ES2509819T3 - A bag that can be closed again for filling with food product (s), and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A re-folding bag (100) intended to be filled with at least one food product, such that said re-folding bag (100) comprises: at least one sheet of web material (10), which has at least one bending structure (11 ) which forms a visor and is located between at least two predetermined areas (12, 132) that have a propensity to tear in a predetermined direction and that have at least two lateral wall structures (35, 36) that have internal surfaces (35a , 36a), and an opening generally opposed to said bending structure (11); a retractable bra structure (20), located within said bending structure (11), which includes a skirt structure (16) comprising a band material extending therefrom and including opposite distal margin structures; such that said band material of said integral skirt structure (16) is joined forming a tight seal to said internal surfaces (35a, 36a) by a plurality of predetermined sealing areas, such that the folding structure of fastener (20) extends beyond said at least two predetermined tear areas (12, 132), and the snap-on fastener structure (20) includes a male rail structure and a female rail structure, characterized in that the structures of Male and female lanes extend beyond said at least two predetermined tear areas (12, 132).

Description

DESCRIPTION

A bag that can be closed again for filling with food product (s), and method.

Background of the invention

Related prior art has been disclosed, for example, in US 3,780,781, US 4,925,316 and US 5,660,479, of which US 3,780,781 discloses a bag in accordance with the preamble of claim 5 one.

The present invention generally relates to the field of re-folding bags and, more specifically, to re-folding bags that use or incorporate sealing and re-folding bra assemblies evidencing improper handling or mechanisms of the type of slide, zipper or tightening closure.

The present invention relates, in particular, to a refillable bag that can be filled with a food product 10 in a food processing plant or plant and then sealed to protect the food product until such time as a consumer acquires the folding bag and opens it to access the food product contained inside.

Folding containers, commonly flexible, are well known in the art. Such containers normally comprise a bag-shaped structure made of a folded band of material, such as a thermoplastic film. These types of containers can also include refillable zipper structures, as well as male and female zipper elements in mutual locking, cast, extruded or fixed to the side walls of the bag. Alternatively, the refillable rack structures, mechanisms or assemblies can also be identified as sliding closure systems, that is, a closure system for sliding bags and forming, filling and sealing technology containing two rails that can be mutually 20 blocked, and an independent part (a slide) that runs on the rails and is used to open and / or close the rails. The bag-shaped structure is created when the thermoplastic film is folded, sealed and cut along its exposed edges.

The folding bags are of great comfort for the consumer. This is especially true in the event that the food product or material contained within the bag is of a type that may not be consumed in its entirety at one time, for example, striped cheese, sliced cheese, cheese, processed cheese , meat delicacies, snacks, vegetables, fruits, sweets, etc. A problem with these types of bags is to achieve a design in which the food product is tightly closed against oxygen, the entrance or transmission of the atmosphere, bacteria, molds and / or other sources of contamination, while also providing characteristics that help to present to the consumer evidence of improper handling without substantially interfering with the ease of use of the bag.

When addressing this problem, it is also desirable to achieve a design that is easy to manufacture and can be used in combination with known types of packaging machinery that use forming, filling and sealing technology, such as filling machines. and Horizontal Form Sealing (HFFS - “Horizontal Form Fill and Seal” -) or Vertical Form Filling and Sealing machines (VFFS - “Vertical Form 35 Fill and Seal” -). It is also desired to achieve a design that can, optionally, be used in combination with the Horizontal Flow Wrapper (HFW - "Horizontal Flow Wrapper" -) machines; for example, J-WRAP machines presently available from the Jones Automation Company, Inc., of Beloit, Wisconsin.

A packaging of evidence for improper handling may also require the use of various pieces of film, which must then be joined together. This can make the manufacture of the folding bag more complicated.

The corner-style containers are additionally of great comfort for the consumer. Corner-style containers allow the container to remain standing due to its wider base. This is true when it is desirable to place a container so that it stands on its own. On the other hand, the wider base of the corner-style containers allows them to contain a larger volume of product than a conventional four-sided sealing container of similar dimensions. The challenge was to combine the comfort of a zipper package in a folding bag provided with a corner.

With a zipper of the type of "tightening closure", the corner-style container is usually formed with the corner at the bottom and the zipper at the top. This type of container is filled through the open zipper. Various problems have arisen during the production and filling of this type of container. For example, in the manufacturing process of the package, it is necessary that the "tightening closure" zipper be closed (ie, the male and female profiles need to be coupled) when the zipper profiles merge with each other in lateral filling If the male and female profiles are not coupled, they are subject to misalignment. If they are misaligned at the side seal station, the resulting container will have a zipper that does not close completely, specifically adjacent to the side seal, resulting in a leaking container. On the other hand, once the lateral obturation has been added, the procedure usually

Simpler to open the zipper for filling using a stationary blade to drag the zipper to open it, is no longer a reasonable option. Instead, the zipper must be opened either by pulling the sides of the container to which the zipper is attached until they are separated, either by holding the sides securely while a pressure rod descends into the open portion of the container , which forces the zipper to open. Regardless of the method chosen, an unacceptable percentage of unopened containers or damaged zippers results.

An additional problem that arises from the usual filling from above of the bag provided with corner and equipped with zipper, is the waste of product and the contamination of the zipper profiles. As a solution to this problem, some filling procedures lower a filling tube into the container and beyond the area of the zipper profiles, in an attempt to protect the profiles from the product. This technique reduces the contamination of the profiles, but does not eliminate it. This is because a gap between the filling tube and the walls of the container has to be maintained in order to ensure the consistency of the tube insertion and to provide an outlet passage for the air in the container that the product is shifting In the flow of air that leaves the container to make room for the product, it is inevitable that some product is included, and the profiles are contaminated. fifteen

An additional problem associated with the traditional filling from above of corner-fitted containers, provided with a zipper, occurs when the zipper closes once the container has been filled with product. The usual method forces the zipper to close by applying a force on both sides of the zipper and in a tangent direction to the sides of the container. This procedure may not consistently close the zipper, and those that do close may have product that has been pushed into the profiles of the zipper.

