EP0881156B1 - Komplementärer Profilverschlussstreifen mit einer abreissbaren Abdichtungsschicht - Google Patents

Komplementärer Profilverschlussstreifen mit einer abreissbaren Abdichtungsschicht Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0881156B1
EP0881156B1 EP97401182A EP97401182A EP0881156B1 EP 0881156 B1 EP0881156 B1 EP 0881156B1 EP 97401182 A EP97401182 A EP 97401182A EP 97401182 A EP97401182 A EP 97401182A EP 0881156 B1 EP0881156 B1 EP 0881156B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
peel seal
film strip
peel
zipper tape
polymeric resin
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97401182A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0881156A1 (de
Inventor
Ronald L Ramsey
Lawrence Share
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.)
Illinois Tool Works Inc
Original Assignee
Illinois Tool Works Inc
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 Illinois Tool Works Inc filed Critical Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority to ES97401182T priority Critical patent/ES2236785T3/es
Priority to DE69732347T priority patent/DE69732347T2/de
Priority to DK97401182T priority patent/DK0881156T3/da
Priority to AT97401182T priority patent/ATE287833T1/de
Priority to EP97401182A priority patent/EP0881156B1/de
Publication of EP0881156A1 publication Critical patent/EP0881156A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0881156B1 publication Critical patent/EP0881156B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates, in general, to the packaging art, and, more particularly, is concerned with a continuous reclosable plastic zipper of a type which is used to close the mouth of a bag or package, and which includes a tamper-evident, non-reclosable peel seal with a feature giving a clear indication of the integrity of the peel seal.
  • a member having a plurality of ribs may be on one side of the bag mouth, while a member having a plurality of channels may be on the other side, the ribs locking into the channels when the sides of the mouth of the bag are pressed together.
  • the ribs may simply be the intervals between channels on a strip which may lock into another of the same kind.
  • some form of male/female interengagement is used to join the two sides of the bag mouth together.
  • the so-called members, or strips, are bonded in some manner to the material from which the bags themselves are manufactured.
  • pull flanges extend above the rib and groove strips, which pull flanges may be pulled apart for access to the interior of the bag.
  • reclosable plastic bags and packages are assembled using two interlocking rib and groove members which reclosably seal the plastic bag or package.
  • a strip-like area adjacent and parallel to one of the two interlocking rib or groove members is continuously given a treatment, for example, a flame or corona discharge treatment, to cause an adhesive to preferentially adhere to the treated area.
  • the adhesive which is applied to the treated area to form the peel seal, is retained on the treated area, rather than on the opposed interlocking rib or groove member not so treated, when the peel seal is broken for the first time. Thereafter, the peel seal remains broken, as the adhesive does not have an affinity for the untreated plastic of the opposite rib or groove number once it has been separated therefrom.
  • Peel seals are also disclosed in U.S. Patents Nos. 4,925,318; 4,969,967; and 5,188,461.
  • Each of these patents shows a package having a closure area comprising first and second opposed surfaces.
  • Profiled portions adapted to be releasably interengaged to permit connection and disconnection of the opposed surfaces, are secured to and extend over each of the opposed surfaces.
  • the profiled portions are each formed integrally with an outer layer of a strip material secured to the associated one of the opposed surfaces.
  • the outer layer of the strip material is formed of a material well-suited for forming a peel-seal weld with the other opposed surface of the package, such as a portion of the outer layer of the opposing strip material.
  • the profiled portions themselves, then, are formed from the peel-seal material.
  • the outer layer of each strip material is secured to the one of the first and second opposed surfaces via a base layer of the strip material to which the outer layer is secured by means of a non-peel-seal type connection.
  • the profile portions, being formed from a peel-seal material, are frequently damaged during the peel-seal welding process, or during the opening of the peel seal when the package is initially opened.
  • the present invention is defined in the appended claim 1 which is delimited in the two part form in view of document US 4 925 318.
  • the peel seal zipper of the invention comprises a peel seal zipper tape wherein first and second mutually interlocking zipper profiles, such as a male zipper profile and a female zipper profile, are disposed on a top surface of a laminated film strip.
  • the top surface of the strip is formed by a sealant material.
