and second opposing profiles having a continuous cross-section. The first profile includes a first plurality of feedback devices. The second profile includes a second plurality of feedback devices. The first and second plurality of feedback devices interact to allow a user of the package to sense when the first and second profiles are interlocking.
In another aspect, the first plurality of feedback devices of the first profile includes feedback ridges.
In another aspect, the first plurality of feedback devices of the first profile includes feedback depressions.
In another aspect, the first plurality of feedback devices of the first profile includes catches.
In another aspect, a flexible package has first and second opposing film walls having first and second side seals and a mouth extending between the first and second side seals. The mouth provides access to an interior of the package. The package also includes first and second opposing profiles along the mouth for sealing the mouth. The first and second profiles have structure analogous to that previously described.
In another aspect, a method of closing a flexible package having a closure arrangement is provided. The closure arrangement includes opposing first and second closure profiles. The method includes applying pressure to the first and second closure profiles to cause the first and second closure profiles to interlock; feeling the first and second closure profiles interlocking; and continuing to apply or reapplying pressure to the first and second profiles until the first and second profiles are interlocked.
The above summary of principles of the disclosure is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify certain preferred embodiments utilizing the principles disclosed herein.
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Hylton Robin A.
Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.
Shoap Allan N.
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