EP0454424A1 - Emballage double refermable et méthode de fabrication dudit emballage - Google Patents

Emballage double refermable et méthode de fabrication dudit emballage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0454424A1
EP0454424A1 EP91303656A EP91303656A EP0454424A1 EP 0454424 A1 EP0454424 A1 EP 0454424A1 EP 91303656 A EP91303656 A EP 91303656A EP 91303656 A EP91303656 A EP 91303656A EP 0454424 A1 EP0454424 A1 EP 0454424A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
package
recloseable
fastener
interengaging
double
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP91303656A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Dean F. Schwarz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Oscar Mayer Foods Corp
Original Assignee
Oscar Mayer Foods Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Oscar Mayer Foods Corp filed Critical Oscar Mayer Foods Corp
Publication of EP0454424A1 publication Critical patent/EP0454424A1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
    • B65D33/16—End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices
    • B65D33/25—Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners
    • B65D33/2508—Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners using slide fasteners with interlocking members having a substantially uniform section throughout the length of the fastener; Sliders therefor
    • B65D33/2516—Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners using slide fasteners with interlocking members having a substantially uniform section throughout the length of the fastener; Sliders therefor comprising tamper-indicating means, e.g. located within the fastener
    • B65D33/2533—Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners using slide fasteners with interlocking members having a substantially uniform section throughout the length of the fastener; Sliders therefor comprising tamper-indicating means, e.g. located within the fastener the slide fastener being located between the product compartment and the tamper indicating means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
    • B65B61/188—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements by applying or incorporating profile-strips, e.g. for reclosable bags

