AU679004B2

AU679004B2 - Snap zipper and bag with the same

Info

Publication number: AU679004B2
Application number: AU50528/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Toyokazu Takubo; Kenichi Tanaka
Original assignee: Idemitsu Petrochemical Co Ltd
Current assignee: Idemitsu Petrochemical Co Ltd
Priority date: 1992-11-09
Filing date: 1993-11-09
Publication date: 1997-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2013-11-09
Also published as: KR100296391B1; ES2111719T3; KR940010950A; EP0731034A2; EP0597650B1; EP0731035A2; DE69324828T2; DE69316712D1; DE69324827T2; EP0597650A1; EP0731034A3; AU5052893A; EP0731033A2; EP0731035A3; EP0731033A3; DE69324827D1; EP0731033B1; EP0731034B1; DE69316712T2; DE69324828D1

Description

f 4.I"

AUSTRALIA

PATENIJTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION' NAME OF APPLICANT(S): Idemltsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.

ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys I Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

INVENTION TITLE: Snap zipper and bag with the same The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us.a a.

a. a a.

a.

a a a a.

a a a. a.

a a a a.

a. a a a. a a BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION i. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a snap zipper and a bag with snap zipper, which can be utilized in the fields of foods, medical products and grocery.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART Bags with zipper are used in many fields such as those of foods, medical products and grocery. In the bag with snap zipper, a strip-like snap zipper comprising a male and a female member is provided on the bag in a sealing portion thereof. Heretofore, various methods of producing bags with snap zipper have been proposed.

Among the proposed methods, there are one, in which a cylindrical film with a male and a female portion of a snap zipper is extrusion formed as a one-piece molding by using extrusion dies, and one, in which a tape with a snap zipper is produced and is thermally fused to a base film for forming a bag body.

In the former method the bag with snap zipper, which is produced as a one-piece molding from the outset, takes space due to the shape of the snap zipper. Its storage and 25 handling, therefore, are rather inconvenient. In addition, restrictions are imposed on the structure of the base film.

Accordingly, the latter method which is free from the o e above drawbacks is recently becoming a general method.

The snap zipper is usually made of low density polyethylene (LDPE) or polypropylene In many cases, a sealant layer (which forms the innermost layer of the bag body, and to "which the snap zipper is fused), is applied to a base film of the same material. For example, with a base film sealant layer of LDPE, the snap zipper is made of the same LDPE.

35 With a sealant layer of the same material as the snap zipper, the snap zipper can be sealed to the sealant layer without any trouble.

Meanwhile, polyester resins are excellent in their heat resistance and order retention property, and thus they are 41 al I P:\OPER\MLA\0528-93.003 7/1/97 0* 5 5 555*

S

-2used suitably as the material of the sealant layer of the bag body.

However, with a sealant layer of a polyester type resin which is a different material from LDPE or PP of the snap zipper, sufficient adhesion for fusing the snap zipper can not be obtained. Therefore, it has been difficult to use polyester type resins for the sealant layer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a snap zipper, in which at least a portion to be fused is mainly composed of a polyolefin type adhesive resin wherein said polyolefin type adhesive resin comprises one or more polyolefins comprising unsaturated carboxylic acid groups The polyolefin type adhesive resin has a structure, in which a mixture of one or more different varieties of polyolefin are partly graft coupled to an unsaturated carboxylic acid.

Among the polyolefin varieties are low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (L-LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), 20 polypropylene ethylene-butene-1 copolymer, ethylenepropylene copolymer, polybutadiene (PBd), etc.

Anhydrous maleic acid may be suitably used As the unsaturated carboxylic acid.

In the snap zipper according to the first aspect of the invention, only the portion for fusion need be mainly composed of a polyolefin type adhesive resin. Of course, the entire snap zipper including the portion for fusion may be mainly composed of a polyolefin type adhesive resin.

A snap zipper according to a second aspect of the invention features that at least its portion for fusion is made of a material mainly composed of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or a I gN O P:\OPER\MLA50528-93.003 -7/1/9 -2Apolyester type elastomer and that the resin of the portion for fusion has a bending modulus of elasticity of 10,000 kg/cm 2 or below.

In the snap zipper according to the second aspect of the invention, only the portion for fusion need be mainly composed of the PBT resin or polyester type elastomer. Of course, the 0*

I

0* 0 *o o *o e i, ras rr~r~ I~ entire snap zipper including the portion for fusion may be mainly composed of the PBT resin or polyester type elastomer.