  • the laminated film strip includes three layers: a first layer of a sealant material forming the top surface thereof; a second layer below the first layer; and a third layer below the second, the third layer being of a non-peel-seal material.
  • the second layer is of a material that has limited bond strength with both the sealant material and the non-peel-seal material.
  • the zipper tape is folded over so that the zipper profiles disposed on the laminated film strip may be interlocked with one another.
  • the act of folding the zipper tape in this manner leaves portions having a surface of a sealant material facing each other, and portions having a surface of a non-peel-seal material facing outward.
  • Plastic sheet material is bonded to the outwardly facing portions of non-peel-seal material during the manufacture of plastic bags and packages.
  • the facing portions of the laminated film strip are sealed to one another.
  • the peel seal thus formed has the desired characteristic of providing a visual indication of having been initially opened, and is not resealable thereafter.
  • the initial breaking and separation of the peel seal sets up an internal stress within the polymeric resin material in the second layer, causing a whitening or discoloration that provides the desired visual indication of opening.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a representative embodiment of the peel seal zipper tape 10 of the present invention.
  • the zipper tape 10 comprises a peel-sealable laminated film strip 12, at least one male zipper profile 14, and at least one female zipper profile 16 interlockable with the male zipper profile 14 to form a resealable closure for a reclosable plastic bag or package.
  • Each male and female zipper profile 14, 16 is applied onto a base web 18, previously applied to the laminated film strip 12.
  • two male zipper profiles 14 and two female zipper profiles 16 are shown in Figure 1. It should be understood that the zipper tape 10 may, should a particular application so require, have only one male zipper profile 14 and one female zipper profile 16. It should further be understood that interlockable zipper profiles of designs other than that shown in Figure 1 may be used in the practice of the present invention, such as zipper profiles having interlocking rib and groove members.
  • the male and female zipper profiles 14, 16 may be extruded from a first polymeric resin material onto base webs 18 previously applied to film strip 12.
  • the first polymeric resin material may be polyethylene, preferably a low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
  • Base webs 18 may be applied to film strip 12 by extrusion from a second polymeric resin material and may be flattened onto the film strip 12 by passage therewith through a nip formed between two rolls.
  • the second polymeric material may also be polyethylene, preferably a low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
  • FIG 2 is an enlarged (relative to Figure 1) cross-sectional view of film strip 12, which will be seen to comprise three separate and distinct layers.
  • a first layer 20 forms a top surface 22 of the film strip 12 and comprises a third polymeric resin material.
  • the third polymeric resin material is a sealant material. Because the top surface 22 of the film strip 12 is formed by a sealant material, when the film strip 12 is folded in such a way that the top surface 22 is within the fold, the facing top surfaces 22 may be sealed to one another. Therein lies the purpose for incorporating laminated film strip 12 into the present invention.
  • the third polymeric resin material may be an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer material having a strong adhesion to polyethylene. This is especially so where the base webs 18 have been extruded from polyethylene.
  • EVA ethylene vinyl acetate
  • the third polymeric resin material (sealant material) of the first layer 20 should have a strong adhesion to the second polymeric resin material of the base webs 18, so that the base webs 18 may be firmly attached to the top surface 22 of the laminated film strip 12 when applied thereto.
  • Laminated film strip 12 also has a second (middle) layer 24, comprising a fourth polymeric resin material, and a third layer 26, comprising a fifth polymeric resin material which forms a bottom surface 28 for the film strip 12.
  • the fifth polymeric resin material is a non-peel-sealable material, so that the bottom surface 28 of the film strip 12 may be non-removably sealed to plastic film or sheet material from which plastic bags or packages are fashioned.
  • the fifth polymeric resin material may also be polyethylene, preferable low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
  • the fourth polymeric resin material of the second (middle) layer 24 separates the third polymeric resin material (sealant material) of the first layer 20 from the fifth polymeric resin material (non-peel-seal material) of the third layer 26.