Containers fitted with a corner that employ a slide-type zipper face additional filling problems. When filling such a container, the sliding portion of the zipper must be slid from one side of the container to the other in order to open the profiles. Once the container has been filled, the sliding of the sliding portion must be inverted to close the upper part. This procedure is difficult and expensive, which makes the filling at the top through the containers provided with a slide-type rack commercially impractical.

It is believed that the closest container references provided with cornerback are U.S. Patent No. 5,938,337, issued on August 17, 1999, U.S. Patent No. 5,529,394, issued on June 25, 1996, and U.S. Patent No. 5,417,040, issued on May 23 and 1995. While these Patents disclose 30 advantageous methods, they fail to make full use of the benefits of a package of the type provided with corner. This is because, due to the wider base provided in a corner bag, they are capable of containing a larger volume than conventional four-side sealing containers of the same height and width. The aforementioned patents provide methods for filling the bag provided with corner from the corner of the container and opposite to the closing mechanism. 35 However, when a bag provided with a corner is filled from the bottom, or bottom, provided with a corner, the product accumulates upwards inside the package in a manner similar to how a conventional four-sided container is filled. The result is the inability to fully exploit the added volume benefits provided by the corner.

It is one of the objectives of the present invention to provide a folding bag that can be manufactured using known packaging machinery. As noted above, such known packaging machinery includes HFFS machines, VFFS machines and HFW machines. Additionally, as will be apparent to a person with knowledge of the art after reading the present description contained herein, machines of the thermoforming type such as that disclosed in US Patent No. 4,240,241 may also be used to set practice the present invention disclosed herein, after an appropriate modification, as will be apparent from the description provided herein.

It is also an objective to carry out the task of manufacturing using only a single piece of transparent film in combination with a retractable zipper assembly.

On the other hand, it is an object of the invention to provide the manufacturer with the option to include some or all of the characteristics of resistance to tampering or evidence of this, hermetic sealing, and ease of use in the folding bag being manufactured.

Another objective, especially with structures of the sliding or rack type, or with zippers or fasteners of the sliding type, is ease of use. While a slide structure of the sliding type is itself relatively easy to use, the bag structures include side walls or flap portions extending upward beyond the sliding structure of the sliding type. This interferes with access by the consumer to the food, makes it difficult to see the structure of the rack and also makes it easier to operate the rack mechanism. This is especially true when the person who opens and closes the bag is disabled, has arthritis or another condition that limits this person's manual dexterity.

Additionally, increasing the ease of access to the food product is an objective because the larger the rack structure and its associated elements, the smaller the opening left to the consumer to access the food product.

It is an additional objective to provide a container provided with corner and folding that can be filled on one side with product. 5

It is another objective to provide a container provided with corner and folding that can be filled on one side and prevents contamination of the zipper profile.

Another objective is to provide a container provided with corner and folding that can be filled on one side to ensure optimum volumetric filling of the portion provided with corner.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a refillable and corner-fitted bag that can be manufactured using known packaging machinery, such as known machinery that includes HFFS machines.

It is believed that the present invention achieves these and other objectives thanks to the unique and simple structures and methods disclosed herein.

Compendium of the invention

The present invention can generally be described as a folding bag intended to be filled with at least one food product. The folding bag includes at least one sheet of web material. The web of sheet material has at least two areas of structural weakness and at least one bending structure located between, and defined by, the two areas of structural weakness. The folding bag includes an opening generally located opposite the bending structure. (Please appreciate that the bending structure, as used in the description and in the claims herein, should be interpreted as widely as possible and should include not only structures that constitute a bending, but also any structure having the same or similar characteristics as a fold, even though said structure may have been formed by means or methods without bending, such as the result of joining or melting the edges of two or more sheets of film.) In addition, the folding bag includes a sliding fastener structure that has a 25 skirt structure of web material extending therefrom and located within the bending structure. The skirt structure or skirt material can either be integral with the sliding fastener structure or it can be coupled, for example, joined together forming a tight or adhered closure, to the sliding fastener structure. The skirt structure includes a distal margin, or further away, that is coupled to the skirt of web material in a position between the areas of structural weakness and the opening. The band material of the rewratable fastener structure 30 extends beyond the areas of structural weakness, such that the restractable fastener structure is located within the bending structure. The refillable bag is likely to be filled with at least one food product through the opening.

The refolding pouch structure of the present invention may, optionally, include other features. For example, but not by way of limitation, the skirt may include an external surface and an internal surface. The distal margin is located on the outer surface. The inner surface may include a predetermined area that has a releasable adhesive material. This makes possible the option of having a removable seal, which can be used to help make the reboolable bag initially airtight and can also add another rebound / liable to reseal the bag. (Please appreciate that the terms and expressions "reobturable", "liable to close again" and "releasable", in addition to their normal meaning, are used interchangeably herein to describe a closed or sealed opening that may re-open at a predetermined time to help ensure access to at least a portion of the contents of the bag, and then close or seal to allow the remaining content to be stored in the bag for later use and / or to provide evidence of tampering.)

Additionally, and more commonly, the web material of the rewritable bag is substantially composed of a predetermined portion of a roll of a precursor film material. The predetermined portion has predetermined dimensions from which a refillable bag of predetermined dimensions can be constructed. The precursor film material can be manufactured to a degree of specification that determines the shape and position of the areas of structural weakness and that makes the areas of structural weakness an integral part of the precursor film. At present, it is believed that it is commercially preferable to do so. Alternatively, the areas of structural weakness can be applied to the precursor film at a predetermined stage of the construction or manufacturing process of the folding bag.

