EP1560757A2 - Procede de fabrication d'un emballage indiquant toute manipulation abusive - Google Patents

Procede de fabrication d'un emballage indiquant toute manipulation abusive

Info

Publication number
EP1560757A2
EP1560757A2 EP03809620A EP03809620A EP1560757A2 EP 1560757 A2 EP1560757 A2 EP 1560757A2 EP 03809620 A EP03809620 A EP 03809620A EP 03809620 A EP03809620 A EP 03809620A EP 1560757 A2 EP1560757 A2 EP 1560757A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
package
header section
closure
assembly
closure mechanism
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03809620A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
James E. Presto Product Company BUCHMAN
Greg W. Presto Product Company MELCHOIR
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.)
Reynolds Consumer Products Inc
Original Assignee
Reynolds Consumer Products 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 Reynolds Consumer Products Inc filed Critical Reynolds Consumer Products Inc
Publication of EP1560757A2 publication Critical patent/EP1560757A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
    • B31B70/74—Auxiliary operations
    • B31B70/81—Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings
    • B31B70/813—Applying closures
    • B31B70/8131—Making bags having interengaging closure elements
    • B31B70/8132—Applying the closure elements in the machine direction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a method of making polymer packages, for example, plastic bags.
  • the present invention relates to a method of making a resealable bag having a tamper-evident structure.
  • resealable containers to store various types of articles and materials. These packages may be used to store and ship food products, non-food consumer goods, medical supplies, waste materials, and many other articles. Resealable packages are convenient in that they can be closed and resealed after the initial opening to preserve the enclosed contents. The need to locate a storage container for the unused portion of the products in the package is thus avoided. As such, providing products in resealable packages appreciably enhances the marketability of those products.
  • Resealable packages typically utilize a closure mechanism that is positioned along the mouth of the package.
  • the closure mechanism often comprises profile elements or closure profiles that engage one another when pressed together.
  • Resealable packages also often use a tamper-evident structure to allow consumers to determine if the package has previously been opened.
  • these structures are attached above the closure mechanism, or are attached on the outside of the package. In those cases, it is necessary to fill the package prior to attaching or engaging the tamper-evident structure, or it is necessary to fill the package from the bottom.
  • the former method is inconvenient, as the package must be moved to a station to attach the structure while the package is full of product.
  • the packages that are made using this method are also susceptible to having product contaminate the closure mechanism as the package is filled through the top.
  • a method of making a resealable package comprises providing an assembly.
  • the assembly comprises a header section, a closure mechanism comprising first and second closure profiles constructed and arranged to selectively interlock.
  • the method further comprises providing a package comprising first and second panel sections joined together to define an enclosed region, first and second opposite side edges, a bottom and a mouth that provides access to the enclosed region.
  • the method comprises attaching the assembly to the package such that the header section is attached to the closure mechanism at a point between the closure profiles and the bottom of the package.
  • a header and closure mechanism assembly for use in a resealable package.
  • the assembly consists of a header section comprising two sides joined together defining first and second mouths, the first and second mouths being in fluid communication with each other; and a closure mechanism comprising first and second closure profiles, the first and second closure profiles constructed and arranged to selectively interlock.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible, resealable package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an elevated, side view of the resealable package of Fig. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the resealable package of Fig. 1, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flexible, resealable package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is an elevated, side view of a consumer opening the resealable package of Fig. 4.
  • FIG. 6 is an elevated, side view of the resealable package of Fig. 4 after it has been opened.
  • FIG. 7 is an elevated, perspective view of a component used in constructing the header section and closure mechanism assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is an elevated, perspective view of a component used in constructing the header section and closure mechanism assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9a is an elevated, perspective view of a component used in constructing the header section and closure mechanism assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9b is an elevated, perspective view of a component used in constructing the header section and closure mechanism assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10a is an elevated, perspective view of a component used in constructing the header section and closure mechanism assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10b is a bottom view of the component used in constructing the header section and closure mechanism illustrated in Fig. 10a.