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to recloseable packages for hermetically sealing consumable products between generally opposing package side panels, and more particularly to recloseable packages for food products and the like which can be easily manufactured in tandem in which each distinct package has its own associated recloseable seal.
  • Certain processed meats and/or food products sold to consumers are sold in packages in which the processed meats or food products are mounted on a backing board.
  • the freshness of these food products such as bacon, sliced luncheon meats, cheeses and the like contained within these packages depends upon the extent to which the package is vacuum packed or gas flushed and subsequently hermetically sealed.
  • the purchaser does not use the food products contained within such packages at once, but rather uses them over an extended period of time.
  • the package cannot be effectively resealed in a manner to preserve the freshness of the food products stored within.
  • the purchaser must often repack the food products in a different suitably recloseable container.
  • the improved package of the present invention provides a solution to the aforementioned problems and also provides significant advantages in that it has two distinct package sections each with its own hermetic seal, interior of a package recloseable seal, which extends around the entire periphery of the product so that the recloseable package is liquid tight and suitably retains within the package fluids of the products contained therein, including water, juices, oils and the like.
  • the recloseable seal is permanently attached at its ends so that each distinct package section can be opened and closed repeatedly to remove portions of the package contents without destroying the integrity of the package.
  • a "zipper" seal consisting of interengaging components such as rib and groove fastener elements is the preferred recloseable seal means.
  • the recloseable seals associated with each distinct package sections are attached to confronting faces of the packaging films.
  • Interengaging fastener elements of the recloseable seals are provided in pairs each having a central interconnecting web and are adhered directly to the opposing package panels.
  • Each interengaging fastener element is permanently anchored to its respective opposing package panel and is sealed at the opposite ends thereof, which decreases the possibility that the package films may tear or separate when the package section is accessed.
  • Central web portions of the tandem package which separate the two distinct package sections preferably contain a tamper-evident feature in the form of a pair of lines or weakening extending therein which must be broken for the user to obtain access to the two package section recloseable seals.
  • the hermetic seal disposed around the periphery of the food product in each of the package portions of the tandem package has an easy open or peel seal portion located peripherally adjacent to the recloseable seal.
  • the peel seal is opened with digital pull-apart forces which are also used to open the recloseable seal.
  • the peripheral hermetic seal can maintain a vacuum, pressurized and/or gas-flushed environment within the package.
  • the peel seal area of the hermetic seal will be formed by effecting a face-to-face seal between two plies of plastic film exterior of the product with the strength of the seal permitting separation without destruction or tearing of either ply.
  • the recloseable seal of the packages of this invention are attached, in tandem, to the opposing package panels at the package mouth.
  • the separate recloseable seal interengaging fastener elements are adhered directly to the opposing package film sheets at respective package sealing flanges.
  • the opposing package film sheets are further adhered exterior of the recloseable seal interengaging fastener elements to provide a perforated tear strip which indicates prior opening of the package.
  • each of the distinct package sections has a first recloseable seal disposed proximate to the product and a second hermetic peel seal peripherally adjacent to and interior of the recloseable seal.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a recloseable package for food products and the like having a recloseable seal and a hermetic seal disposed near an opening of the package, the hermetic seal having a peelable seal area peripherally adjacent the recloseable seal.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of manufacturing recloseable product packages in tandem, wherein each package has a peel seal and a recloseable seal, wherein the recloseable seal elements are attached to the first and second package film, exterior of the peel seal.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of manufacturing recloseable product packages in tandem, wherein each package has a peel seal and a recloseable seal, wherein the recloseable seal elements are attached to the first and second package film.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a recloseable package 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention which is manufactured in tandem in the form illustrated in Figure 4 and is later separated from its adjoining counterpart package along a center line 60 into two separate packages.
  • the packages 10 of the present invention are particularly suitable for sealing a perishable food product, between two sheets or panels 14, 16 of flexible packaging film material.
  • the first and second film sheets 14 and 16 forming the package 10 can be made from a variety of materials including plastic films, multi-layered laminates or co-extrusions, thermoformable materials and the like.
  • a preferred plastic film for assembly of the packages 10 of the present invention is one which is impervious to air, oxygen or moisture.
  • each film sheet 14, 16 When the package film sheets 14, 16 are formed from a laminated construction, it is desirable to use a thin, inner layer which is impervious to air, oxygen or moisture in combination with an outer layer having sufficient flexibility and desirable structural characteristics so that the laminate can function as a package sidewall.
  • each film sheet will be shown as a single heat-sealable lamina. In actual practice, each film sheet will likely be a laminate of two or more layers which will provide sufficient protection to the product (e.g., oxygen and moisture barriers) and which can form a hermetic, and if desired, peelable seal at thin inner surfaces.
  • a surface of vinylidene chloride polymer plastic films such as "Saran”, or of “Surlyn” ionomer or of polyvinyl chloride in contact with a surface of an ethylene vinyl acetate plastic film, can form such desired bonds.
  • a single package 10 has a first film sheet 14 and a second film sheet 16 which cooperatively enclose a food product 12 positioned on the first film sheet 14.
  • the food product 12 or the like is desirably positioned on the first film sheet 14 to provide a peripheral margin 22 surrounding it.
  • the first and second film sheets 14, 16 contact each other around the food product 12 to form a continuous edge seal 24 extending around the periphery of the food product.
  • the first and second film sheets 14, 16 are drawn inwardly about the food product 12 or the like to conform to the contour thereof to provide the package 10 with improved rigidity for withstanding rigorous handling during transport and retail display and the like.
  • the package 10 has a first recloseable seal 26 which defines the package mouth 61 and is illustrated as a partial double interengaging fastener assembly 27 such as a rib and groove fastener assembly.
  • the interengaging fastener assembly 27 is applied to the first film sheet 14 in the form of a double fastener strip assembly having a first, or lower, fastener element strip 29 having two, generally parallel fastener elements 32 interconnected by a integral base or web 35 extending therebetween and a pair of second, or upper, fastener element strips 28, which are interengaged or interlocked with the lower fastener elements 32 and which are not interconnected by an integral web.
  • the interengaging fastener assembly 27 is illustrated in Figures 1-3 as one that is particularly secure for the illustrated type of package 10, namely having a length of interconnected, formed double rib elements 34 and two similar lengths of formed groove strips 32.
  • the interengaging fastener elements 32 and 34 of the recloseable seal 26 need not be limited to any particular number or type of interengaging fastener elements.
  • the ribs preferably project outwardly from the fastener element strips a sufficient distance to be securely interengaged with and held by their complementary grooves counterparts in the confronting fastener element strips.
  • Both the recloseable seal 26 and the interengaging fastener assembly 27 can take any number of various characteristics and configurations in addition to those described herein.
  • the double fastener assembly 27 has a sufficient width such that the package 10, when manufactured in tandem, can be easily separated from its adjoining counterpart along a longitudinal central line 60 between the interengaging fastener elements 32, 34.