If the bending modulus of elasticity of the resin of the portion for fusion is above 10,000 kg/cm 2 adequate flexibility necessary for the snap zipper can not be obtained.

Generally, the lower the bending modulus of elasticity of the resin, the lower is the melting points of the PBT resin and polyester type elastomer, and correspondingly the temperature of fusion to the sealant layer is the lower.

A snap zipper according to a third aspect of the invention features that at least its portion for fusion is made of a material having a composition including polyester type elastomer and a polyolefin type resin and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin and a polyolefin type resin and that the content of the polyolefin type resin in the composition is 3 to 50 by weight.

In the snap zipper according to the third aspect of the invention, at least the portion for fusion need have the above composition. Of course, the entire snap zipper including the portion for fusion may be composed of polyester type elastomer and a polyolefin type resin and the PBT resin and a polyolefin type resin.

The polyq~efin type resin used may be the same polyolefin as used for the snap zipper according to the first aspect of 25 the invention.

The content of the polyolefin type resin in the snap zipper is 3 to 50 by weight, suitably 10 to 40 by weight.

6. If the content is below 3 by weight, the shape retention is deteriorated. If the content is above 50 by weight, on the other hand, thermal fusion becomes difficult.

The snap zipper may, if necessary, contain suitable S additives (such as coloring agent, stabilizing agent, Santi-oxidization agent, slip agent, anti-static agent, anti-blocking agent, etc.). Slip agent are added usually.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a bag with snap zipper, in which the snap zipper according to either of the first to third aspects of the invention noted above is fused via the portion for fusion to a bag body.

q -Y It The snap zipper according to the first to third aspects of the invention permits use of the polyester type resin for the bag body sealant layer, to which the snap zipper is fused.

In this case, the snap zipper can be fused to the sealant layer without trouble. Besides, a sufficient strength of fusion between the bag body and the snap zipper is obtainable.

For the snap zipper according to the invention, it is particularly suitable to use the polyester type resin as the material of the sealant layer. pdwewe eept~V Examples of the polyester type resin are p-a3easte= -(PET),

A

polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin, polyester type elastomer, polycarbonate, etc. It is possible to use a blend resin composed of polyester and polyolefin type resins.

Such polyester type resins are excellent in heat resistance, odor retention and low drug absorption property, with the possibility of using this type of resins as the material of the sealant layer the following effects are obtainable.

Regarding the prior art snap zipper, aluminum has been used as the material of the bag body in order to provide the odor retention and low drug absorption property. However, it is possible to permit cost reduction of the bag body by using polyester type resins in lieu of aluminum. Further, the bag may be made transparent by dispensing with aluminum layer. By so doing, it is possible to obtain a bag, through which the 25 content can be seen while it provides the odor retention and low drug absorption properties.

The bag which can be produced by using such polyester type resin, is suitable for fields, in which heat resistance such as boil and retort is required.

30 As the material for the sealant layer may be used any resin other than the polyester type resins as well so long as it can be fused to the snap zipper. Examples of such resin are LDPE, L-LDPE, PP, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene-methe rylic acid copolymer (EMAA), ionomer etc.

As the outer layer material, nylon, PET, PP, cellophane, paper, etc. may be used as desired depending on desired characteristics.

The snap zipper according to the invention may be fabricated by any method. Usually, it is produced using Irn ft.

ft f ft ft I, ft.

t ft.. f ft...

f ft..

*0 f f *4 ft t ft1 4 4,

I

lt ft- Y0^ I I I 1.

extrusion dies having sectional profiles corresponding to its shape for molding it and then cooling the resultant molding in water.

Further, the shape of the snap zipper according to the invention is not limited to what comprises-a male and a female member capable of chucking together, and any well-known shape may be adopted so long as it is capable of sealing and unsealing.

The snap zipper may be fused to the bag body with well-known means such as heat, high frequency waves, ultrasonic waves, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing a male and a female member of an embodiment of the zipper according to the invention in a unchucked state; Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the same embodiment of the zipper in the chucked state; Fig. 3 is a front view showing an embodiment of the bag with snap zipper according to the invention; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the same embodiment of the bag with the snap zipper according to the invention.