  • FIG. 11 is an elevated, perspective view of a partially constructed header section and closure mechanism assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 is an elevated, perspective view of a partially constructed header section and closure mechanism assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 13 is an elevated, perspective view of a partially constructed header section and closure mechanism assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 14 is an elevated, perspective view of a partially constructed header section and closure mechanism assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 15 is an elevated, perspective view of a header section and closure mechanism assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 16 is an elevated, perspective view of a partially constructed, resealable package in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 17 is an elevated, perspective view of a flexible, resealable package in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 18a is a largely schematic view of a portion of a process for constructing a flexible, resealable package in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figs. 1-3 illustrate an example of a resealable, flexible package 10 having a closure mechanism 20 with first and second closure profiles 33,35 and a slider device 30 to open and close the profiles 33,35.
  • the flexible package 10 includes first and second opposed panel sections 12, 14 made from a flexible, polymeric film.
  • the first and second panel sections 12,14 are heat-sealed together along two edges 13,17 and meet at a fold line in order to form a three-edged containment section for a product within the interior of the package 10.
  • the fold line comprises the bottom edge 15.
  • two separate panel sections 12,14 of polymeric film may be used and heat-sealed together along the two edges 13,17 and at the bottom 15.
  • the flexible package 10 also includes a closure mechanism 20 made in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the closure mechanism 20 includes first and second closure profiles 33,35.
  • the first and second closure profiles 33,35 may be of any appropriate design known in the art.
  • Example closure profiles are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,983,466, 5,947,603, and 6,217,215).
  • a slider device 30 is mounted on the closure mechanism 20 to facilitate the opening and closing of the closure mechanism 20.
  • Slider devices and how the function to open and close such mechanisms, in general, are taught, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,063,644, 5,301,394, 5,442,837 and 5,664,229, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.
  • a preferred slider device is taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,293,701 and D434,345 which are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
  • slider stop areas Two portions of the closure mechanism 20, one close to the first side edge 13 and another close to the second side edge 17, act as slider stop areas. These slider stop areas are preferably crushed, such as by ultrasonic crushing, shown as crush areas 23,27 in Fig. 2.
  • the slider stop areas or crush areas 23,27 securely seal the first and second closure profiles 33,35 together to minimize the chance of the slider device 30 sliding off the side edges 13,17 of the package 10.
  • the slider stop areas or crush areas 23,27 further minimize the tendency for slider device 30 to abut against either of the first side edge 13 or the second side edge 17, and may in fact entirely preclude contact between the slider device 30 and either side edge 13,17.
  • a notch 21 (shown in Fig. 1) is preferably disposed within the closure mechanism 20.
  • the notch 21 is designed to provide a "park place” into which the slider 30 settles when the closure mechanism 20 is sealed.
  • the notch 21 decreases the chances an incomplete interlock between the first and second closure profiles 33,35. Examples of notches are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,067,208 and 5,301,395, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the flexible package 10 also preferably includes a tamper-evident header section 40 that is attached to the closure mechanism 20 at the seal 41.
  • the header section 40 comprises two sides 45,47 (shown most clearly in Fig. 3) sealed together along the two edges 46,48.
  • the two sides 45,47 define first and second mouths 42,44 (shown in Fig. 3). Access to the interior 11 of the flexible package 10 can be gained through the first and second mouths 42,44.
  • the header section 40 includes a preferential area of weakness 38 that extends along a portion of the header section 40.
  • the preferential area of weakness 38 is included to facilitate removal of the header section 40 from the package 10.
  • the header section 40 may also include a notch 39 (shown in Fig. 2) at one or both of the intersections of the preferential area of weakness 38 and the sides 45,47.