  • the rear surface or the bottom interengaging fastener strip 29 and those of the upper fastener strips 29 each include transverse film sealing surfaces flanges 36, 37 which provide surfaces to adhere and seal the first and second film sheets 14, 16 to the recloseable seal interengaging fastener assembly 27.
  • the sealing flanges 36, 37 are integrally formed with their respective interengaging fastener strips 28, 29.
  • the flanges 36, 37 may also be formed as separate items and separately adhered to the fastener element strips by any suitable means such as heat sealing or adhesive sealing.
  • the sealing flanges 36, 37 of the interengaging fastener elements 32, 34 are sufficiently wide so that each flange has a large enough surface to adhere the entire width of the flange, including the fastener element, to the first and second film sheets.
  • the sealing flanges 36, 37 serve as package pull flanges 90, 91 disposed adjacently exterior of the recloseable seal 26 to aid in opening the package 10.
  • the lower element strip 32 has a sealing flange 37 which extends up to and terminates at the package top 65
  • top fastener element strip 34 has a sealing flange 36 which terminates underneath the package top 65, preferably at a position equal to the lower edge of a visually distinct colored portion 50 of the element strip sealing flange 37 at the package mouth 62.
  • the interengaging fastener assembly 27 is attached to the first and second film sheets 14, 16 by initially adhering the groove strip fastener element sealing flange 37 to a central portion 61 of the first film sheet 14. This may be accomplished by any appropriate means such as a suitable adhesive or as by heat sealing.
  • the food product 12 is positioned on the first film sheet 14.
  • the second film sheet is placed over the first sheet and product and is adhered to the recloseable seal rib element strip longitudinal sealing flanges 36 and 37 thereof, by heat sealing, by sealing with an adhesive, or by any other suitable means. Any air present between the first and second film sheets 14, 16 when the product 12 is inserted can be evacuated and/or the product 12 gas-flushed if desired.
  • the second film sheet 16 is further adhered to the opposite, or inner surface 38 of the groove element fastener strip web 35 and the colored portion 50 thereof.
  • the first and second film sheets 14, 16 are preferably dimensioned larger than the food product 12 to provide a peripheral margin 22 where they contact each other.
  • the first and second film sheets 14, 16 are bonded together in this margin 22 to form a permanent hermetic seal 44 which substantially encircles the product.
  • This bonding can be effected in any conventional manner, such as by heat sealing or by adhesives. It will be noted that because the double interengaging fastener assembly 27 terminates at its ends 80, it will not allow the user to separate the film sheets 14, 16 at the margin 22, and accordingly, the opening thereof will not interfere with or compromise the effectiveness of the hermetic seal 44 therein.
  • hermetic seal 44 As best seen in Figure 1, it is desirable to make a portion of the hermetic seal 44 which is peripherally adjacent the recloseable seal 26 and the food product 12, a peelable seal 46 to allow the purchaser simple and easy access to the recloseable seal 26.
  • the hermetic seal 44 may also be entirely of a peelable nature with the hermetic seal portion thereof having a stronger bond effected between the two films than in the peelable portion 46 so that the hermetic seal 44, for all intents and purposes, is non-peelable.
  • the inner, hermetic seal 46 is a secure, yet peelable seal 46 which maintains a secure seal between the food product portion 12 and the recloseable seal 26 during handling and storage that readily can be peeled back upon the application of digital forces applied to the recloseable seal 26.
  • the hermetic seal 44 and the product margin 22 can be trimmed to appropriate dimensions and the package central portion 61 may be provided with one or more lines of weakening 70 disposed generally parallel to and between the recloseable seal elements 26 and preferably spaced apart therefrom at the end of the upper fastener element sealing flanges 36.
  • the user grips the top portion 65 of the package at the tear strip 66 and tears it off along the perforated line of weakening 70.
  • the package mouth 62 is then accessed and the user grips the free edges of the mouth and applies digital pull apart forces to open the recloseable seal 26.
  • the recloseable seal interengaged fastener elements 32, 34 will separate and open the package mouth 62, thereby allowing access to the inner peelable hermetic seal 46. Further exertion of digital forces will separate the peel seal portion 46 of the hermetic seal 44, thereby allowing access to the food product portion 12.
  • Figure 4 illustrates a tandem recloseable package 100, which is the preferred form in which the packages of the present invention are manufactured.
  • a first film sheet 114 is provided having a sufficient width to accommodate two package portions 110, 210 disposed on opposite sides of a central portion 105 of the first film sheet 114.
  • An easily separable partial double fastener assembly 127 is applied to the central portion 105 of the first film sheet 114.
  • the double fastener assembly includes a pair of opposing fastener elements strips 152, 154 interlocked together.
  • the bottom pair of fastener elements 152 is of one-piece construction and includes a pair of fastener element strips 129, 229 disposed at opposite ends of a central, integral web 153 and interconnected thereto.
  • a pair of separate elongated fastener elements 128, 228 having the same length as the fastener element strips 129, 229 are interlocked therewith to complete the double fastener assembly 127.
  • the double fastener assembly 127 is then positioned on the central portion 105 of the first film sheet 114 to form the tandem package central portion and to define the two adjoining package portions 110, 210.
  • the first and second fastener element strips 152, 154 are preferably interengaged prior to applying the double fastener assembly 127 to the first film sheet 114.
  • the double fastener assembly 127 may be adhered to the first film sheet 114 by any conventional sealing means, such as adhesive sealing, heat sealing or ultrasonic welding.
  • the double fastener assembly 127 is preferably adhered to the first film sheet 114 along the entire width of its base surface 160, which serves as a double width package sealing flange 137.
  • the upper, separate fastener element strips 128, 228 also preferably each have a base surface which is sufficiently wide to serve as package sealing flanges 136, 236.
  • the food product 112 may be positioned on each of the two distinct package portions 110, 210 on opposite sides of the double fastener assembly 127 in respective product areas.
  • the second film sheet 116 having a width at least equal to that of the first film sheet 114, is laid over the first film sheet-food product assembly and adhered to the upper rib element fastener sealing flanges 136, 236 and to the central upper surface 162 of the groove element strip integral web 153.
  • the second film sheet 116 is further contacted to the first film sheet 114 around the peripheral margins 122, 222 of each of the two distinct package portions 110, 210 to form individual peripheral, hermetic seals 144, 244.
  • a portion of each of the peripheral hermetic seals 144, 244 may include a peelable bond area 146, 206 which is located interior or the recloseable seals 126, 226 and exterior of the food product 112.
  • the tandem package 100 may be provided with two lines of weakening 165, 265 in the web 153 of the double fastener strip assembly 150 such that each line of weakening is associated with a distinct package portion 110, 210. These lines of weakening are located approximately where the rib element strip sealing flanges 136, 236 terminate and the central web colored portion 170 begins.
  • the lines of weakening 165, 265 may be applied to the tandem package 100 either prior to or after the distinct package portions 110, 210 are separated into two packages such as by cutting along a center line 190.
  • the structure of the package of the present invention allows for the efficient manufacture of the same in tandem in continuous lengths which may be later trimmed to form separate tandem package units.
  • the first film sheet 14 may be received from a continuous feed stock and the double fastener strip assembly may be applied in a continuous fashion to the first film sheet.
  • the film sheet product assemblies may then be covered by a second film sheet also fed from continuous fed stock and adjoining tandem packages may be separated after the peripheral hermetic seals are formed. All components of the tandem package may be supplied from a continuous feed stock to form a continuous length of packages which can be separated into individual units.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
EP91303656A 1990-04-25 1991-04-23 Emballage double refermable et méthode de fabrication dudit emballage Ceased EP0454424A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US514636 1983-07-18
US51463690A 1990-04-25 1990-04-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0454424A1 true EP0454424A1 (fr) 1991-10-30