  • the fourth polymeric resin material has a limited adhesion to the third polymeric resin material (sealant material), and a limited adhesion (incompatibility) to the fifth polymeric resin material (non-peel-seal material), so that the second (middle) layer 24 will separate from the first layer 20 and the third layer 26 in the region of a peel seal, when the peel seal is initially broken.
  • the forces associated with the separation cause a whitening or discoloration in the fourth polymeric resin material of the second (middle) layer 24 in the region of the broken peel seal, giving an obvious visual indication that the peel seal has been broken.
  • Peel-sealable laminated film strips 12 of the variety with which the present invention may be practiced may be obtained from Curwood, Inc. of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, U.S.A. under product numbers 1834K and 1837. Peelable films of this type are designed to be heat-sealed to themselves or to other films, and to be peeled apart under known, predictable forces. When peeled apart, the separation mechanism is delamination within the peelable film itself. The delamination, which comprises one layer peeling off of its neighboring layer within the film structure, occurs because the bond between the two layers is weaker than the bond between the peelable film and the material to which it is sealed. These films, when peeled open, usually show a frosted white imprint indicating where they had been sealed together.
  • Figures 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate how these peelable films function.
  • laminated film strip 12 is disposed adjacent to a film 25.
  • a heat-seal sealing bar 27 is disposed adjacent to laminated film strip 12 to heat-seal it to film 25.
  • Figure 3b shows the heat seal 29 produced by heat-seal sealing bar 27 between the first layer 20 of laminated film strip 12 and film 25.
  • Figure 3c shows the separation of heat seal 29 caused by the delamination of the second (middle) layer 24 from the first layer 20 and the third layer 26 when the heat seal 29 is broken.
  • the present invention combines peelable films of this type with reclosable plastic zippers.
  • the peel seal zipper tape 10 of the present invention may be used as described in the following example, although it should be understood that the use of the zipper tape 10 is not limited to the type of package shown in that example.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the zipper tape 10 shown in Figure 1.
  • Film strip 12 has been folded at each end and male zipper profiles 14 interlocked with their neighboring female zipper profiles 16.
  • the third polymeric resin material (sealant material) of the first layer 20 of the laminated film strip 12 is disposed within the folds 30, so that seals between the facing portions of the film strip 12 may ultimately be formed.
  • Figure 5 shows a typical next step wherein the laminated film strip 12 is cut or slit at folds 30, so that male zipper profiles 14, interlocked with female profiles 16, are disposed on short webs 32 of film strip 12, while female profiles 16 are disposed on long web 34 of film strip 12.
  • Figure 6 shows the attachment of a bottom sheet 36 of plastic packaging film to the underside of the long web 34, the underside of the long web 34 being that side of the film strip 12 formed by the fifth polymeric resin material (non-peel-sealable material) on the bottom surface 28 thereof.
  • Heat-seal sealing bars 38 bond the long web 34 to the bottom sheet 36.
  • Figure 7 shows seals 40 produced by heat-seal sealing bars 38 between long web 34 and bottom sheet 36. Pockets 42 are formed in bottom sheet 36 for a consumer food product 44.
  • FIG 8 shows the attachment of a top sheet 46 of plastic packaging film to the topsides of the short webs 32 and to the edges 48 of bottom sheet 36.
  • the topsides of the short webs 32 are that side of the film strip 12 formed by the fifth polymeric resin material (non-peel-sealable material) on the bottom surface 28 thereof.
  • Heat-seal sealing bars S0 bond the top sheet 46 to the edges 48 of bottom sheet 36.
  • Heat-seal sealing bars 52 bond the top sheet 46 to the topsides of the short webs 32, forming seals 54, shown in Figure 9. At the same time, heat-seal sealing bars 52 form peel seals 56 between the short webs 32 and the long web 34.
  • Figure 9 shows the end result of the process, two packages 58 filled with a consumer food product 44, each package 58 having a tamper-evident, non-reclosable peel seal 56 and a reclosable opening formed by interlocking male and female zipper profiles 14, 16.
  • the two packages 58 may be separated from one another by cutting at the point indicated by the dashed line 60.
  • the mouths of each of the two packages 58 may be sealed external to the peel seals 56, and may be provided with perforations, so that a consumer may tear open the mouth of a package 58 as a first step in gaining access to the contents (consumer food product 44) thereof.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)
  • Specific Sealing Or Ventilating Devices For Doors And Windows (AREA)
  • Sealing Material Composition (AREA)
