Flexible bags – Tamper indicating
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-21
2002-12-31
Garbe, Stephen P. (Department: 3727)
Flexible bags
Tamper indicating
C383S061200, C383S064000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06499878
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to reclosable packages with barrier properties. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of particular materials as partitions that are substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Reclosable packages or bags are very common, especially in the food industry. Such packages are typically made to be reclosable via the use of a reclosable element or fastener such as a resealable adhesive seal or a reclosable zipper. Such zippers may be opened and closed either by pressure or by the use of an auxiliary slider mechanism.
Reclosable packages are a great convenience to consumers, especially for products such as luncheon meats and cheeses where, typically, only a portion of the product is used at any given time. One problem with these reclosable packages, however, is that the packages are not substantially impermeable to various gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. These gases may enter into the packages from the external atmosphere causing food spoilage.
One attempt to address this problem has involved encapsulating the reclosable feature by extending the wall panels of the package. One disadvantage of this type of package is that the extended wall panels may interfere with the operation of opening and closing the package, resulting in customer dissatisfaction. Another disadvantage includes higher product costs involved with using additional resins for extending the wall panels. This type of package also involves an additional step for the customer of removing a tear strip or manually cutting the wall panels to gain access to the package.
A need therefore exists for packages or bags being substantially impermeable to gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and carbon without having the above-noted disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a reclosable package includes a pair of opposing walls, a reclosable seal and a barrier partition. The pair of opposing wall panels are joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridges the opposing sides to create a receptacle space having a mouth end opposite the bottom. The reclosable seal extends along the mouth end and includes first and second opposing reclosable elements. The first and second reclosable elements are releasably engageable to each other. The barrier partition comprises at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The barrier partition extends substantially across the pair of opposing wall panels in the receptacle space.
According to another embodiment, a reclosable package includes a pair of opposing walls, a reclosable seal and a barrier partition. The reclosable seal extends along the mouth end and includes first and second opposing tracks. The first and second tracks include respective first and second profiles. The first and second opposing tracks are releasably engageable to each other. The first and second tracks are connected to the respective opposing wall panels. The first and second profiles include at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The barrier means are proximate to upper edges of the respective first and second profiles. The barrier means are substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
According to another embodiment, a reclosable package includes a barrier partition comprising at least a first layer that includes a material selected from the group consisting of vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, nylon, polyester, ethylene vinyl dichloride, liquid crystal polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, modified polyolefins with barrier properties, polyacrylonitrile, acrylonitriles copolymers, polyacetal, cellophane or combinations thereof.
According to a further embodiment, a fastener of the present invention includes first and second opposing elements, a first fin portion and a second fin portion. The first and second opposing reclosable elements are releasably engageable to each other. The first fin portion extends downward from the first reclosable element. The first fin portion comprises at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The second fin portion extends downward from the second reclosable element. The second fin portion comprises at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The second fin portion and the first fin portion are joined to each other.
According to a yet another embodiment, a fastener of the present invention includes first and second opposing tracks that are releasably engageable to each other. The first and second opposing tracks have a first and second profile, respectively. The first and second profiles comprise at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
According to one process of the present invention, a coating is applied to a reclosable bag. The provided reclosable bag comprises a pair of opposing wall panels joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the opposing sides to create a receptacle space having a mouth end opposite the bottom. A reclosable seal extends along the mouth end and includes first and second opposing tracks. The first and second tracks include respective first and second profiles. The first and second opposing tracks are releasably engageable to each other. The first and second tracks are connected to the respective opposing wall panels. The process also includes applying a coating to at least a portion of the first and second tracks. The coating includes at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1992152 (1935-02-01), Yeates
patent: 2506311 (1950-05-01), Moore
patent: 2560535 (1951-07-01), Allen
patent: 2898027 (1959-08-01), Scholle
patent: 2978769 (1961-04-01), Harrah
patent: 3104798 (1963-09-01), Stone
patent: 3172443 (1965-03-01), Ausnit
patent: 3181583 (1965-05-01), Lingenfelter
patent: 3198228 (1965-08-01), Naito
patent: 3206354 (1965-09-01), Pooley
patent: 3282493 (1966-11-01), Kamins et al.
patent: 3313471 (1967-04-01), Dickard et al.
patent: 3325084 (1967-06-01), Ausnit
patent: 3326399 (1967-06-01), Ausnit
patent: 3387640 (1968-06-01), Butler
patent: 3396062 (1968-08-01), White
patent: 3456867 (1969-07-01), Repko
patent: 3462068 (1969-08-01), Suominen
patent: 3471005 (1969-10-01), Sexstone
patent: 3473589 (1969-10-01), Gotz
patent: 3524795 (1970-08-01), Peterson
patent: 3543343 (1970-12-01), Staller et al.
patent: 3616020 (1971-10-01), Whelan et al.
patent: 3625270 (1971-12-01), Skendzie
patent: 3633642 (1972-01-01), Siegel
patent: 3669794 (1972-06-01), Mazur
patent: 3746215 (1973-07-01), Ausnit et al.
patent: 3780781 (1973-12-01), Uramoto
patent: 3940001 (1976-02-01), Haefner et al.
patent: 3977153 (1976-08-01), Schrenk
patent: 3991801 (1976-11-01), Ausnit
patent: 4013745 (1977-03-01), Brinkmann et al.
patent: 4086045 (1978-04-01), Thiel et al.
patent: 4128695 (1978-12-01), Kikuchi et al.
patent: 4189050 (1980-02-01), Jensen et al.
patent: 4191230 (1980-03-01), Ausnit
patent: 4196030 (1980-04-01), Ausnit
patent: 4234663 (1980-11-01), Catte et al.
patent: 4235653 (1980-11-01), Ausnit
patent: 4241865 (1980-12-01), Ferrell
patent: 4249982 (1981-02-01), Ausnit
patent: 4252238 (1981-02-01), Spiegelberg et al.
patent: 4285376 (1981-08-01), Ausnit
patent: 4287147 (1981-09-01), Hungerford
patent: 4402889 (1983-09-01), Bonis
patent: 4410602 (1983-10-01), Komoda et al.
patent: 4428477 (1984-01-01), Cristofolo
patent: 4518087 (1985-05-01), Goglio
patent: 4573203 (1986-02-01), Peppiatt
patent: 4576995 (1986-03-01), Nakabayashi et al.
patent: 4617683 (1986-10-01), Christoff
patent: 4647509 (1987-03-01), Wallace et al.
patent: 4652325 (1987-03-01), Benge et al.
paten
Dobreski David V.
Long Steve P.
Thomas Toby R.
Garbe Stephen P.
Jenkens & Gilchrist
Pactiv Corporation
LandOfFree
Reclosable packages with barrier properties does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Reclosable packages with barrier properties, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Reclosable packages with barrier properties will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2925807