25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) EMBODIMENT 1 A strip-like male and also a strip-like female member 12 and 13 as embodiment of snap zipper 11, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, were produced by extrusion molding them from a polyolefin type adhesive resin as material resin by using an S" extruder. As the polyolefin type adhesive resin was used "ADMAR SF700" (a trade name by Mitsui Sekiyu Kagaku Ltd.). TLh. melt flow ratio (MFR), density and Shore hardness 35 (D scale) of "ADMAR SF700" are shown in Table 1 below. The male member 12 is a one-piece molding and has a strip-like stem portion 14, a head portion 15 of a heart-like sectional profile and a connecting portion 16 having a rod-like sectional profile, which connects together the portions 14 and -II 1~ slM The female member 13 is also a one-piece molding and has a strip-like stem portion 17 serving as a portion to be fused, and a first and a second semicircular hook portion 18 and 19 formed on the stem portion 17 such that they face each other.

The free ends 18A and 19A of the hook portions 18 and 19 define between them a gap 21 which has a width substantially corresponding to the thickness of the connecting portion 16.

In such snap zipper 11, the male and female members 13 and 13 were brought closer, and the head portion 15 of the male member \2 was brought into contact with the hook portions 18 and 19 of the female member 13. Then the hook portions 18 and 19 were pushed apart with the head portion 15, and eventually the hook portion 15 was fitted in between the hook portions 18 and 19, as shown in Fig. 2. The performance of engagement between the male and female members 12 and 13 was evaluated from how these members were engaged. The results are shown in Table 2.

The engagement performance was evaluated as such: It was A (Excellent), satisfactory, if the male and female members 12 and 13 could be readily engaged. It was B (Good), common, if the two members could be engaged. It was F (Fail), defective, if the two members could be difficultly engaged or could not be engaged.

Then, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the stem portions 14 and 25 17 of the make and female members 12 and 13 were thermally fused to respective base films 23 of the bag body 22, and then three sides of the base films 23 were heat sealed, thus obtaining the embodiment of the bag 24 with snap zipper.

'The base film 23 had a five-layer structure with four innier layers, a polyester type resin layer (15 pm), a PET layer (26 pm), a polyester type resin layer (12 pm) and an 4.

"adhesive layer (5 pm), and an outer layer, a PET layer (12 pm). The innermost polyester type resin layer served as the sealant layer of the bag body 22, to which the male or 35 female member 12 or 13 was fused.

"The thermal fusion temperature in Table 2 indicates a mechanical strength of 300 g per 15 nm of width. It was measured by using a thermal gradient tester "HG-100" by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.).

r I-i~F. -cl ~C-Y The performance of thermal fusion between the zipper 11 and base film 23 was evaluated. The result is shown in Table 2.

The thermal fusion performance was evaluated as follows.

It was A, satisfactory, if a strength of 300 g or above with a width of 15 mm was measured by using the thermal gradient tester noted above. It was F, defective, if the strength in the same measurement was below 300 g.

In the column of the overall evaluation in Table 2, B indicates that both the thermal fusion and engagement performances are B, and F indicates that at least either the thermal fusion or the engagement performance is F.

EMBODIMENTS 2 to 4 Like the Embodiment 1, the individual embodiments of snap zipper 11 were produced by using polyolefin type adhesive resin. Then bags 24 with snap zipper according to the individual embodiments were produced by using the respective zippers 11.

As the polyolefin type adhesive resin of the snap zipper, "ADMAR SF170", "ADMAR SE800" and "ADMAR SE810" (trade names by Mitsui Sekiyu Kagaku CO., Ltd.) were used in the respective embodiments. The characteristics of these resins are as shown in Table 1.

As in Embodiment 1, the evaluation of the performance of 25 engagement between the male and female members 12 and 13, measurement of the temperature of thermal fusion between the zipper 11 and base film 23 and the evaluation of the thermal fusion performance were made. The results are shown in Table 2.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 1 TO V, Like the Embodiment 1, the individual embodiments of snap zipper 11 were produced. Then bags with snap zipper according to the individual comparative examples were produced by using the respective zippers. Incidentally, the used materials for zippers are shown in Table 2.