  • Cable Accessories (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht, aufweisend ein erstes (14) und ein zweites (16) Profilverschlußteil, die gegenseitig ineinandergreifen, wobei die Profilverschlußteile auf einer oberen Oberfläche eines Streifens (12) aus geschichteter Folie angeordnet sind, die mehrere Schichten (20, 24, 26) aufweist, wobei die obere Oberfläche durch ein Dichtmaterial (20) gebildet ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Streifen (12) aus geschichteter Folie drei Schichten (20, 24, 26) aufweist, wobei die Zwischenschicht (24) gegenüber den beiden angrenzenden Schichten (20, 26) ein beschränktes Haftvermögen hat, derart, daß sich die Zwischenschicht (24) von den beiden angrenzenden Schichten (20, 26) trennt, wenn die abreißbare Dichtung anfänglich gebrochen wird, was ein Weißwerden oder eine Verfärbung in dem Bereich der gebrochenen, abreißbaren Dichtung bewirkt, um eine klar sichtbare Anzeige der Unversehrtheit der abreißbaren Dichtung zu liefern.
  2. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht nach Anspruch 1, bei welchem die ersten (14) und zweiten (16) gegenseitig ineinandergreifenden Profilverschlußteile aus einem ersten polymeren Harzmaterial extrudiert sind.
  3. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht nach Anspruch 2, bei welchem das erste polymere Harzmaterial Polyethylen ist.
  4. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht nach Anspruch 3, bei welchem das Polyethylen ein Polyethylen niedriger Dichte ist (LDPE).
  5. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht nach Anspruch 1, des weiteren aufweisend eine erste und eine zweite Grundbahn (18), wobei die erste Grundbahn (18) zwischen dem ersten gegenseitig ineinandergreifenden Profilverschlußteil (14) und der oberen Oberfläche (20) des Streifens (12) aus laminierter Folie angeordnet ist und die zweite Grundbahn (18) zwischen dem zweiten gegenseitig ineinandergreifenden Profilverschlußteil (16) und der oberen Oberfläche (20) des Streifens (12) aus geschichteter Folie angeordnet ist.
  6. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht nach Anspruch 5, bei welchem die erste und die zweite Grundbahn (18) aus einem zweiten polymeren Harzmaterial extrudiert sind.
  7. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht nach Anspruch 6, bei welchem das zweite polymere Harzmaterial Polyethylen ist.
  8. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht nach Anspruch 7, bei welcher das Polyethylen Polyethylen niedriger Dichte (LDPE) ist.
  9. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht nach Anspruch 1, bei welchem der Streifen aus geschichteter Folie eine erste Schicht (20) aus dem Dichtmaterial aufweist, wobei die erste Schicht die obere Oberfläche des Streifens (12) aus geschichteter Folie bildet.
  10. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht nach Anspruch 9, bei welchem das Dichtmaterial (20) ein drittes polymeres Harzmaterial ist.
  11. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht nach Anspruch 10, bei welchem das dritte polymere Harzmaterial ein Ethylenvenylacetat (EVA) Mischpolymerisatmaterial ist.
  12. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht nach Anspruch 10, bei welchem der Streifen (12) aus geschichteter Folie des weiteren aufweist: eine zweite Schicht (24) aus einem vierten polymeren Harzmaterial, wobei die zweite Schicht (24) unterhalb der ersten Schicht (20) ist und eine dritte Schicht (26) aus einem fünften polymeren Harzmaterial, wobei die dritte Schicht (26) unterhalb der zweiten Schicht (24) ist und eine untere Oberfläche des Streifens (12) aus geschichteter Folie bildet, wobei das fünfte polymere Harzmaterial ein nicht-abreißbares Dichtmaterial ist.
  13. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht nach Anspruch 12, bei welchem das vierte polymere Harzmaterial (24) ein beschränktes Haftvermögen in Bezug auf das dritte polymere Harzmaterial (20) und ein beschränktes Haftvermögen in Bezug auf das fünfte polymere Harzmaterial (26) hat.
  14. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht nach Anspruch 12, bei welchem das fünfte polymere Harzmaterial (26) Polyethylen ist.
  15. Profilverschlußstreifen mit abreißbarer Abdichtschicht nach Anspruch 14, bei welchem das Polyethylen ein Polyethylen niedriger Dichte (LDPE) ist.
EP97401182A 1997-05-29 1997-05-29 Komplementärer Profilverschlussstreifen mit einer abreissbaren Abdichtungsschicht Expired - Lifetime EP0881156B1 (de)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES97401182T ES2236785T3 (es) 1997-05-29 1997-05-29 Cinta de cierre perfilada con una capa selladora pelable.
DE69732347T DE69732347T2 (de) 1997-05-29 1997-05-29 Komplementärer Profilverschlussstreifen mit einer abreissbaren Abdichtungsschicht
DK97401182T DK0881156T3 (da) 1997-05-29 1997-05-29 Aftrækningsforseglingslynlåstæpe
AT97401182T ATE287833T1 (de) 1997-05-29 1997-05-29 Komplementärer profilverschlussstreifen mit einer abreissbaren abdichtungsschicht
EP97401182A EP0881156B1 (de) 1997-05-29 1997-05-29 Komplementärer Profilverschlussstreifen mit einer abreissbaren Abdichtungsschicht