On the other hand, areas of structural weakness may extend intermittently, continuously, and linearly, nonlinearly or in some other predetermined configuration through a predetermined dimension of the web of sheet material. The predetermined dimension in which the area of structural weakness is located can be either the length or the width of the folding bag, which is usually rectangular in shape, depending on whether it is desired or not to use the long edge or side of the bag or the short edge or side of the bag with the system

slide closure. The use of the long edge of the bag provides a larger opening and, therefore, improves the ease of access to the food material or other materials contained within the folding bag.

The term "structural weakness" is generally used to describe the area of the refillable bag that has been intentionally designed to be easily torn by the consumer in order to provide evidence of improper handling, and in order to allow easy exposure of the zipper mechanism or assembly. It should be understood, however, that the use of the term "structural weakness" should include, without limitation of its meaning, structures such as perforation, notches, microperforations, as well as multiple stratified materials that include a layer having an area of material or materials that have been specifically designed to be easily torn. Accordingly, it should be understood that the areas of structural weakness have been intentionally designed to create a predetermined tear path, which may or may not be airtight.

Also, the opening of the bag can be facilitated by the application of a tear strip (for example, a tear tape or tear chain) along a predetermined surface or surfaces of the precursor film. The tear strip may or may not be used in combination with a predetermined area of structural weakness. fifteen

Alternatively, the present invention can be described as a folding bag intended to be filled with at least one food product and comprising at least one sheet of a web material. The sheet of web material includes a first area of structural weakness and a second area of structural weakness. (Alternatively, areas of structural weakness may be tearing areas or areas that have a propensity to tear in a predetermined direction.) The sheet of web material includes at least one bending structure, located between, and defined by, the first and second areas of structural weakness, as well as a filling opening. The sheet of web material further comprises a first panel, coupled to the bending structure in the first area of structural weakness, and a second panel, coupled to the bending structure in the second area of structural weakness. A refillable fastener structure includes a male rail structure and a female rail structure. The male rail structure includes a first band material flap structure that extends therefrom, and the female rail structure includes a second band material flap structure that extends therefrom. Each flap structure includes a predetermined coupling portion. The coupling portion of the first flap structure is coupled to the first panel, and the coupling portion of the second flap structure is coupled to the second panel. (Please appreciate that the seal, when formed, may be adjacent or close to the area of structural weakness 30, but not be found on it.) The rewritable fastener structure extends beyond the areas of structural weakness and within the structure bending The areas of structural weakness are located below the folding bra structure. The alternative folding bags are also capable of being filled with at least one food product through the filling opening, which is subsequently sealed. 35

The present invention allows the bending structure to be easily removed from the folding bag. More importantly, the present invention allows the consumer to substantially expose the collapsible bra structure in such a way that it is easily accessible and the consumer does not have to be impeded by the side walls of the bag or by the flap portions of the Bag that extend upward beyond the zipper structure. Finally, the present invention achieves this by substantially using a single piece 40 of film material, although not limited thereto.

Alternatively, the present invention can be described as a refillable bag intended to be filled with at least one food product. The foldable bag may include at least one sheet of film material, at least one tear tape structure, at least one bending structure, and an opening generally located in a position opposite to the bending structure. A retractable bra structure includes at least one integral skirt structure of skirt material extending therefrom. The integral skirt structure includes at least one distal margin. The distal margin is coupled to the skirt material in at least one position between the tear tape structure and the opening. The folding bra structure extends beyond the tear tape structure and inside the bending structure. The refillable bag is capable of being filled with at least one food product. fifty

Additionally, the folding bag intended to be filled with at least one food product can also be described as a folding bag that includes at least one sheet of web material having at least one bending structure having at least two side wall structures which have internal surfaces, and an opening generally located in a position opposite to the bending structure. A retractable bra structure includes an integral skirt structure comprising a band material extending from it, and includes opposing distal margin structures. The band material of the integral skirt structure is sealed to the internal surfaces of the side wall structures by a plurality of predetermined sealing areas. The folding bag may also include a barrier band material that extends between the distal margin structures and is coupled thereto.

The barrier band material of the alternative bag may, alternatively, extend between the side wall structures and be coupled thereto. Alternatively, the barrier band material may also be coupled to predetermined sealing areas by at least one removable seal. Alternatively, the barrier band material may include at least one area of structural weakness that extends therethrough, along a direction generally parallel to the predetermined sealing areas. 5

Alternatively, the folding bag of the present invention, intended to be filled with at least one food product, may include at least one sheet of web material having at least one predetermined tear area, at least one bending structure, and an opening generally located opposite the bending structure. A folding bra structure includes at least one integral skirt structure of skirt material, which extends therefrom. The integral skirt structure includes at least one distal margin. 10 The distal margin is coupled to the skirt material in at least one position between the tear area and the opening. The folding bra structure extends beyond the tear area and inside the bending structure. The refillable bag is capable of being filled with at least one food product.

This alternative folding bag structure may additionally include at least one piece of header material located in a predetermined area of the bending structure. The header material may include at least one edge structure adjacent to the tear area. The folding bag of this alternative structure may additionally include at least one tear tape structure coupled to the web material and adjacent to the tear area.

Alternatively, the present invention can be described as a refillable bag intended to be filled with at least one food product. The folding bag may include at least one sheet of web material, at least one tear tape structure, at least one bending structure, and an opening. A retractable bra structure includes at least one integral skirt structure of skirt band material extending therefrom. The integral skirt structure includes at least one distal margin. The distal margin is coupled to the web material in at least one position between the tear tape structure and the opening. The folding bra structure extends beyond the tear tape structure and around and around the bending structure. The refillable bag is capable of being filled with at least one food product.