  • the notch 39 acts as a "starter" for removing the header section 40 from the package 10 by tearing the header 40 at the preferential area of weakness 38.
  • the header section 40 is preferably attached to the closure mechanism 20 at a point 41 where, when the closure mechanism 20 is attached to the side panels 12,14, the point 41 is between the closure profiles 33,35 and the bottom 15 of the package 10.
  • the header section 40 extends from the attachment point 41 and between the first and second closure profiles 33,35.
  • the header section 40 extends well past the first and second closure profiles 33,35. In this way, when package 10 is filled with a product through the mouth 42 of the header section 40 the first and second closure profiles 33, 35 are protected from contamination by the product. After a product has been placed in the interior 11 of the package 10, the mouth 42 of the header section 40 is sealed, as illustrated in Fig. 4.
  • the consumer In order to gain access to the product once the package 10 has been filled and sealed, the consumer simply removes the header section 40, as illustrated in Fig. 5. For example, the header section 40 may be removed by tearing, starting at the notch 39, along the preferential area of weakness 38. Once the header section 40 is removed, the closure mechanism 20 may be sealed (or re-sealed) by sliding the slider 30 along the length of the package 10, as shown in Fig. 6.
  • Figs. 7-17 illustrate a method of manufacturing the package 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 7 shows the first and second header sides 45,47 joined together at the header bottom, 43.
  • the first and second header sides 45,47 may be provided as separate sheets that are sealed together at the bottom 43.
  • the first and second header sides 45,47 are formed by providing a single sheet of material that is then folded in half at the bottom 43.
  • the preferential area of weakness, 38 is formed on the header sides 45,47, as shown in Fig. 8.
  • the preferential area of weakness 38 is provided by scoring the header sides 45,47, in a manner that is known in the art.
  • the header sides 45,47 may be scored individually, but are preferably scored simultaneously. Alternatively, a single sheet of material may be provided that is pre-scored prior to folding the sheet.
  • the header sides 45,47 are sealed together at the seals 48a, 46a.
  • the seals 48a, 46a are preferably formed by heat sealing or by other means such as compression, ultrasonic welding, vibration welding or adhesives.
  • the seals 48a,46a eventually comprise the header edges 48,46, as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the seals 48a,46a are L-shaped, with the bottom edge of the seal aligned with the preferential area of weakness 38. This allows for the starter notch 39 to be formed in later steps at the corner of the L (as shown in Fig. 10).
  • seals 48a,46a in this embodiment are L-shaped, the seals may also be C-shaped, or any other appropriate shape known in the art. It is noted that sealing the header sides 45,47 together defines the header mouth 42. Mouth 44 is created by eliminating a portion of the bottom 43, as illustrated in Fig. 9a. The portion that is eliminated creates the mouth 44, that is in fluid communication with the mouth 42, as illustrated in Fig. 10b. The portion eliminated to create the mouth 44 may be removed by any appropriate means known in the art, for example, by punching out or cutting out the desired portion. The formation of the seals 48a,46a results in the formation of a header section 40 having a mouth 44 that is smaller relative to the mouth 42.
  • the sections 48b,46b inside of the L-shaped seals 48a,46a are removed, as illustrated in Fig. 10a.
  • the sections 48b,46b may be removed by any suitable means known in the art. Preferably, sections 48b,46b are removed by use of a punch-out apparatus.
  • the header section is notched at the corners of the L-shaped seals 48a,46a.
  • the notches 39a,3 9b are aligned with the preferential area of weakness 38.
  • the notches 39a,39b may preferably act as starters for removing the header section 40 at the preferential area of weakness 38 when it is desirable to open the package 10 for the first time.
  • the header section may contain no notches, one of the notches 39a,39b or both of the notches 39a,39b.
  • the header section 40 After the header section 40 is completed, it is placed between the first and second closure profiles 33,35 as illustrated in Fig. 11. If the first and second closure profiles 33,35 are provided in an engaged state, they must first be separated. Once they are separated, the header section 40 is placed between the first and second closure profiles 33,35.
  • the header section 40 is positioned such that the preferential area of weakness 38 is disposed beneath the interlocking closure members (as shown in Fig. 3). By “beneath” it is meant that the preferential area of weakness is placed in a position that will be between the interlocking closure members and the bottom 15 of the package 10, once the closure mechanism 20 is attached to the side panels 12,14 of the package 10.
  • header section 40 When the header section 40 is properly positioned between the first and second closure profiles 33,35, it is attached to the first and second closure profiles 33,35, as illustrated in Fig. 12. Preferably, the header section 40 is attached to the first and second closure profiles 33,35 by heat sealing.