As in Embodiment 1, the evaluation of the performance of engagement between the male and female members, measurement of the temperature of thermal fusion between the zipper and base film and the evaluation of the thermal fusion performance were -v II-- It--s~k-e 8 made. The results are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 1 SF700 SF710 SE800 SE810 MFR190°C(g/10min) 1.0 3.4 4.4 7.2 DENSITY(g/cm 3 0.88 0.90 0.90 0.89 SHORE HARDNESS(D scale) 16 36 33 18 TABLE 2 NAME ENGAGE- THERMAL THERMAL OVERALL OF MENT FUSION FUSION EVALUA- RESIN PERFOR- TEMPER- PERFOR- TION MANCE ATURE MANCE EMBODIMENT 1 SF700 B 115 C B B EMBODIMENT 2 SF710 B 118°C B B EMBODIMENT 3 SE800 B 105 C B B EMBODIMENT 4 SE810 B 102°C B B COMPARATIVE LDPE B -F F EXAMPLE 1 COMPARATIVE L-LDPE B F F EXAMPLE 2 COMPARATIVE EVA B F F EXAMPLE 3 COMPARATIVE PP B F F EXAMPLE 4 Since the snap zippers 11 in Embodiments 1 to 4 are made of polyolefin type adhesive resin, they are satisfactorily flexible, excellent in the performance of sealing and unseal- 5 ing of the male and female members 12 and 13 (engagement performance) and satisfactory in appearance.

Also, with the snap zippers of these embodiments satisfactory fusion can be ensured even if the sealant layer of the base film 23 of the bag body 24 is of a different material 10 (polyester type resin) from that of the snap zipper 11, that is, the adhesion between the snap zipper 11 and sealant layer is satisfactory.

Further, since the temperature of fusion to the sealant 4 0* *6 00*

S

4 *P S( S. S

S

5 L -WEE '1i I C layer is comparatively low, the fusion can be readily attained. Thus, it is possible to increase the productivity.

In addition, it is possible to obtain bag 24 with snap zipper 11 which has satisfactory appearance.

With zippers in Comparative Examples I to 4, which are made of LDPE, EVA or PP resin other than polyolefin type adhesive resin, the fusion performance is defective although the engagement performance is satisfactory.

Embodiments A strip-like male and a strip-like female member 12 and 13 of the snap zipper 11 in these embodiments, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, were produced by extrusion molding using PET as material resin with an extruder, followed by water cooling.

These members were taken up on into rolls. The bending modulus of elasticity of the PET resin was 3,500 kg/cm 2 Of these snap zippers 11, the flexibility and engagement performance were evaluated. Further, the thermal fusion temperature was measured. The results are shown in Table 3.

The flexibility was evaluated with respect to the state of take-up of the male and female members 12 and 13. The evaluation standards were as follows. The flexibility was A (Excellent), satisfactory, if the rolls of the taken-up male and female members 12 and 13 were satisfactory in appearance. It was B (Good), common, if the rolls were 25 rather satisfactory in appearance. It was F (Fail), i.e., defective, if the rolls were unsatisfactory in appearance.

As for the engagement performance, the method and standards of evaluation were as in Embodiment 1.

*OeO The method of measurement of the thermal fusion temperature was also as in Embodiment 1.

SThen, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the stem portions 14 and 17 of the male and female members 12 and 13 were thermally fused to base films 23 (70 pm thick) of the bag body 22, and then three sides of the films were heat sealed, thus obtaining the bag 24 with snap zipper in these embodiments.

o The base film 23 had a five-layer structure having four inner layers, a polyester type resin layer (15 im), a PET layer (26 um), a polyester type resin layer (12 pm) and an oO ~adhesive layer (5 pm) and a outer layer, a PET layer Il CI 1 II~- 1I1 IC---CCSPR i- (12 pm). The innermost polyester type resin layer was the sealant layer of the bag body 22, to which the male or female member 12 or 13 was fused.

EMBODIMENTS 6 TO 7 Like the Embodiment 5, the individual embodiments of PBT snap zipper 11 were produced. Then bags with snap zipper 24 according to the individual embodiments were produced by using the respective zippers.

Incidentally, the bending modulus of elasticity of the PBT resin are shown in Table 3.

Of these snap zippers 11, the flexibility and engagement performance were evaluated as Embodiments 5. Further, the thermal fusion temperature was measured. The results are shown in Table 3.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 5 TO 9 Like the Embodiment 1, the individual comparative examples of snap zipper were produced. Then bags with snap zipper according to the individual comparative examples were produced by using the respective zippers. Incidentally, the kinds and the bending modulus of elasticity of the used resin are shown in Table 3,, Of these snap zippers, the flexibility and engagement performance were evaluated as Embodiments 5. Further, the S. thermal fusion temperature was measured. The results are S 25 shown in Table 3.

