Flexible bags – Tamper indicating
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-10
2001-06-19
Pascua, Jes F. (Department: 3727)
Flexible bags
Tamper indicating
C383S061100, C383S064000, C383S202000, C383S203000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247843
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure generally relates to closure arrangements for packages. In particular, the present disclosure relates to closure arrangements having recloseable 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. Slider devices have been used to help open and close closure profiles on recloseable and/or resealable bags and other packages.
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 packaged in recloseable bags or other packages. For example, cheese, meat or vegetable products can be packaged in a bag with recloseable closure profiles so that after opening the package, the package can be re-closed and the freshness of the product retained. Often these packages include tamper evident features to inform the consumer whether the package previously has been opened. Because of the construction of these packages with recloseable closure profiles, it has been difficult to place a tamper evident feature on a bag or package that uses a slider device to help open and close the recloseable closure profiles.
Improvements in packaging, that includes tamper evident features and easily recloseable seals, are desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to a package, such as a flexible package, having a combination of a resealable, recloseable zipper closure mechanism comprising first and second engageable closure profiles and a tamper evident seal. The tamper evident seal is attached to each half of the zipper mechanism (i.e., the second closure profile and the first closure profile) and extends along the side of at least one of first and second profiles. Opening and closing of the zipper closure mechanism is accomplished by a slider device mounted on the zipper closure. The slider device facilitates mating and unmating of the first and second closure profile members of the zipper closure. The slider device includes a cutting device located on at least one of the slider device arms that slits or otherwise opens the tamper evident seal, to provide access to the interior of the package. An attempt to gain access to the interior of the package requires moving the slider device across the zipper, thereby opening the tamper evident seal, or otherwise penetrating the tamper evident seal.
In particular, this disclosure relates to a package comprising a package enclosure having at least two sides and a mouth, the mouth providing access to the package interior. A recloseable zipper closure, having first and second closure profiles along the mouth, selectively opens and closes the mouth. Typically, the first and second closure profiles include engageable first and second closure profile members. A tamper evident seal is attached to both the first closure member and to the second closure member, so as to seal access to the package interior. The tamper evident seal extends along the side of at least one of the first and second closure members. In addition to being constructed and arranged to selectively open and close the mouth to provide access to the package interior, the slider device has a cutting device constructed and arranged to open or otherwise penetrate or breach the tamper evident seal. Upon first movement of the slider device across tamper evident seal, the seal is at least partially broken, indicating attempted access to the interior. A method of opening a package is also provided.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2994469 (1961-08-01), Troup et al.
patent: 5211482 (1993-05-01), Tilman
patent: 5456928 (1995-10-01), Hustad et al.
patent: 5669715 (1997-09-01), Dobreski et al.
patent: 5911508 (1999-06-01), Dobreski et al.
patent: 5964532 (1999-10-01), Phillips et al.
patent: 0 485 741 A1 (1992-05-01), None
patent: 0 528 721 A2 (1993-02-01), None
patent: WO 93/11051 (1993-06-01), None
Pascua Jes F.
Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.
Trempus Thomas R.
LandOfFree
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