Manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturi – Container making – Pliable container
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-05-01
Vo, Peter (Department: 3721)
Manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturi
Container making
Pliable container
C493S213000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224528
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to bag or pouch constructions. In particular, the invention concerns an arrangement in which a bag or pouch construction includes a side seal with a non-linear edge. The invention also concerns methods for preparing and using such arrangements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of items are marketed and enclosed within flexible bags or bag constructions. Examples of such products include shampoo, soap, detergent, lotion, and others. Further, many other products such as nuts, candies, coffee, salt, seed, fertilizer, and the like are also packaged in flexible bags, with or without pour nozzles. The bags may include a reclosable zipper arrangement at one end.
Flexible bags sometimes have a base, such as a bottom gusset or pad, and are arranged to stand upright when filled. This permits the seller to display the bag in a visible and attractive manner. Improvements for maximizing the attractiveness of a flexible bag have been desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a bag construction or arrangement is provided. A bag construction includes first and second opposed panel sections. First and second side seals are between the panel sections, and define a bag construction interior. The first and second side seals each have an inner edge portion adjacent to the bag construction interior. The first side seal inner edge portion has at least one non-linear edge section extending over a part of the first side seal inner edge portion.
Preferably, the non-linear edge section extends a distance of at least about 10 cm over the part. In many instances, the non-linear edge section may extend a distance of about 10-61 cm over the part, and in some instances more.
In certain arrangements, the non-linear edge section includes a plurality of spaced inwardly directed projections. The plurality of spaced inwardly directed projections preferably extend a distance of at least 30% of a length the first side edge. Indeed, the plurality of spaced inwardly directed projections may extend over a distance of about 30-100% of a length of the first side edge.
In some embodiments, the non-linear edge section includes at least 4 and preferably at least 13 spaced inwardly directed projections. In certain of the arrangements, each of the projections may be uniform, or of identical size and shape, to one another.
Some arrangements may include the non-linear edge section having a plurality of inwardly directed projections alternating with a plurality of outwardly directed recesses. In one typical embodiment, the non-linear edge section is undulated. The non-linear edge section may be defined by a geometry similar to that of a curve having a height of about 0.5-4 mm.
The non-linear edge section may extend a complete length of the first inner edge portion, in some arrangements.
In certain embodiments, the second side seal inner edge portion has at least one non-linear edge section extending over a portion thereof. The non-linear edge section of the second side seal inner edge portion may also include a plurality of spaced inwardly directed projections.
In some embodiments, a base gusset member is oriented in extension between the first and second panel sections. The base gusset member may include distribution apertures therein. The base gusset member can be a separate section joined to the first and second panel sections; alternatively, the base gusset member can be part of the same section of material as the first and second panel sections.
In preferred arrangements, the first and second panel sections are separate pieces of material joined along the opposite side edges. In other arrangements, the first and second panel sections may be part of the same piece of material, for example, if made by a form-fill-seal process.
In some arrangements, a fitment is secured to the first and second panel sections.
Certain embodiments can include a transverse openable and reclosable closure arrangement extending between the first and second panel sections. This closure arrangement may include a rib and trough closure arrangement.
There is also provided herein a method for constructing a pouch arrangement having first and second opposed panel sections. The method includes a step of providing first and second continuous webs of panel section material. This may include two discrete rolls of panel section material, or it may be from a single roll and then split into two webs. The first and second webs are oriented with respect to one another to form a continuous feed of pouch blank with front and back faces and first and second opposite side edges. The continuous feed of pouch blank is heat sealed by forming a non-linear seal transverse to the first and second side edges to join the front and back faces, and forming a pouch arrangement joined to an adjacent pouch arrangement at the non-linear seal. The pouch blank is then separated into individual ones of pouch arrangements by cutting along the non-linear seal.
Preferably, the step of forming a non-linear seal includes forming a seal having a pair of opposite seal edges. Each of the seal edges has a plurality of spaced projections. This separates the pouch blank into individual pouch arrangements, where each pouch arrangement includes a side seal with a plurality of spaced projections adjacent to, or in communication with, the pouch interior.
In certain preferred methods, the method includes orienting a continuous base gusset between the first and second webs.
In an alternate process, a construction made using a form-fill-seal technique is provided with a non-linear seal.
In another aspect, the invention concerns a seal bar arrangement. The seal bar arrangement includes a rigid bar having a work-engaging surface. The bar is constructed and arranged to conduct and transmit heat through the work-engaging surface. The work-engaging surface includes a flat portion extending at least a partial length of the bar, and first and second side portions intersecting the flat portion. Each of the first and second side portions have an undulated segment and extend at least a partial length of the bar. In one arrangement, the undulated segment of the first and second side portions includes curved projections, each having a height of about 0.5-4 mm and a length of about 12-20 mm. In certain arrangements, the first and second side portions may extend a complete length of the bar. In a typical embodiment, the height is about 2.4 mm, and the length is about 16 mm.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
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Kapak Corporation
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Paradiso John
Vo Peter
LandOfFree
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