*t 9 TABLE 3 BENDING FLEXI- THERMAL ENGAGE- RESIN MODULUS OF BILITY FUSION MENT ELASTICITY TEMPER- PERFOR- ATURE MANCE 0 u 0 o o o0 ft. f ft.

ft ft PBT 3500 kg/cm 2 A 182° C A

EMBOD-

IMENTS 6 PBT 7000 kg/cm 2 A 190 C A 7 PBT 10000kg/cm 2 B 198°C B Ii-i--i ~e~C"Q 1 L C- C- I U 0* *s 0* .s o 5 o 05

S

0 *.0.OS .s

S

*s ss 11 PBT 15000kg/cm 2 F 210 C F 6 PBT 25000kg/cm 2 F 227°C F COM. 7 PBT 45000kg/cm 2 F 235°C F EXAM. iDEFECTI

VE

8 LDPE THERMAL A

FUSION

PERFOR-

MANCE

DEFEC-

TIVE

9 PP THERMAL A

FUSION

PERFOR-

MANCE

is COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES Since the snap zippers 11 in Embodiments 5 to 7 are m&de of PBT resin having the bending modulus of elasticity of more than 10000 kg/cm 2 they are satisfactorily flexible, excellent in the performance of sealing and unsealing of the male and female members 12 and 13 (engagement performance) and satisfactory in appearance.

Also, with the snap zippers of these embodiments satisfactory fusion can be ensured even if the sealant layer of the 10 base film 23 of the bag body 24 is of a different material (polyester type resin) from that of the snap zipper 11, thac is, the adhesion between the snap zipper 11 and sealant layer is satisfactory.

Further, since the temperature of fusion to the sealant layer is comparatively low, the fusion can be readily attained. Thus, it is possible to increase the productivity.

With zippers in Comparative Examples 5 to 7, which are 20 made of PBT resin, the flexibility and the engagement performance is not satisfactory and the fusion temperature is rather high since the bending modulus of elasticity is over 10000 kg/cm 2 With zippers in Comparative Examples 8 to 9, which are i 3 a '-II II

I

12 made of LDPE or PP resin, the fusion performance is defective although the engagement performance is satisfactory.

Embodiments 8 to 12 Like the Embodiment 5, the individual embodiments of snap zipper 11 made of polyester type elastomer were produced.

Then bags with snap zipper according to the individual Embodiments were produced by using the respective zippers.

In Embodiment 8 as polyester type elastomer was used "PELPRENE" (a trade name by Toyo Boseki Co., Ltd.), and in Embodiments 9 to 12 as polyester type elastomer was used "HYTREL" (a trade name by DUPONT-TORAY CO., Ltd.).

The bending modulus of elasticity and the melting point of the polyester type elastomer are shown in Table 4.

Of these snap zippers 11, the flexibility and engagement performance were evaluated as Embodiments 5. Further, the thermal fusion temperature was measured. The results are shown in Table 4.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 10 12 Like the Embodiment 5, the individual embodiments of snap 20 zipper were produced. Then bags with snap zipper according to the individual comparative examples were produced by using the a respective zippers.

Incidentally, the bending modulus of elasticity and the melting point of the resin are shown in Table 4, 25 Of these snap zippers, the flexibility and engagement performance were evaluated as Embodiments 5. Further, the Sthermal fusion temperature was measured. The results are shown in Table 4.

*0 j 'rl TABLE 4 BENDING THERMAL ENGAGEMENT RESIN MODULUS OF MELTING FLEXI- FUSION PERFORM- ELASTICITY POINT BILITY TEMPERA- ANCE

___TURE

8 PELPRENE P-150MS 1200 kg/cm 2 1700 C B 146'C A 9 HYTREL 4767 1100 kg/cm 2 199~C B 154*C A EBDMNS 10 HYTREL 6347 3960 kg/cm2 215'C A 200*C A 11 HYTREL 7247 6050 kg/cm 2 2190 C A 196*C A 12 HYTREL 2571 9500 kg/cm 2 2250 C B 163'C B HYTREL 2751 12800kg/cm 2 227'C F 202'C F

DEFECTIVE

THEMAL

COMPARATIVE 11 LDPE FUSION A EXAMPLES

PERFORM-

ANCE

DEFECTIVE

THERMAL I 12 PP-- FUSION A I PERFORM- I 4-1 -I -C 14 With the snap zippers 11 in Embodiments 8 to 12, which are made of polyester type elastomers with a bending modulus of elasticity of 10,000 kg/cm 2 or below, it is possible to obtain the same effects as in Embodiments 5 to 7 using PBT resin. The same effects can also be obtained with the bags 24 with snap zipper 11.

