AU781597B2 - Container with closure device and multiple side seals - Google Patents

Description

CONTAINER WITH CLOSURE DEVICE AND MULTIPLE SIDE SEALS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to containers and, more particularly, to multiple side seals used with a closure device. The invention is particularly well suited for use on flexible storage containers, including plastic bags.

In the specification the term "comprising" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term 15 "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group :o of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term "comprising" such as "comprise" and 20 "comprises".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of closure devices for fastening storage 25 containers, including plastic bags, is generally known.

Furthermore, the manufacture of closure devices made of plastic materials is generally known to those skilled in the art, as demonstrated by the numerous patents in this area.

A particularly well-known use for closure devices is in connection with flexible storage containers, such as plastic bags. In some instances, the closure device and the associated container are formed from thermoplastic materials, and the closure device and the sidewalls of the container are integrally formed by extrusion as a single piece. Alternatively, the closure device and sidewalls of the container may be formed as separate pieces and then connected by heat sealing or any other suitable connecting process. In either event, such closure devices are particularly useful in providing a closure means for retaining matter within the bag.

Conventional closure devices typically utilize mating fastening strips or closure elements, which are used to selectively seal the bag. A slider may be provided for use in opening and closing the fastening strips. Some of these sliders may include a separator which extends at least partially between the fastening strips. When the slider is moved in the appropriate direction, the separator divides the fastening strips and opens the bag.

Plastic bags may have a side seal on each side to hold 15. the side walls together. One problem that has not been addressed by the prior art described above is the chance that the single side seal may not be able to fully hold the plastic bag together under certain instances. In particular, the sidewalls of the plastic container may be 20 forced apart from each other. This situation can happen in oO o such cases where the bag may accidentally be dropped or if something of significant weight were to be dropped on top of the bag. This situation is particularly a problem when the 000. bag is storing a liquid and the liquid will leak out of the 25 broken side seal. In addition, an unnoticed gap in the sidewalls would allow the bag to communicate air which could cause premature spoilage of the food. Furthermore, where the gap is noticed, the bag would have to be discarded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the teachings of the present invention, the container includes sidewalls, side seals, and a closure device. The side seals are used to securely fasten edges of the sidewalls together. The closure device includes interlocking fastening strips disposed along respective edge portions of the opposing sidewalls. The closure device may also include a slider slidably disposed on the interlocking fastening strips for facilitating the occlusion and deocclusion of the fastening strips when moved towards first and second ends of the fastening strips.

The side seals may be created by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing or an adhesive that attaches the sidewalls of the storage container together.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description of exemplified embodiments and upon reference to the accompanying drawings herein.

"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the present invention in the form of a plastic bag; Fig. 2 is a front view of the container in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 2; oooo Fig. 4 is a front view of another embodiment of the 25 container; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment; WO 01/94224 PCT/US00/40121 4 Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment; and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Figs. 1-3 illustrate an embodiment of a container 100 in the form of a plastic bag 120 having a sealable closure device 121.

The bag 120 includes a first sidewall 122 and-a second sidewall 123 joined at a first side seal 124 and a second side seal 125 to define a compartment accessible through the open top end but sealable by means of the closure device 121.

The first sidewall 122 and the second sidewall 123 are additionally joined by a third and fourth side seals 126, 127. The third seal 126 is parallel to and in close proximity to the first seal 124. Likewise, the fourth seal 127 is parallel to and in close proximity to the second seal 125. The third and fourth seals 126, 127 assist the first and second seals 124, 125 in joining the first and second sidewalls 122, 123.

The closure device 121 includes first and second fastening strips 130, 131 and a slider 132. The fastening strips 130, 131 and the slider 132 have a longitudinal X axis 102, a transverse Y axis 104 and a vertical Z axis 1.06.

The transverse Y axis 104 is perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis 102. The vertical Z axis 106 is perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis 102 and the WO 01/94224 PCT/US00/40121 vertical Z axis 106 is perpendicular to the transverse Y axis 104.

The first fastening strip 130 is attached to the first sidewall 122 near the top end of the bag 120. The second fastening strip 131 is attached to the second sidewall 123 near the top end of the bag 120. The fastening strips 130, 131 are located across from and substantially parallel to each other and are configured to allow the fastening strips 130, 131 to be able to interlock. The slider 132 is mounted onto the. fastening strips 130, 131 so that the slider 132 is restrained from being removed from the fastening strips 130, 131 but free to slide along the X axis 102. The slider 132 engages the fastening -strips 130, 131 so that when the slider 132 moves in an occlusion direction 114, the fastening strips 130, 131 interlock and the bag 120 is sealed, and when the slider 132 moves in a deocclusion direction 116, the fastening strips 130, 131 separate and the bag 120 is open.

