Package making – Methods – Forming a cover adjunct or application of a cover adjunct to...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-15
2001-12-11
Sipos, John (Department: 3721)
Package making
Methods
Forming a cover adjunct or application of a cover adjunct to...
C053S451000, C053S133400, C053S139200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327837
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of reclosable packaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to a slide-zipper assembly and a method of making packages with the slide-zipper assembly, preferably on a form-fill-seal (FFS) machine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Slide-zipper assemblies are well-known in the reclosable packaging art, such as those slide-zipper assemblies disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,007,143, 5,008,971, 5,131,121 and 5,664,299. Methods of making reclosable packages on FFS machines are likewise well-known in the reclosable packaging art, such as those methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,909,017, 4,655,862 and 4,894,975.
Because of the facility which is provided by slide-zippers to consumers of reclosable packages and because of the large volume of reclosable packages made on FFS machines today, it is highly desirable and advantageous to combine the two technologies so that slide-zippered packages can be made on FFS machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new type of slide-zipper assembly particulary suited for use in the manufacture of slide-zippered packages on FFS machines. Another object of the present invention is to provide a supply of package making material which can be used to make packages which utilize the slide-zipper assembly. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of making packages which utilize the slide-zipper assembly, preferably on an FFS machine.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a reclosable zipper is provided. The reclosable zipper is comprised of a first profile interlockable with a second profile. Each profile includes an interlocking member and a flange extending from the interlocking member on one side thereof. The zipper flanges extend in the same direction and are connected together by a peel seal. Additionally, one of the flanges is longer than the other in order to facilitate attachment of the slide-zipper assembly to thermoplastic film which will later be formed into a package. Optionally, a slider may be included for opening and closing the zipper. The slider straddles the zipper and is adapted to open the zipper as it is moved therealong in an opening direction and to close the zipper as it is moved therealong in a closing direction.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, lengths of the reclosable zipper are attached to thermoplastic film via the longer zipper flange, which thermoplastic film can later be used to make reclosable packages.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the zipper-equipped thermoplastic film is fed into an FFS machine or the like and made into reclosable packages.
The present invention will now be described in detail, with frequent reference being made to the drawings identified below in which the same numerals represent the same elements.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4601694 (1986-07-01), Ausnit
patent: 4894975 (1990-01-01), Ausnit
patent: 4909017 (1990-03-01), McMahon et al.
patent: 5400568 (1995-03-01), Kanemitsu et al.
patent: 5492411 (1996-02-01), May
patent: 5613934 (1997-03-01), May
patent: 5782733 (1998-07-01), Yeager
patent: 5816018 (1998-10-01), Bois
patent: 5956924 (1999-09-01), Thieman
patent: 6000197 (1999-12-01), Ausnit
patent: 516393 (1992-12-01), None
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Pitney Hardin Kipp & Szuch LLP
Sipos John
LandOfFree
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