With the zipper in Comparative Example 10, which is made of polyester type elastomer, the bending modulus of elasticity is above 10,000 kg/cm 2 The flexibility ard engagement performance are defective. Besides, the thermal fusion temperature is comparatively high.

With the zippers in Comparative Examples 11 and 12, which are made of LDPE or PP resin, the thermal fusion performance is defective although the engagement performance is satisfactory.

EMBODIMENTS 13 to 28 A strip-like male and a strip-like female member 12 and 13 of each of snap zippers 11 in the individual embodiments, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, were produced by extrusion molding 20 using a material, which was composed of polyester type elastomer as a main material and polyolefin type resin as an auxiliary material, with an extruder, followed by water cooling. The kinds and proportions of the polyolefin type resins that were used in the individual embodiments are as in 25 Table The shape retention of the snap zippers 11 of the individual embodiments was evaluated. Also, the heat seal temperature was measured. The results are shown in Table The shape retention was evaluated such that the snap 30 zipper 11 was B (Good) if it was satisfactory in the shape of the head portion 15 and hooks 18 and 19 and substantially free from twist in the stem portions (tape portions) 14 and 17, C (Fairly Good) if it had slight twist in the stem portions 14 and 17, and F (Fail) if it had much twist in the stem portions 14 and 17.

The heat seal temperature was measured in the same way as above.

In the evaluation column in the Table, B stands for a snap zipper, which is B or C in the shape retention and a heat I- seal strength of 15 mm width of 300 g or above, and F stands for a zipper, which is C or F in the shape retention and has a heat seal strength of 15 mm width of 300 g or below.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the stem portions 14 and 17 of the male and female members 12 and 13 were then heat sealed to base films (70 pm thick) 23 of the bag body 22, and then the base films were heat sealed on three sides,thus obtaining the bag 21 with snap zipper in these embodiments.

The base film 23 had a three-layer structure with two inner layers, a polyester type resin layer (53 pm) and an adhesive layer (5 pm) and an outer layer, PET layer (12 pm), the innermost polyester type resin layer being a sealant layer of the bag body 22, to which the male or female 12 or 13 was fused.

The product manes and manufacture compEanies of the main and auxiliary materials used in thp embodiments and comparative embodiments are as follows.

Polyester type elastomer: One-to-one blend of "HYTREL 6347" and "HYTREL 2551" 20 PBT resin: "BZ11" (by DUPONT-TORAY Co., Ltd.) LDPE: "ACEPOLYETHY F151" (by Acepolymer Co., Ltd.) L-LDPE: "MORETECH 0368R" (by Idemitsu Sekiyu Kagaku Co., Ltd.) HDPE: "IDEMITSU POLYETHYLENE 540B" (by Idemitsu Sekiyu o 25 Kagaku Co,, Ltd.) PP: "IDEMITSU POLYPRO F-205S" (by Idemitsu Sekiyu Kagaku Co., Ltd.) COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 13 to 17 As in Embodiments 13 to 28, snap zippers in the individual comparative examples were produced. Then, by using these zippers bags with zipper in the individual comparative examples were produced.

The kinds and proportions of the polyolefin type resins used in the individual comparative examples are shown in Table As in the above embodiments, the shape retention of the snap zipper of the individual comparative examples were evaluated. Also, the heat seal temperature was measured. The results are shown in Table ,I I 16 TABLE

I;

MAIN

MATERIAL

KINDS AND

PROPORTIONS

OF THE MAIN AND AUXILIARY

MATERIALS

(wt%)