Fig. 3 depicts a cross-section of the container in Fig.

1 and illustrates the first and third side seals 124, 126.

The first side seal 124 is disposed along the edge of the sidewalls 122, 123. The third side seal 126 is disposed in close proximity to the first side seal 124. The first and third side seals are disposed parallel to the vertical Z axis 106. There exists a small gap 128 between the first and third side seals. The second and fourth side seals 125, 127 may have a similar construction.

Figs. 4-5 depict another embodiment of the container 200 and illustrate first side seal 224, second side seal 225, third side seal 226, fourth side seal 227, fifth side WO 01/94224 PCT[US00/40121 6 seal 228 and sixth side seal 229. The third and fifth side seals 226, 228 are parallel to and in close proximity to the first side seal 224. Likewise, the fourth and sixth side seals 227, 229 are parallel to and in close proximity to the second seal 225.

Fig. 5 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the container in Fig. 4, along line 5-5 in Fig. 4, and illustrates the first, third, and fifth side seals 224, 226, 228. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the first side seal 224 is disposed along the edge of the sidewalls. The third and fifth side seals 226, 228 are disposed in close proximity to the first side seal 224. The-first, third, and fifth side seals 224, 226, 228 are parallel to the vertical Z axis 106.

There exist small gaps 240, 242, 244, 246 between the side seals.

In other embodiments, the container may include four, five or more side seals next to the first side seal and/or the second side seal.

The side seals may be manufactured by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or adhesives that attach the sidewalls together. The additional side seals, such as, the third and fourth seals, may be formed at the same time as that of the first and second seals. Alternatively, the additional side seals may be formed during another point in the manufacturing process. In addition, the additional side seals may be placed at varying distance from the first and second seals as needed.

Figs. 6-9 illustrate interlocking fastening strips of different configurations.

WO 01/94224 PCT/USOO/40121 7 As shown in Fig. 6, the fastening strips may be Uchannel fastening strips as* described in U.S. Patent 4,829,641. U-channel fastening strips include a first fastening strip 430 with a first closure element 436 and a second fastening strip 431 with a second closure element 434.

The first closure element 436 engages the second closure element 434. The first fastening strip 430 may include a flange 463 disposed at the upper end of the first fastening strip 430 and a rib 467 disposed at the lower end of the first fastening strip 430. The first fastening strip 430 may include a flange portion 469. Likewise, the second fastening.

strip 431 may include a flange -453 disposed at the upper end of the second fastening strip 431 and a rib 457 disposed at the lower end of the second fastening strip 431. The second fastening strip.431 may include a flange portion 459. The side walls 422, 423 of the plastic bag 420 may be attached to the fastening strips 430, 431 by conventional manufacturing techniques.

The second closure element 434 includes a base portion 438 having a pair of spaced-apart parallely disposed webs 440, 441, extending from the base portion 438. The base and the webs form a U-channel closure element. The webs 440, include hook closure portions 442, 444 extending from the webs 440, 441 respectively, and facing towards each other.

The hook closure portions 442, 444 include guide surfaces 446, 447 which serve to guide the hook closure portions 442, 444 for occluding with the hook closure portions 452, 454 of the first closure element 436.

The first closure element 436 includes a base portion 448 including a pair of spaced-apart, parallely disposed webs WO 01/94224 PCT/US00/40121 8 450, 451 extending from the base portion 448. The base and the webs form a U-channel closure element. The webs 450, 451 include hook closure portions 452, 454 extending from the webs 450, 451 respectively and facing away from each other.

The hook closure portions 452, 454 include guide surfaces 445, 455, which generally serve to guide the hook closure portions 452, 454 for occlusion with the hook closure portions 442, 444 of the second closure element 434. The guide surfaces 445, 455 may also have a rounded crown surface.

The slider 432 includes a top portion 472. The top portion provides a separator 443 having a first end and a second end wherein the first end may be wider than the second end. In addition, the separator 443 may be triangular in shape. When the slider is moved in the occlusion direction, the separator 443 deoccludes the fastening strips 430, 431 as shown in Fig. 6. Referring to Fig. 6, the closure elements 434, 436 are deoccluded and specifically, the upper hook portions 442, 452 and the lower hook portions 444, 454 are deoccluded.