Additionally, the folding bag intended to be filled with at least one food product can also be described as a folding bag that includes at least one sheet of web material, which has at least one folding structure and an opening. A retractable bra structure includes an integral skirt structure comprising a band material extending therefrom, and includes opposing distal margin structures. The band material of the integral skirt structure is sealed to the outer surfaces of the side wall structures in a plurality of predetermined sealing areas. The internal surface of the folding bag may also include a predetermined area that has a releasable adhesive material. This makes possible the option of having a removable seal, which can be used to help make the bag initially airtight and can also add another feature that can be folded / resealable to the bag.

Additionally, the present invention can be described as a construction method that uses known forming, filling and sealing machinery that includes HFFS, VFFS and HFW machines, but is not limited thereto. The steps of the construction method include: 1. Folding the web of sheet material along a predetermined bending area located between the areas of structural weakness, in order to form the bending structure. 2. Insert the folding bra into the bending structure. 3. Attach the distal margin of the integral skirt structure to the band material. 4. Seal the web material along at least two predetermined linear areas generally located perpendicular to the bending structure. 5. Fill the refillable bag with at least one food product through an opening. 6. Seal the opening. Please appreciate that, in an HFW application, it is believed at the present time that the fourth stage should occur the last.

The method may also include a stage of inserting either a tear tape, or a tear chain at least before the fourth stage. On the other hand, a header strip can also be introduced before the fourth stage. fifty

Alternatively, the web material can be split along the fold line and the rewritable fastener assembly can be inserted and rebounded, resulting in a set of zipper structure exposed at one end of the bag.

Also, alternatively, if the folding bag is designed to have a corner opposite the zipper opening, then the filling opening can be sealed and the bag can be filled with product through the zipper opening.

Alternatively, the present invention can generally be described as a folding bag, provided with a corner and intended to be filled with at least one food product. The refolding pouch provided with corner

includes at least one sheet of web material. The sheet of web material has at least two areas of structural weakness, a corner-provided portion, at least one bending structure, and an opening generally located between the bending structure and the corner-provided portion.

In addition, the folding bag includes a sliding bra structure that has a skirt structure of web material extending therefrom. The skirt structure of the web material may either be integral to the sliding fastener structure, or it may be coupled, for example, joined together forming a tight or adhered closure, to the sliding fastener structure. The skirt structure includes a distal margin that is coupled to the sheet of web material in a position between the fold and the opening. The folding bag is capable of being filled with at least one food product through a filling opening located between the skirt structure and the provided corner portion. 10

A backrest or barrier strip structure has been inserted between, and extends below, the skirts of the zipper, along the filling opening. The backing or barrier strip structure may be made of any suitable material but is preferably two layers and is composed of a laminated film such as the Curwood's 7182 barrier film. One of the faces of the strip structure of The barrier to be used in the present invention is made of nylon or any other suitable material such as polypropylene, which will not be attached to the precursor film. The opposite face of the barrier strip structure may be provided with a sealing agent such as a polyethylene, a mixture of polyethylene or a coextrusion of polyethylene. The face of the sealing agent is joined forming a tight seal or is glued to the inner surface of the upper zipper skirt (or the front face) before insertion into an upper fold (that is, the bending structure). Once inserted into the upper fold, the front face of each zipper skirt joins forming a seal 20 to the precursor film. The precursor film then passes over bending boards to form a bottom corner. The unsealed edge that remains of the precursor skirt extends upward until it meets the other edge located on the skirt of the zipper. After filling with the product, the final sealing bar joins the precursor film with a zipper skirt and a portion of the barrier strip structure in a tight seal in order to make an airtight container. Once the barrier strip structure 25 has been inserted between the zipper skirts and extends below them, the zipper skirts will not form a seal with one another and the nylon face of the barrier strip structure It will not form a tight seal with the opposite inner surface of the precursor film.

The swivel bag structure provided with corner of the present invention may, optionally, include other features. For example, but not by way of limitation, the skirt may include an external surface and an internal surface. The distal margin is located on the outer surface. The inner surface may include a predetermined area that has a releasable adhesive material. This makes possible the option of having a removable material that can be used to help make the initially airtight reboolable bag and can also add another reolable / resealable feature to the bag.

Alternatively, if the folding bag is designed to have a corner opposite the zipper opening 35, the bag can be filled with product through a filling opening located between the zipper skirt and the corner provided portion.

Alternatively, the present invention can be described as a folding bag provided with a corner to be filled on one side with at least one food product and comprising at least one sheet of a web material. The web of sheet material includes a first area of structural weakness and a second area of structural weakness. (Alternatively, areas of structural weakness may be tearing areas or areas that have a propensity to tear in a predetermined direction.) The sheet of web material includes at least one bending structure, located between, and defined by, the first and second areas of structural weakness, a filling opening, a backrest or barrier strip structure and a portion provided with corner. A refillable fastener structure includes a male rail structure and a female rail structure. The male rail structure includes a first flap or skirt structure of web material extending therefrom, and the female rail structure includes a second flap or skirt structure that extends therefrom. Each flap structure includes a predetermined coupling portion. (Please appreciate that the seal, when formed, may be adjacent to or close to the area of structural weakness, but not be located thereon.) The folding bra structure extends beyond the areas of weakness and inside of the bending structure. The areas of structural weakness are located below the folding bra structure.

The backrest or barrier strip structure is inserted between, and extends below, the flap or skirt structures, along the side filling opening. As in the previous embodiment, one of the faces of the barrier strip structure to be used is nylon or any other suitable material, such as polypropylene, which will not be attached to the precursor film. The opposite face of the barrier strip structure may be provided with a sealing agent such as a polyethylene, a mixture of polyethylene or a coextrusion of polyethylene. The face of the sealing agent of the backing or barrier strip of this alternative embodiment can be joined forming a tight seal or sticking to the inner surface of the top (or front face) zipper skirt before insertion into a fold (it is say, bending structure) superior. Once inserted 60

Within the upper fold, the front face of each zipper skirt joins forming a tight seal to the precursor film, as explained with respect to the bag provided with corner and folding that has the sliding fastener structure. Alternatively, an antiobturation agent can be applied by brush to the inner surface of the zipper skirt, before its insertion into an upper fold.