SHAPE

RETEN-

TION

HEAT

SEAL

TEM-

PERA-

TURE

EVAL-

UATION

13 14 16 3 1 C I 180'C B LDPE

POLYESTER

TYPE

ELASTOMER

LDPE 10 B 185°C B LDPE 20 B 190° C B LDPE 250 C *s *0* i S S S 17 L-LDPE 3 C 179 C B

POLYESTER

18 TYPE L-LDPE 10 B 168 C B 19 ELASTOMER L-LDPE 20 B 165 C B L-LDPE 40 B 207°C B 21 HDPE 3 C 182 C B

POLYESTER

22 TYPE HDPE 10 B 175 C B 23 ELASTOMER HDPE 20 B 170 C B 24 __HDPE 40 B 156°C B 25 PP 3 C 185°C B

POLYESTER

26 TYPE PP 10 B 195 C B 27 ELASTOMER Pp 20 B 218 C B 28 FP 40 B 233 C B 13 NONE 0 F 185°C F 14 POLYESTER LDPE 80 C F F 15 TYPE L-LDPE 80 C F F

ELASTOMER

16 HDPE 80 C F F 17__ PP 80 C F F S. s a is EMBODIMENTS is COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES EMBODIMENTS 29 TO 44 A strip-like male and a strip-like female member of each of snap zippers in the individual embodiments were produced by using a material, which was composed of polybutylene terephthalate as a main material and polyolefin type resin as an auxiliary material as Embodiments 13 to 28. Then, by using I I ~h ft* e f ft.

a these zippers bags with zipper in the individual Embodiments were produced.

The kinds and proportions of the polyolefin type resins that were used in the individual embodiments are as in Table 6.

The shape retention of the snap zippers 11 of the individual embodiments was evaluated. Also, the heat seal temperature was measured. The results are shown in Table 6.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 18 TO 21 As in Embodiments 29 to 44, snap zippers in the individual comparative examples were produced. Then, by using these zippers bags with zipper in the individual comparative examples were produced.

The kinds and proportions of the polyolefin type resins used in the individual comparative examples are shown in Table 6.

As in the above embodiments, the shape retention of the snap zipper of the individual comparative examples were evaluated. Also, the heat seal temperature was measured. The results are shown in Table 6.

TABLE 6 KINDS AND HEAT PROPORTIONS SHAPE SEAL MAIN OF THE MAIN RETEN- TEM- EVAL- MATERIAL AND AUXILIARY TION PERA- UATION MATERIALS TURE 29 LDPE 3 B 182 C B

POLYBUTY-

30 LENE LDPE 10 B 195 C B

TEREPHT-

31 HALATE LDPE 20 B 210 C B 32 LDPE 40 B 214°C B 33 L-LDPE 3 B 180 C B

POLYBUTY-

34 LENE L-LDPE 10 B 173 C B

TEREPHT-

HALATE L-LDPE 20 B 162 C B 36 L-LDPE 40 B 148 C B *t ft. f ft...

ftf ft .oo9 9..

S* 9 o* 99 *e 37 PO HDPE 3 B 185°C B

POLYBUTY-

a 38 LENE HDPE 10 B 180 C B 39 TEREPHT- HDPE 20 B 175 C B

HALATE

HDPE 40 B 161 C B 41 PP 3 B 185 C B

POLYBUTY-

42 LENE PP 10 B 181 C B I TEREPHT- 43 HALATE PP 20 B 170 C B 44 PP 40 B 163 C B 18 LDPE 80 C F F

POLYBUTY-

19 LENE L-LDPE 80 C F F

TEREPHT-

20 HALATE HDPE 80 C F F 21 PP 80 C F F is EMBODIMENTS 15 is COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES From Tables 5 and 6, it will be seen that in the snap zipper 11 in each of Embodiments 13 to 28, in which the male and female members 12 and 13 are made of a material composed of polyester type elastomer and polyolefin type resin, or polybutylene terephthalate resin and polyolefin type resin, the composition containing 3 to 50 by weight of the polyolefin type resin, the stem portions (tape portions) 14 and 17 of the male and female members 12 and 13 have only very slight twist, thus indicating satisfactory shape retention.

Also, it will be seen that these bags 24 twist snap zippers 11 have no problem in the fusion strength between the snap zippers 11 and bag body 22. Thus, the bag body 24 is excellent in the sealing and unsealing of the snap zipper 11 and is satisfactory in appearance.

The snap zipper in Comparative Example 13 had defective shape retention because it did not contain polyolefin type resin although it contained polyester type elastomer.

The snap zippers in Comparative Examples 14 to 17 had some twist in the stem portion (tape portion) because their polyolefin type resin, although contained, exceeded the scope I lr according to the invention in the content. Further, bags with snap zipper produced by using these snap zippers had problems in the mechanical strength of fusion between the snap zipper and bag body.