The %interlocking fastening strips may comprise "arrowhead-type" or "rib and groove" fastening strips as shown in Fig. 7 and as described in U.S. Patent 3,806,998.

The rib element 505 interlocks with the groove element 507.

The rib element 505 is of generally arrow-shape in transverse cross section including a head 510 comprising interlock shoulder hook portions 511 and 512 generally convergently related to provide a cam ridge 513 generally aligned with a stem flange 514 by which the head is connected in spaced relation with respect to the supporting flange portion 508.

Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 16-23). At their WO 01/94224 PCT/US00/40121 9 surfaces nearest the connecting stem flange 514, the shoulder portions 511 and 512 define reentrant angles therewith providing interlock hooks engageable with interlock hook flanges 515 and 517 respectively of the groove element 507.

Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 23-28). Said hook flanges generally converge toward one another and are spread open to receive the head 510 therebetween when said head is pressed into said groove element 507 until the head is fully received in a groove 518 of said groove element 507 generally complementary to the head and within which the head is interlocked by interengagement of the head shoulder hook portions 511 and 512 and the groove hook flanges 515 and 517.

Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 28-36). Through this arrangement, as indicated, the head and groove elements 505 and 507 are adapted to be interlockingly engaged by being pressed together and to be separated when forcably pulled apart, as by means of a generally U-shaped slider 519. (U.S.

Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 36-41).

The slider 519 includes a flat back plate 520 adapted to run alongfree edges 521 on the upper ends of the sections of the flange portions 508 and 509 as shown in the drawing.

Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 41-46). Integrally formed with the back plate 520 and extending in the same direction (downwardly as shown) therefrom are respective coextensive side walls 522 with an intermediate spreader finger 523 extending in the same direction as the side walls at one end of the slider. Patent 3,866,998, Col. 2, lines 46-51). The side walls 522 are in the form of panels which are laterally divergent from a narrower end of the slider. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 51-55). The slider walls 522 are each provided with an inwardly projecting shoulder structure 524 flange adapted to engage WO 01/94224 PCTUSOO/40121 respective shoulder ribs 525 and 527 on respectively outer sides of the lower section of the flange portions 508 and 509. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, line 66 to Co. 3, line 3).

Additionally, the interlocking fastening strips may comprise "profile" fastening strips, as shown in Fig. 8 and described in U.S. Patent 5,664,299. As shown in FIG. 8, the first profile 616 has at least an uppermost closure element 616a and a bottommost closure element 616b. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 25-27). The closure elements 616a and 616b project laterally.from the inner surface of strip 614. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 27-28).

Likewise, the second profile 617 has at least an uppermost closure element 617a and a. bottommost closure element 617b.

Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 28-30). The closure elements 617a and 617b project laterally from the inner surface of strip 615. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 30-32). When the bag is closed, the closure elements of profile 616 interlock with the corresponding closure elements of profile 617. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 32- 34). As shown in FIG. 8, closure elements 616a, 616b, 617a and 617b have hooks on the ends of the closure elements, so that the profiles remain interlocked when the bag is closed, thereby forming a seal. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 34-37).

The straddling slider 610 comprises an inverted Ushaped member having a top 620 for moving along the top edges of the strips 614 and 615. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines The slider 610 has side walls 621 and 622 depending from the top 620. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines A separating leg 623 depends from the top 620 WO 01/94224 PCT/US00/40121 11 between the side walls 621 and 622 and is located between the uppermost closure elements 616a and 617a of profiles 616 and 617. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 26-30). The fastening assembly includes ridges 625 on the outer surfaces of the fastening strips 614 and 615, and shoulders 621b and 622b on the side walls of the slider. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 62-65). The shoulders act as means for maintaining the slider in straddling relation with the fastening strips by grasping the lower surfaces of the ridges 625. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 5, lines 4-7).

Also, the interlocking fastening strips'may be "rolling action" fastening strips as shown in Fig. 9 and described in U.S. Patent 5,007,143. The strips 714 and 715 include profiled tracks 718 and 719 extending along the length thereof parallel to the rib and groove elements 716 and 717 and the rib and groove elements 716, 717 have complimentary cross-sectional shapes such that they are closed by pressing the bottom of the elements together first and then rolling the elements to a closed position toward the top thereof.

Patent 5,007,143, Col. 4, line 62 to Col. 5, line 1).

The rib element 716 is hook shaped and projects from the inner face of strip 714. Patent 5,007,143,. Col. lines The groove element 717 includes a lower hookshaped projection 717a and a relatively straight projection 717b which extend from the inner face of strip 715. (U.S.

Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines The profiled tracks 718 and 719 are inclined inwardly toward each other from their respective strips 714 and 715. Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 6-8) The straddling slider 710 comprises an inverted Ushaped plastic member having a back 720 for.moving along the WO 01/94224 PCT/US00/4 0121 12 top edges of the tracks 718 and 719 with side walls 721 and 722 depending therefrom for cooperating with the tracks and extending from an opening end of the slider to a closing end.

Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 26-31). A separator finger 723 depends from the back 720 between the side walls 721 and 722 and is inserted between the inclined tracks 718 and 719. Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 34-36). The slider 710 has shoulders 721a and 722a projecting inwardly from the depending side walls 721 and 722 which are shaped throughout the length thereof for cooperation with the depending separator finger 723 in creating the rolling action in opening and closing the reclosable interlocking rib and groove profile elements 716 and 717. Patent 5,-007,143-, Col. 5, lines 43-49) Although .several interlocking fastening strip embodiments have been specifically described and illustrated herein, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that other kinds, types, or forms of fastening strips may alternatively be used without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

The interlocking fastening strips may be manufactured by extrusion through a die. The interlocking fastening strips may be formed from any suitable thermoplastic material including, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, or the like, or from a combination thereof. Thus, resins or mixtures of resins such as high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, and low density polyethylene may.be employed to prepare the interlocking fastening strips. For example, the fastening strips may be made from low density polyethylene.

WO 01/94224 PCT/US00/40121 13 When the fastening strips are used in a sealable bag, the fastening strips and the films that form the body of the bag may. be conveniently manufactured from heat sealable material. In this way, the bag may be economically formed by using an aforementioned thermoplastic material and by heat sealing the fastening strips to the bag. For example, the bag may be made from a mixture of high pressure, low density polyethylene and linear, low density polyethylene.

The fastening strips may be manufactured by extrusion or other known methods. For example, the closure device may be manufactured as individual fastening strips for later attachment to the bag or may be manufactured -integrally with the bag. In addition, the fastening strips may be manufactured with or without flange portions on one or both of the fastening strips depending upon the intended use of the fastening strips or expected additional manufacturing operations.

The fastening strips can be manufactured in a variety of forms to suit the intended use. The fastening strips may be integrally formed on the opposing sidewalls of the container or bag, or connected to the container by the use of any of many known methods. For example, a thermoelectric device may be applied to a film in contact with the flange portion.of the fastening strips or the thermoelectric device may be applied to a film in contact with the base portion of fastening strips having no flange portion, to cause a transfer of heat through the film to produce melting at the interface of the film and a flange portion or base portion of the fastening strips. Suitable thermoelectric devices include heated rotary discs, traveling heater bands, resistance-heated slide wires, and the like. The connection WO 01/94224 PCT/US00/40121 14 between the film and the fastening strips may also be established by the use of hot melt adhesives, hot jets of air to the interface, ultrasonic heating, or other known methods.

The bonding of the fastening strips to the film stock may be carried out either before or after the film is U-folded to form the bag. In any event, such bonding may be done prior to side sealing the bag at the edges by conventional thermal cutting. In addition, the first and second fastening strips may be positioned on opposite sides of the film. Such an embodiment would be suited for wrapping an object or a collection of' objects such as wires. The first and second fastening strips should usually be positioned on the film in a generally parallel relationshipwith respect to each other, although this will depend on the intended use.

The slider may be multiple parts and snapped together.

In addition, the slider may be made from multiple parts and fused or welded together. The slider may also be a one piece construction. The slider can be colored, opaque, translucent or transparent. The slider may be injection molded or made by any other method. The slider may be molded from any suitable plastic material, such as, nylon, polypropylene, polystyrene, acetal, toughened acetal, polyketone, polybutylene terrephthalate, high density polyethylene, polycarbonate or ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene).

From the foregoing it will be understood that' modifications and variations may be effectuated to the disclosed structures particularly in light of the foregoing teachings without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. As such, no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments described and illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. In addition, all references WO 01/94224 PCT[USOO/40121 and copending applications cited herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

are hereby

Claims (25)

1. A container comprising: a first sidewall and a second sidewall, said first sidewall includes a first fastening strip, said second sidewall includes a second fastening strip; a first side seal to be disposed along a first edge of said first and second sidewalls for joining said sidewalls at said first edge; a second side seal to be disposed along a second edge of said first and second sidewalls for joining said sidewalls at said second edge; a third side seal to be disposed along said first side seal.