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP97401182A EP0881156B1 (de) 1997-05-29 1997-05-29 Komplementärer Profilverschlussstreifen mit einer abreissbaren Abdichtungsschicht

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0881156A1 EP0881156A1 (de) 1998-12-02
EP0881156B1 true EP0881156B1 (de) 2005-01-26

Family

ID=8229763

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97401182A Expired - Lifetime EP0881156B1 (de) 1997-05-29 1997-05-29 Komplementärer Profilverschlussstreifen mit einer abreissbaren Abdichtungsschicht

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0881156B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE287833T1 (de)
DE (1) DE69732347T2 (de)
DK (1) DK0881156T3 (de)
ES (1) ES2236785T3 (de)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3416755A1 (de) * 1984-05-07 1985-11-07 Nyffeler, Corti AG, Kirchberg Kalt- oder heisssiegelbare mehrschichtfolie fuer wiederverschliessbare verpackungen
DK576888D0 (da) * 1988-10-17 1988-10-17 Schur Int As Brdr Fremgangsmaade ved fremstilling af poseemballager med oprivelig svejselukning, saadanne emballager med genlukningsprofildele, samt hjaelpemateriale til brug ved denne fremstilling
FR2686578A1 (fr) * 1992-01-27 1993-07-30 Alsacienne Aluminium Recipient, notamment pot ou barquette, comportant un opercule de refermeture pourvu d'une couche de vernis a pouvoir adherent permanent.
CA2129405C (en) * 1993-08-27 1999-12-21 Todd Carlson Zipper material and configuration

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK0881156T3 (da) 2005-05-30
ATE287833T1 (de) 2005-02-15
EP0881156A1 (de) 1998-12-02
DE69732347T2 (de) 2005-06-30
DE69732347D1 (de) 2005-03-03
ES2236785T3 (es) 2005-07-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5930877A (en) Peel seal zipper tape
US5774954A (en) Peel seal zipper tape
US5238306A (en) Method of producing a sealing system for a reclosable webbed-wall package, and system made
EP0657363B1 (de) Wiederverschliessbarer Komplementärverschlussstreifen mit Originalitätssicherungselement
EP1366999B1 (de) Wiederverschliessbare Verpackung
EP1375369B1 (de) Reissverschluss für einen Beutel
US5647671A (en) Closure arrangement having a peelable seal
US6030122A (en) Pinch-grip zipper
US5509735A (en) Closure arrangement having a peelable seal
US7048442B2 (en) Reclosable packaging for scoopable products and method of manufacture
US5664303A (en) Differential flange header package
US6290393B1 (en) Slider reclosable packages with dual peel seals
US5875611A (en) Offset sealing method for plastic films
EP0945359A2 (de) Beutel mit Reissverschluss und abziehbarer Versiegelung
AU765690B2 (en) Stand-up bag for flowable or pourable products
NZ232970A (en) Plastic bag with reclosable fastener strip and tamper evident seals inside and outside of fastener
US20030169948A1 (en) Reclosable packaging having hermetic zipper and related method of manufacture
EP0805018A2 (de) Kontrollierte abziehbare Versiegelung mit einer Vorbenutzungsanzeige
EP0881156B1 (de) Komplementärer Profilverschlussstreifen mit einer abreissbaren Abdichtungsschicht
EP1338525A2 (de) Wiederverschliessbare Verpackung
CA2308363A1 (en) Reclosable closure arrangement having peel seal, reclosable profiles, and slider device; and methods
MXPA97003073A (en) Dependable seal controlled with individual characteristics

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IT LI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19990601

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IT LI

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20030210

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: SHARE, LAWRENCE

Inventor name: RAMSEY, RONALD L

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IT LI

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69732347

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20050303

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: MICHELI & CIE INGENIEURS-CONSEILS

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20050525

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20050525

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20050525

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20050526

Year of fee payment: 9

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T3

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 20050531

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20050531

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20050608

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20050609

Year of fee payment: 9

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2236785

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

ET Fr: translation filed
26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20051027

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060529

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060529

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060530

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060531

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060531

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060531

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060531

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20060531

Year of fee payment: 10

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061201

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: EBP

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20060529

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20070131

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20060530

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: ILLINOIS *TOOL WORKS INC.

Effective date: 20060531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070529