The snap zippers in Comparative Examples 18 to 21 had some twist in the stem portion because their polyolefin type resin content exceeded the scope according to the invention although they contained polybutylene terephthalate resin and polyolefin type resin. In addition, in this case the bag with snap zipper had problems in the fusion strength between the snap zipper and bag body.

As has been shown in the above embodiments, with the snap zipper and the bag with snap zipper according to the invention it is possible to obtain fusion of the snap zipper to the polyester type resin sealant of the bag body without any trouble and also obtain sufficient mechanical strength of fusion.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or i:I" variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

*e* 995

,I

Claims

1. A snap zipper, in which at least a portion to be fused is mainly composed of a polyolefin type adhesive resin wherein said polyolefin type adhesive resin comprises one or more polyolefins comprising unsaturated carboxylic acid groups.

2. A snap zipper according to claim 1, wherein said polyolefin type adhesive resin has a structure obtained as a result of partial grafting of unsaturated carboxylic acid to a mixture of one or more polyolefin varieties.

3. A snap zipper according to claim 2, wherein said unsaturated carboxylic acid is anhydrous maleic acid.

4. A snap zipper according to claim 2, wherein said polyolefin is selected from the group consisting of low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, 20 polypropylene, ethylene-butene-1 copolymer, ethyle-e- propylene copolymer and polybutadiene.

5. A snap zipper according to claim 1, in which at least a portion to be fused is mainly composed of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin or polyester type elastomer, the resin in said portion to be fused having a bending modulus of elasticity of 10,000 kg/cm 2 or below.

6. A snap zipper according to claim 1, in which at least a portion to be fused is mainly composed of polyester type elastomer or polybutylene 1~7--r 1 I':\OPIERMLAO52-93.003 7/197 -21- terephthalate resin and polyolefin type resin, the composition containing 3 to 50% by weight of said polyolefin type resin.

7. A snap zipper according to claim 6, wherein said composition contains 10 to 40% by weight of said polyolefin type resin.

8. A snap zipper according to claim 6, wherein said polyolefin is selected from the group consist.ng of low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polypropylene, ethyl-butene-1 copolymer, ethylene-propylene copolymer and polybutadiene. e.

9. A bag with snap zipper, said snap zipper having a portion .4 fused to a polyester type resin layer of a bag body and o wherein said snap zipper is defined according to any one of .4 O t t 0 claims 1 to e. 0*0

10. The bag with snap zipper according to claim 9, wherein said .4 polyester type resin is selected from the group consisting *:to of polyester, polybutylene terephthalate resin, polyester type elastomer, and polycarbonate.

11. The bag with snap zipper according to claim 9, wherein at least a portion -o be fused of said snap zipper is made of a material composed of polyester type elastomer, polybutylene terephthalate resin and polyolefin type resin. I,, P;\O1'2R\MLA5528-93.0G3 7/1M -22

12. The bag with snap zipper according to claim 11, wherein the content of said polyolef in type resin is 10 to 40%- by weight.

13. A snap zipper substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings and/or Examples.

14. A bag substantially as hereinbef ore described with reference to the drawings and/or Examples. DATED this 7th day of JANUARY, 1997 Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.

15 by DAVIES COLL7SON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the applicant(s) .9 4 4 4* 4 44 44 4 4 4* 9. 4 4 .4 4 404 4 .4.4 4 o 4 4 4 44 4. 4 4* 44 .4 R~ RA M ABSTRACT A snap zipper, in which at least a portion to be fused is mainly composed of a polyolefin type adhesive resin. The polyolefin type adhesive resin has a structure obtained as a result of partial grafting of unsaturated carboxylic acid to a mixture of one or more polyolefin varieties. At least a portion to be fused is mainly composed of polyethylene torephthalate (PBT) resin or polyester type elastomer, the resin in the portion to be fused having a bending modulus of elasticity of 10,000 kg/cm 2 or below. At least a portion to be fused is mainly composed of polyester type elastomer or polybutylene terephthalate resin and polyolefin rype resin, the composition containing 3 to 50 by weight of the polyolefin type resin. A bag with snap zipper, in which the. snap zipper according to either of the first to third aspects of the invention noted above is fused via the portion for fusion to a bag body. The snap zipper according to the first to third aspects of the invention permits use of the polyestei 20 type resin for the bag body sealant layer, to which the snap zipper is fused. *ft a S. S oot s