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ID=24048065

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91303656A Ceased EP0454424A1 (fr) 1990-04-25 1991-04-23 Emballage double refermable et méthode de fabrication dudit emballage

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0454424A1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH04242550A (fr)
CA (1) CA2039580A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998023498A1 (fr) * 1996-11-26 1998-06-04 The Coca-Cola Company Sachet souple facile a ouvrir
US6164825A (en) * 1996-11-26 2000-12-26 The Coca-Cola Company Stable, flexible, easy open pouch

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4246288A (en) * 1979-08-09 1981-01-20 W. R. Grace & Co. Reclosable package
EP0302144A2 (fr) * 1987-08-06 1989-02-08 Minigrip Europe Gmbh Sac refermable avec une fermeture du type fermeture à glissière et une fermeture interne non refermable

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4246288A (en) * 1979-08-09 1981-01-20 W. R. Grace & Co. Reclosable package
EP0302144A2 (fr) * 1987-08-06 1989-02-08 Minigrip Europe Gmbh Sac refermable avec une fermeture du type fermeture à glissière et une fermeture interne non refermable

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998023498A1 (fr) * 1996-11-26 1998-06-04 The Coca-Cola Company Sachet souple facile a ouvrir
US6076968A (en) * 1996-11-26 2000-06-20 The Coca-Cola Company Easy open flexible pouch
US6164825A (en) * 1996-11-26 2000-12-26 The Coca-Cola Company Stable, flexible, easy open pouch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH04242550A (ja) 1992-08-31
CA2039580A1 (fr) 1991-10-26

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