Flexible bags – Tamper indicating
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-04
2001-07-24
Pascua, Jes F. (Department: 3727)
Flexible bags
Tamper indicating
C383S061100, C383S064000, C383S203000, C383S210000, C024S400000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264366
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to closure arrangements for packages. In particular, the present invention relates to closure arrangements having encapsulated zippers, reclosable profiles, and slider devices to open and close the profiles.
BACKGROUND
Many packaging applications use resealable containers to store various types of articles and materials. These packages may be used to store and ship 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. As such, providing products in resealable packages appreciably enhances the marketability of those products.
Some perishable goods are sold to consumers in the form of a reclosable package. For example, cheese or meat products can be packaged in a bag with reclosable closure profiles such that after opening the package, it can be reclosed. It is desirable that these packages be hermetically sealed to prevent spoilage. It is also desirable that these packages include tamper-evident features to inform the consumer whether the package previously has been opened.
WO 98/05567 to St. Phillips et al., incorporated herein by reference, shows the use of a one-time breakable preferential area of weakness and reclosable profiles on a package.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,782,951 to Griesbach et al., incorporated herein by reference, shows the use of a peel seal and reclosable profiles on a package.
Other U.S. Patents show the use of a peel seal in combination with reclosable profiles. Some of these patents include U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,316 to VanErden et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,309 to VanErden et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,928 to Hustad et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,825 to Rasko et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,636 to May; each of these patents being incorporated herein by reference.
Encapsulated zippers also are disclosed in U.S. Patents. Examples include U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,817 to Bahr; U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,271 to Branson; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,669 to Thomas et al; each of these patents being incorporated herein by reference.
Improvements in closure arrangements are desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure describes closure arrangements for reclosable packages. In one embodiment, a reclosable package includes a closure arrangement having a zipper closure, a slider device, and an encapsulating layer positioned between the zipper and the slider device. The zipper includes first and second closure profiles that are releasably engageable with each other. The encapsulating layer includes a tamper-evident structure. In one embodiment, the tamper-evident structure is an area of weakness. In another embodiment, the tamper-evident structure is a solid fold.
In another embodiment, a reclosable package includes a closure arrangement having a zipper closure, an encapsulating layer, and a slider device positioned between the zipper and the encapsulating layer. The encapsulating layer includes a tamper-evident structure. In one embodiment, the tamper-evident structure is a peel seal. In another embodiment, the tamper-evident structure is a solid fold. In still another embodiment, the tamper-evident structure is an area of weakness.
The encapsulating layer may be a variety of constructions. In one embodiment, the encapsulating layer includes a panel extended portion. In another embodiment, the encapsulating layer includes an independent panel section. In still another embodiment, the encapsulating layer includes two panel extender sections.
The slider device is constructed and arranged to slide relative to the zipper to control interlocking and disengaging between the first and second closure profiles.
In some embodiments, the packages may be hermetically sealed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2994469 (1961-08-01), Troup et al.
patent: 3181583 (1965-05-01), Lingenfelter
patent: 4335817 (1982-06-01), Bahr
patent: 4713839 (1987-12-01), Peppiatt
patent: 4896775 (1990-01-01), Boeckmann et al.
patent: 4925316 (1990-05-01), Van Erden et al.
patent: 4927271 (1990-05-01), Branson
patent: 5024537 (1991-06-01), Tilman
patent: 5063069 (1991-11-01), Van Erden et al.
patent: 5167608 (1992-12-01), Steffens, Jr. et al.
patent: 5211482 (1993-05-01), Tilman
patent: 5456928 (1995-10-01), Hustad et al.
patent: 5461845 (1995-10-01), Yeager
patent: 5480230 (1996-01-01), May
patent: 5636783 (1997-06-01), Preston
patent: 5669715 (1997-09-01), Dobreski et al.
patent: 5713669 (1998-02-01), Thomas et al.
patent: 5875611 (1999-03-01), Plourde
patent: 5902047 (1999-05-01), Yeager
patent: 5911508 (1999-06-01), Dobreski et al.
patent: 5964532 (1999-10-01), St. Phillips et al.
patent: 0485741 (1992-05-01), None
patent: 0528721 (1993-02-01), None
patent: 093011051 (1993-06-01), None
Pascua Jes F.
Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.
LandOfFree
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