  • the slider 30 is placed on the closure mechanism 20.
  • the slider 30 may be placed on the closure mechanism 20 by several means, examples of which are discussed below.
  • closure mechanism 20 is also notched, to provide the notch 21 as a "resting place” for the slider 30 when the slider 30 is moved into the fully closed positioned.
  • Spot seals 23,27 may also be provided on the ends of the closure mechanism 20. The spot seals 23,27 are provided to help prevent the slider 30 from sliding off of the closure mechanism 20 and to halt the travel of the slider 30. This completes the construction of assembly 70.
  • Figs. 16-17 illustrate the steps of positioning the assembly between the side panels 12,14 of the package 10, and attaching the side panels 12,14 of the package 10 to the assembly 70.
  • the side panels 12,14 are sealed together at edges 13,17 to complete construction of the package 10.
  • the mouth 42 is opened and product is dispensed through mouth 42, through the mouth 44, and into the interior 11 of the package 10.
  • the header section because it is joined to the closure mechanism 20 beneath the interlocking closure members and passes between those interlocking closure members, protects the interlocking closure members from the possibility of contamination by product as the package 10 is being filled.
  • the mouth 42 of the header section 40 is then sealed to form a tamper-evident structure.
  • Fig. 18a illustrates one embodiment of a continuous process for producing the resealable package 10 of the present invention.
  • the process starts with a spool 100 of pre-folded header material.
  • the material is unrolled from spool 100 and fed past score line applicator 102 which applies the preferential area of weakness 38.
  • the spool 100 of pre-folded header material may have been pre-scored.
  • the header material continues in-line to sealing station 104, where the L-shaped seals 48a,46a are formed, for example, by heat sealing.
  • the material inside the L is punched out at punching station 106.
  • the header material then passes over the spool 108 of closure profiles 33,35.
  • the header material is inserted between the closure profiles 33,35, as described above. Once the header material is between the closure profiles 33,35, the header material and closure profiles 33,35 pass through the slider application station 110.
  • the slider application station 110 applies the slider 30 to the closure mechanism
  • header assembly 70 passes to a typical horizontal form fill and seal machine.
  • the material comprising the side panels 12,14 of resealable package 10 is provided on a roll.
  • the material is unwound and passes over a folding board to form the two side panels 12,14.
  • the side panels 12,14 are then heat sealed to the closure profiles 33,35.
  • the header assembly 70 travels over the upper edge of the film after it travels over the folding board instead of passing through the slot in the folding board, thus being positioned between the side panels 12,14.
  • Other embodiments may include utilizing a tube or guide mechanism to position the header assembly 70 between the side panels 12,14.
  • the continuous line of packages continues to sealing bars that seal the sides 13,17 of the package 10.
  • the packages then pass under a hopper that contains the product to be placed in package 10.
  • product passes tlirough the mouth 42 and the mouth 44 of the header section 40 and into the interior 11 of the package 10.
  • the mouth 42 is then sealed by the sealing bars to form the tamper-evident structure.
  • the continuous line of packages is separated into individual packages by a cutting knife.
  • header assembly 70 may be incorporated into other package manufacturing processes known in the art, such as a horizontal-form vertical-fill-seal method, a pre-made pouch method, and a fill seal method.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)
  • Cartons (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de fabrication d'un emballage refermable, consistant à mettre en oeuvre un ensemble comportant une étiquette fermoir et un mécanisme de fermeture pourvu d'un premier et d'un deuxième profilé de fermeture conçus et disposés de manière à s'engager sélectivement. Ledit procédé consiste également à mettre en oeuvre un emballage comportant une première et une deuxième section panneau jointes mutuellement de manière à définir une zone renfermée, une première et une deuxième arête de bords opposés, un fond et une ouverture donnant accès à la zone renfermée. Ledit procédé consiste finalement à fixer l'ensemble à l'emballage de manière que la section de l'étiquette fermoir est fixée au mécanisme de fermeture au niveau d'un point situé entre les profilés de fermeture et le fond de l'emballage.
EP03809620A 2002-10-23 2003-10-22 Procede de fabrication d'un emballage indiquant toute manipulation abusive Withdrawn EP1560757A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US278461 2002-10-23
US10/278,461 US20040079052A1 (en) 2002-10-23 2002-10-23 Method of manufacturing tamper evident package
PCT/US2003/033566 WO2004037655A2 (fr) 2002-10-23 2003-10-22 Procede de fabrication d'un emballage indiquant toute manipulation abusive