Alternatively, the present invention can be described as a folding bag, provided with corner and 5 intended to be filled on one side with at least one food product. The folding bag may include at least one sheet of web material, at least one bending structure, at least one corner structure, and a filling opening on one side, which has a backrest or barrier strip structure, located generally between the bending structure and the corner structure. A retractable bra structure includes at least one integral skirt structure of skirt band material extending therefrom. The integral skirt structure includes at least one distal margin. The distal margin is coupled to the web material in at least one position between the bending structure and the opening. The refillable bag is capable of being filled with at least one food product.

This alternative folding bag structure may additionally include at least one piece of header material located in a predetermined area of the bending structure. The header material may include at least one edge structure adjacent to the tear area.

Additionally, the present invention can be described as a construction method that uses known forming, filling and sealing machinery, including HFFS, VFFS and HFW machines, although not limited by them. The stages of the construction method include: 1. Placing a backrest or barrier strip structure face to face with the side seal. 2. Punch out the strip in the area that is both in the side seal and adjacent to the skirt of the zipper to which the backrest or barrier strip will be attached. 3. Attach the backrest or barrier strip to the inner face of one of the skirts of a rack rail with the face of the sealing agent of the strip facing the inner surface of the skirt. 4. Join a heat seal, a portion of the remaining strip adjacent to the zipper skirt, to the zipper skirt. 5. Fold the sheet of web material along a predetermined bending area located between areas of structural weakness, in order to form a bending structure. 6. Insert the rewritable fastener and the fixed backrest strip structure into the bending structure. 7. Fix the zipper rail to the band in a certain position with respect to the areas of structural weakness, by joining a heat-tight seal of the band to the skirt portions of the zipper rail. 8. Place the edge of the band in such a way that it is fixed to the skirt that has the barrier strip fixed, but without covering the entire portion of it. 30 9. Pass the rest of the band through folding boards in such a way that a corner is formed at the bottom of the container. 10. Fold the other edge of the band material up, to the rest of the exposed zipper skirt that has the backrest or barrier strip attached, and adjacent to the first edge of the band. 11. Join the band material in a tight seal along at least two predetermined linear areas generally located perpendicular to the bending structure. 12. Fill the foldable bag 35 with at least one food product through the side opening. 13. Seal the opening.

The method may also include a step of introducing a header strip before step ten.

Alternatively, the method and structure of the present invention may include a rewritable fastener assembly having two skirts or flanges of web material. The first skirt can be attached or joined forming a tight seal to the precursor film before folding the precursor film. (Additionally, the first skirt can be glued or partially joined forming a tight seal before folding it, and then subsequently applying a full seal on the HFFS, VFFS or HFW machine.) After folding the precursor film, the Second skirt or flange will be attached forming a tight seal to the side wall of film opposite to the side wall to which it is attached forming a tight seal or coupled to the first skirt. The construction of the bag can then be completed as disclosed in this report.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a predetermined portion of precursor film comprising a sheet of web material that includes at least two areas of structural weakness.

Figure 2 is an elevation view from an edge of a portion of the web of sheet material of Figure 1, 50 and shows the position of the areas of structural weakness.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the folding structure of a folding bag of the present invention, showing the position of the sliding or rack structure located in the folding structure, with respect to the predetermined position of the areas of structural weakness.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3. 55

Figure 5 is a front plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a front plan view of an alternative to the first embodiment of the present invention, which discloses a sealed rail mass 23b.

Figure 7 is a front plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a view taken from line 8-8 of Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 9 is an alternative to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 8. 5

Figure 10 is another alternative to the embodiment shown in Figure 8.

Figure 11 is an alternative to the embodiment shown in Figure 10, in which a removable sealing tape with a releasable adhesive on one of the faces of the tape is used.

Figure 12 is a view from line 12-12 of Figure 11, in which the header material 15 shown, together with other structures, is optional. 10

Figure 13 is another alternative to the embodiment shown in Figure 8.

Figure 14 is a front plan view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 is a view taken from line 15-15 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is an example that is not in accordance with the invention.

Figure 17 is another alternative to the embodiment shown in Figure 15. 15

Figure 18 is another alternative to the embodiment shown in Figure 15.

Figure 19 is a front plan view of an alternative embodiment to the present invention.

Figure 20 is a view from line 20-20 of Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, illustrating various features of the invention, including die cutting of the rack mass of the rack assembly as well as the use of a tear structure such as a tear tape or a tear chain.

Figure 22 is a view from line 22-22 of Figure 21.

Figure 23 is a view of an alternative to the embodiment shown in Figure 22, in which tear tape is applied to both the inner and outer surface of the bag.

Figure 24 is a cropped view of an alternative to the embodiment shown in Figure 22, in which the tear tape includes a tear ball.

Figure 25 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 24.

Figure 26 is a cutaway view of a predetermined portion of the embodiment shown in Figure 24, illustrating the tear tape and the relationship of the tear ball with the film and the area of structural weakness created as a result of the presence of the tear ball. 30

Figure 27 is an alternative embodiment of the structure of the structure depicted in Figure 22.

Figure 28 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, illustrating various features of the invention, including the use of an optional header strip and the use of an optional opening to aid in the removal of the visor and Zipper set exposure.

Figure 29 is a view taken from line 29-29 of Figure 28. 35

Figure 30 is a schematic diagram showing the components of another alternative embodiment of the present invention, being supplied to the inside of a machine suitable for adapting to carry out the process and elaborating at least one of the products disclosed herein. , before the drag opening structure of the machine.

Figure 31 is a schematic diagram showing the components of another alternative embodiment of the present invention, being supplied to the inside of a machine suitable for adapting to carry out the process and elaborating at least one of the products disclosed herein. memory, before the drag opening structure of the machine.