2. The invention as in claim 1, wherein the container includes a slider adapted to be slidably disposed on said fastening strips and facilitating the occlusion of said fastening strips when moved towards a first end thereof and 20 facilitating the deocclusion of said fastening strips when moved towards a second end thereof. S The invention as in claim 1 or claim 2, having a longitudinal X axis and a transverse Y axis, said 25 transverse Y axis being perpendicular to said longitudinal ooo. S: X axis, said container having a vertical Z axis, said vertical Z axis being perpendicular to said longitudinal X axis, said vertical Z axis being perpendicular to said transverse Y axis, said first and third side seals disposed parallel to said vertical Z axis.

4. The invention as in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container includes a fourth side seal to be disposed along said second side seal. The invention as in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the container includes a fifth side seal to be disposed along said first and third side seals.

6. The invention as in claim 4, wherein the container includes a fifth side seal to be disposed along said first and third side seals and a sixth side seal to be disposed along said second and fourth side seals.

7. The invention as in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a gap is positioned between the first side seal and the third side seal.

8. The invention as in claim 4, wherein a first gap is positioned between the first side seal and the third side seal and a second gap is positioned between the second S""side seal and the fourth side seal. o* 9*

9. The invention as in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said side seals are manufactured by heat sealing. The invention as in any one of claims 1 to 8, 20 wherein said side seals are manufactured by ultrasonic sealing.

11. The invention as in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said side seals are manufactured using adhesives 25 that attach the sidewalls together. ooo•

12. The invention as in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said fastening strips comprise U-channel type fastening strips.

13. The invention as in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said fastening strips comprise arrowhead type fastening strips.

14. The invention as in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said fastening strips comprise profile type fastening strips. 18 The invention as in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said fastening strips comprise rolling action type fastening strips.

16. A method of manufacturing a container comprising: providing a first sidewall and a second sidewall, said first sidewall includes a first fastening strip, said second sidewall includes a second fastening strip; providing a first side seal to be disposed along a first edge of said first and second sidewalls for joining said sidewalls at said first edge; providing a second side seal to be disposed along a second edge of said first and second sidewalls for joining o. said sidewalls at said second edge; 15 providing a third side seal to be disposed along said first side seal. S 17. The invention as in claim 16, wherein the container includes a slider adapted to be slidably disposed 20 on said fastening strips and facilitating the occlusion of said fastening strips when moved towards a first end thereof and facilitating the deocclusion of said fastening strips when moved towards a second end thereof. 25 18. The invention as in claim 17, having a longitudinal X axis and a transverse Y axis, said transverse Y axis being perpendicular to said longitudinal X axis, said container having a vertical Z axis, said vertical Z axis being perpendicular to said longitudinal X axis, said vertical Z axis being perpendicular to said transverse Y axis, said first and third side seals disposed parallel to said vertical Z axis.

19. The invention as in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the container includes a fourth side seal to be disposed along said second side seal. The invention as in any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the container includes a fifth side seal to be disposed along said first and third side seals.

21. The invention as in claim 19, wherein the container includes a fifth side seal to be disposed along said first and third side seals and a sixth side seal to be disposed along said second and fourth side seals.

22. The invention as in any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein a gap is positioned between the first side seal and the third side seal.

23. The invention as in claim 19, wherein a first gap is positioned between the first side seal and the third 00 S *0 S 9 P b SOS. 0* 55 0 side seal and a second gap is positioned side seal and the fourth side seal.

24. The invention as in any one of wherein said side seals are manufactured

25. The invention as in any one of wherein said side seals are manufactured sealing.

26. The invention as in any one of wherein said side seals are manufactured that attach the sidewalls together. between the second claims 16 to 23, by heat sealing. claims 16 to 23, by ultrasonic claims 16 to 23, using adhesives

27. The invention as in any one of claims 16 to 23, wherein said fastening strips comprise U-channel type fastening strips.

28. The invention as in any one of claims 16 to 23, wherein said fastening strips comprise arrowhead type fastening strips.

29. The invention as in any one of claims 16 to 23, wherein said fastening strips comprise profile type fastening strips.

30. The invention as in any one of claims 16 to 23, wherein said fastening strips comprise rolling action type fastening strips.

31. A container substantially in accordance with any one of the embodiments described in the detailed description with reference to the drawings.

32. A method of manufacturing a container substantially as herein described in the detailed 15 description with-reference to the drawings. DATED this 2 nd day of March 2005 The Glad Products Company By PIZZEYS PATENT AND TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS *oo o