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1560757A2 true EP1560757A2 (fr) 2005-08-10

Family

ID=32106549

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03809620A Withdrawn EP1560757A2 (fr) 2002-10-23 2003-10-22 Procede de fabrication d'un emballage indiquant toute manipulation abusive

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20040079052A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1560757A2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2004037655A2 (fr)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3346883A (en) * 1965-10-21 1967-10-17 Louise Sandler Receptacles
US3746215A (en) * 1971-01-29 1973-07-17 A Ausnit Reclosable sealed pouring bag
US3991801A (en) * 1975-06-23 1976-11-16 Steven Ausnit Plastic fasteners with connecting web
US4892414A (en) * 1988-07-05 1990-01-09 Minigrip, Inc. Bags with reclosable plastic fastener having automatic sealing gasket means
US6347885B1 (en) * 2000-01-18 2002-02-19 Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc. Reclosable package having a zipper closure, slider device and tamper-evident structure

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2004037655A2 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2004037655A2 (fr) 2004-05-06
WO2004037655A3 (fr) 2005-04-07
US20040079052A1 (en) 2004-04-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0936993B1 (fr) Procede de fabrication d'un emballage hermetique, refermable, fait d'une matiere flexible
CA2776965C (fr) Carton pourvu d'une etiquette fermoir refermable en plastique
EP1194339B1 (fr) Systeme pour la manufacture d'un emballage refermable dote d'un dispositif de glissiere et d'une structure d'inviolabilite, et procedes de fabrication
CA2070937C (fr) Sacs de plastique reutilisables et methode de fabrication au moyen d'une bande dechirable discontinue
EP0516393B1 (fr) Sachet refermable et procédé et dispositif pour la formation, le remplissage et le scellement de celui-ci
CA1225070A (fr) Methode et materiau de conditionnement, et emballage ainsi fait
US6572267B1 (en) Gussetted packages
US7396163B2 (en) Paper and plastic bags flexible packages and other containers with re-closable device and method of making the same
EP1403191B1 (fr) Sachet avec fermeture à glissière et méthode pour sa fabrication
US6530870B2 (en) Methods of manufacturing reclosable packages; and packages made thereby
US20070127850A1 (en) Top-fill, reclosable stand-up package with slider device and tamper-evident structure and method of manufacturing same
AU2002305062A1 (en) Gusseted packages
EP1126765A1 (fr) Fermeture a glissiere destinee a s'utiliser dans la fabrication de sacs pouvant etre fermes
EP1318082B1 (fr) Conteneur flexible, facile à ouvrir et refermable
EP2083651B1 (fr) Procédé pour former un segment de fermeture répétée à glissière
WO2011015564A1 (fr) Emballage composé d'une matière souple à ouverture déchirable
EP0076311B1 (fr) Sachet pouvant etre ouvert et ferme facilement et dispositif de fabrication de celui-ci
CA1265104A (fr) Emballage rescellable a temoin de viol
US20040079052A1 (en) Method of manufacturing tamper evident package
EP1467918A1 (fr) Sac en papier et en plastique, emballages souples et autres contenants a dispositif refermable et procede de fabrication correspondant

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20050429

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20090505