Figure 32 is a schematic top plan view illustrating at least one method by which

Components of the alternative embodiment disclosed in Figure 30 are previously introduced to the drag opening mechanism of the forming, filling and sealing machine.

Figure 33 is a schematic top plan view illustrating at least one method whereby the components of the alternative embodiment depicted in Figure 31 are previously introduced to the drag opening mechanism of the forming, filling and sealing machine. 5

Figure 34 is a perspective view that generally shows the general relationship of the components to elaborate the various embodiments disclosed herein. Specifically, the embodiment of the removable sealing tape is disclosed, although, after seeing this description, it will be apparent to a person with ordinary skill in the art how the machinery can be modified to produce the various disclosed embodiments, described and claimed herein. 10

Figure 35 is a schematic side elevation view illustrating the construction steps of the alternative embodiment depicted in Figure 30, subsequent to the bending of the precursor film on the drag opening structure.

Figure 36 is a schematic side elevation view illustrating the construction steps of the alternative embodiment disclosed in Figure 31, subsequent to the bending of the precursor film on the drag opening structure 15.

Figure 37 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrating various features of the invention, including the use of a tear strip and a diamond shaped opening, as opposed to a circular opening, to aid in visor removal. and to the exhibition of the zipper set. twenty

Figure 38 is a schematic diagram showing the components of another alternative embodiment of the present invention, being supplied to the inside of a machine suitable for adapting to carry out the process and elaborating the product disclosed herein, in which a tear chain or the rack assembly is introduced into the precursor film after drag opening.

Figure 39 is a schematic side elevation view illustrating the construction steps of the alternative embodiment 25 shown in Figure 38, in which the tear chain or the slide or rack assembly is introduced after the opening structure by drag

Figure 40 is a front plan view of an example that is not in accordance with the invention.

Figure 40a is a front plan view of the alternative shown in Figure 40, but showing a removable seal area. 30

Figure 41 is a view taken from line 41-41 of Figure 40a and showing the rewritable fastener structure that extends over the bending structure and the removable seal.

Figure 41a is an enlarged view of the structure shown in Figure 41 and showing the position of the slide or rack structure on the bending structure, with respect to the predetermined position of the areas of structural weakness. 35

Figure 42 is a front plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 43 is a view taken from line 43-43 of Figure 42 and showing a corner portion, a slide fastener, and a barrier strip and a filling opening located in between.

Figure 44 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 43, but with the corner portion open and showing a flattened bottom. 40

Figure 45 is a side elevational view of the folding structure of the folding bag shown in Figures 42-44, showing the position of the sliding or rack structure in the folding structure, with respect to the strip of barrier and to the filling opening, and showing the side 36 in a broken line, in position for filling through the side opening, and the side 36 in a continuous line, illustrating the opening closed after filling. Four. Five

Figure 45a is a perspective and partially cropped view of the embodiment shown in Figure 45.

Figure 46 is a schematic diagram illustrating at least one method by which the components of the alternative embodiment depicted in Figures 42-45 are assembled.

Figure 47 is a schematic top plan view illustrating at least one method whereby the components of the alternative embodiment shown in Figures 42-45 are introduced previously to the drag opening mechanism of the forming machine, filling and sealing.

Figure 48 is a schematic side elevation view illustrating the construction steps of the alternative embodiment depicted in Figures 42-45, subsequent to the bending of the precursor film on the drag opening structure and the recessing board.

Figure 49 is a front plan view of an example that is not in accordance with the invention.

Figure 50 is a view taken from line 50-50 of Figure 49 and showing a corner portion, a clamp fastener provided with a barrier strip, and a filling opening located between the corner portion and the bra.

Figure 51 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 50, but with the corner portion open and showing a flattened bottom.

Figure 52 is a side elevation view of the folding structure of the folding bag shown in 10 Figures 49-51, showing the position of the closing zipper structure by tightening on the folding structure, with respect to the barrier strip and to the filling opening, and showing the side 36 in a broken line, in position for filling through the filling opening, and the side 36 in a continuous line, so as to illustrate the closed and sealed position, after filling.

Figure 53 is a schematic diagram illustrating at least one method by which the components of the embodiment depicted in Figures 49-52 are assembled.

Figure 54 is a schematic top plan view illustrating at least one method whereby the components of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 49-52 are introduced before the drag opening mechanism of the forming, filling and filling machine. obturation.

Figure 54a is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 54a-54a of Figure 54, and showing the closing zipper structure by tightening and the backing strip.

Figure 55 is a side elevation and schematic view illustrating the construction steps of the alternative embodiment shown in Figures 49-52, subsequent to the bending of the precursor film on the drag opening structure and the recessing board.

Figure 55a is a partial and enlarged view of the area generally referred to as 55a in Figure 55. 25

Figure 56 is a perspective view that generally shows the general relationship of the components for making the corner-provided embodiments shown in Figures 42-55a.

Figure 57 is a perspective view that generally shows the relationship of the components to make a corner bag provided with the prior art.

Figure 58 is a perspective view of a prior art corner bag, filled with 30 above.

Figure 59 is a perspective view of a bag provided with a corner and filled on one side of the present invention, and showing a slide-type zipper and a backing strap.

Detailed description

While the description provided herein has been detailed and specified to allow those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments disclosed herein merely exemplify the invention, which may be incorporated into other structures or methods. specific. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details can be modified without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

The present invention consists of both a method and a structure that results from the method. The present invention generally relates to re-folding plastic bags 100 and, more particularly, to re-folding plastic bags 100 that have a slide or rack assembly 20, which cooperates with a characteristic of tamper evidence. The evidence of tamper evidence may also consist of a seal feature. The method of the present invention, while unique and described in detail herein, can be used in known machinery such as, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, the RPM 100 packaging machine manufactured by the Klockner Packaging Machinery, of Sarasota, Florida, USA The modifications required in the machinery used to implement the present invention will be apparent to a person with ordinary knowledge of the art after reading this description.

The plastic folding bags that use various zippers and sealing mechanisms are well known. However, it is believed that the advantages of the present invention are not apparent from the zippers.

and shutter mechanisms known from the prior art. The zipper assembly 20 typically includes a zipper structure 20a and an integral skirt 16. In the present invention, the skirt 16 is attached to the precursor film 10 in a predetermined sealing position 14. See Figure 3.

Referring to Figures 1-5, the method and structure of the present invention can generally begin to be described. Referring to Figure 1, a predetermined portion of precursor film 5 is illustrated therein. The precursor film 10 is structurally weakened in predetermined positions, by the use of presently known laser marking technology.

Referring to Figure 2, an elevation view from an edge of the precursor film 10 can be seen therein, which includes the incised lines 12. The weakened area 12 may also be unperforated and airtight. The weakened areas 12 define a tear detachment portion or integral bending structure 10.

Referring to Figure 3, the film 10 is folded on itself, as shown, to form the bending structure 11, and a rack assembly 20 is inserted. The weakened areas 12 are placed below the rack structure. 20a so that, when the bending structure or visor 11 is removed, the rack structure 20a is exposed sufficiently above the resulting flap structures 15 19, in order to allow the user to access the rack structure 20a. The zipper skirts 16 have been shown attached to the film 10. However, it is believed preferable at the present time, before the insertion of the zipper assembly 20, that the uncut ends 23 (see Figure 5) of each assembly of zipper 20 are removed by punching or trimmed to form a notch 22a provided with a certain radius, as shown in Figure 7. The cut ends 22 of the zipper assembly are joined together forming a tight seal 20 (the mass sealed 22b of Figure 7) which will later have the function of retaining the contents of the bag 100, such as food.

Referring again to Figure 3, skirt (s) 16 remains intact (s), such that the rack assembly 20 is kept continuous for ease of handling. Once the skirt (s) 16 of the zipper assembly 20 is inserted, it (s) joins the inner surface 10a of the precursor film 10 in position (s) 25 (positions) shutter 14.

Next, the sides 30 and 32 are sealed along the margin 10c shown in Figure 5 or 7, using a known mechanism such as a heat sealing bar of a forming, filling and sealing machine. , by advancing the folded film 10 to the heat seal bar portion of the machine used; this creates a seal 30a along the width of the margin 10c. The resulting bag 30 is then filled with a predetermined food product or other desired material, through the opening 33 opposite the zipper assembly 20, at the bottom edge 34 shown in Figure 5 or 7. The edge background 34 is then sealed subsequently forming seal 34a.

This results in the fact that the rack assembly 20 is tightly enclosed within the tear-off portion 11. The tear-off portion 11 is integral with the precursor film 10. The integral tear-off portion 11 it can be easily removed by tearing along the incised lines 12, leaving the rack structure 20a fully exposed and easily accessible for the desired use.

The procedure and mechanism described above can also be carried out in such a way that the zipper assembly 20 is located along one of the long sides 30 or 32 of the bag 100, instead of the short side. of the rectangle that is defined by bag 100.

Referring to Figure 5, a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated therein, 1. As can be seen in Figure 5, two bags 100 have been shown before being separated along the separation line 101. This Embodiment includes incised lines 12 extending in an alternative configuration that includes a curved or arcuate section 13 and a tear notch 24. As depicted additionally in Figure 7, the precursor film 10 is joined forming a closure. sealed by section 26, either with its opposite sides 35 and 36, or with the structure of the rack assembly 20. The tear notch 24 provides a starting point for the removal of the bending structure 11, which is located above the rack assembly 20. The bending structure 11 is defined by the position of the incised lines 12. The incised lines 12 extend along curve 13 to a predetermined area It is located below the 50 zipper assembly 20, in substantially the entire width of the folding bag 100, which facilitates the removal of the visor or bending structure 11 and the exposure of the zipper structure 20a. The embodiment of Figure 5 additionally includes a tight seal 40.

Referring now to Figure 8, a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 7 can be seen therein. In particular, it can be seen that the integral skirt 16, usually composed of two strips or pieces of film of plastic or of a unit of a single piece of continuous film, has its outer surface 19 forming a seal with the inner surfaces 36a and 35a by respective sealed seals 40a and 40. Additionally, a removable seal 50 is located at the bottom of the skirt 16.

Any conventional resealable adhesive 51 known in the market can be used to make the removable seal 50. The removable seal 50 may also be a tight seal 40b.

Referring now to Figure 9, an alternative to the embodiment of Figure 8 is shown therein. In this embodiment, the skirt 16 of the zipper joins forming a heat seal with the side panels 5 and 36 35, respectively, of the precursor film 10. The internal surfaces 17 of the skirt 16 of the zipper are joined together forming a removable seal, using a known releasable adhesive 51, in order to provide a gas-tight or gas-tight seal. and release 50 in between. It should be appreciated that the terms "adhesive capable of closing again" or "releasable adhesive", as used herein, must be interpreted interchangeably as well as having their common meaning. 10

Referring now to Figure 10, another alternative embodiment of Figure 8 is shown therein. In this embodiment, the precursor film 10 joins forming a tight seal along a predetermined portion 42 of the internal surfaces 35a and 36a. A known releasable adhesive 51 is used to form a removable seal 50 between the internal surfaces 35a and 36a, in a predetermined portion 42. US Patent No. 4,944,409 contains an example of such an adhesive. At present, 15 CUREX brand grade 4482-0 (quality grade 4482-0), supplied by Curwood, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is considered an acceptable adhesive for use with this embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, another alternative embodiment is illustrated in which the removable seal 50 is composed of a removable sealing tape 53 having a permanent sealing agent such as a metallocene catalyzed polyethylene, located on one of the faces, and a releasable sealing material 20 such as the aforementioned CUREX brand material, on the other side (face 54).

A possible method for achieving the structure of Figures 11 and 12 consists in the use of a system of forming, filling and sealing machines in which the removable sealing tape 53 will be glued over a predetermined position of the precursor film 10, before of the trailing opener 200. (See Figures 31, 33 25 and 34 for a general illustration of the position of the trailing opener 200 in relation to the other components of a forming, filling and sealing machine. Please appreciate, with reference to Figure 33, which is believed preferable at the present time that the heat seal 208 is enlarged enough that, in addition to forming a seal with the tear tape 120 in place, it also forms a seal with the permanent sealing face of the removable sealing tape 53 placed in place at the same time, 30. Accordingly, although it is believed preferred For a single shutter bar 208 for these independent functions, multiple bars can be used, each of which has a dedicated function or a combination of dedicated functions.) After the drag opener 200, the removable seal face 54 will be joined forming a seal with the precursor film 10 by heat sealing bars 55. The use of sealing bars 208 and 55 as disclosed herein allows 35 independent temperatures and pressures to be used for each seal, and it is believed which will result in more consistent removable seals.

Additionally, the skirt 16 of the zipper can be joined in place, forming a tight seal, subsequently to the trailing opener 200, by means of the shutter bar 56, and the header sealing 206a can be performed by the sealing bar 57, as generally illustrated in 40 Figures 34 and 36.

Referring now to Figure 13, another alternative embodiment of Figure 10 is shown therein. In this embodiment, the skirt 16 of the zipper includes an elongated section 16a. The end 21 of the elongated section 16a is placed between the internal surfaces 36a and 35a of the side panels 36 and 35 of the precursor film 10. The elongated section 16a joins forming a heat seal to the precursor film 10 45 by the internal surface 35a, and is joined forming a removable seal, using a known releasable adhesive 51, to the internal surface 36a, in order to form the removable seal 50.

Referring now to Figure 14, a third embodiment of the present invention has been represented therein. Again, two bags 100 have been shown before being separated along the separation line 101. The invention of the third embodiment is composed of precursor film 10, which is used to form the bag 100 to be filled. . The bag 100 includes a first side seal 30, a second side seal 32 and a filling opening 33. The side panel 35 forms the front face of the bag 100. The filling opening 33, once the bag 100 has been formed and filled with a predetermined type of food material, it is heat sealed to form a bottom edge or seal 34. The bag 100 additionally includes a bending structure 11, a header 15, an integral zipper skirt 16, a zipper assembly 20 that includes a zipper structure 20a, at least one hermetic seal 40, an unsealed area 60 and a section 62 in which the skirt 16 of the zipper and the ends 23 of the zipper assembly 20 are joined each other forming a heat seal (see the sealed mass 23b of Figure 14) before insertion between the front face 35 and the rear face 36 of the film 10. This forms the sealed mass 23b. The

formation of the sealed mass 23b can take place in the shutter 216, which is illustrated in Figure 30.

The joint forming a seal of the zipper skirt (s) 16 with the precursor film 10 forms the gas-tight or gas-tight seal 40. The skirts 16 of the zipper may have a predetermined portion or portions that extend further beyond the seal 40 and which can be held together with a removable seal 50. See, for example, Figure 15. 5

Since, within the non-sealed area 60, the side panels 35 and 36 are not fixed to the rack assembly 20, the visor structure 11 (which may be defined by the incised lines 12) can be easily removed to expose the rack structure 20 a. The sealed mass 23b makes product containment possible when the removable seal 50 opens.

Referring to Figure 15, a view from line 15-15 of Figure 14 can be seen therein. It can be seen that it is identical to the embodiment of Figure 8, except as explained above with reference to Figure 14.

Referring now to Figure 16, an alternative structure to that shown in Figure 15 can be observed therein. In this alternative, the skirt 16 of the zipper is made of a single piece of material. It joins forming a heat seal with the internal surfaces 35a and 36a, in order to form about 15 seals 40 and 40a. The skirt 16 is provided with a structural weakness 45 that extends straightly and generally parallel to the sealed seals 40 and 40a, along the sliding skirt 16. The structural weakness 45 is designed to break or tear with relative ease when the consumer opens the bag 100.

Referring now to Figure 17, an alternative to the embodiment 20 shown in Figure 16 can be seen therein. In this embodiment, the zipper skirt 16 includes a section 16b of barrier film. The barrier film 16b is applied (preferably by heat sealing, although other methods, for example, adhesive coupling, ultrasonic or high frequency sealing technology) can be used to the inner surface 16d of the skirt 16 of the zipper. The skirt 16 of the zipper joins forming a heat seal, along a predetermined portion of its outer surface, 16e, to the precursor film 25 to form a tight seal 40. The barrier film section 16b is joins forming a tightly sealable closure to the internal surface 16d to form at least one removable seal 50. Note that it is believed, at the present time, that section 16b must have a surface 16c that is resistant to heat sealing.

Referring now to Figure 18, an alternative to the embodiment 30 shown in Figure 17 can be seen therein. In this embodiment, section 16b of barrier film is joined forming a heat seal to a predetermined portion independent of the internal surfaces 35a and 36a of the precursor film 10 to form two additional sealed seals 40 located below the sealed seals 40 of the skirt 16 of the zipper. The barrier film 16b is provided with a structural weakness indicated by reference 45, which extends straightly and generally parallel to the sealed seals 35. The structural weakness has been designed to break or tear with relative ease when the customer opens the bag 100.

Alternatively, the structure of Figure 17 may have provided a structural weakness 45, as described with reference to Figure 18. In that case, the removable seal 50 will be replaced by a permanent seal. 40

Referring to Figures 19 and 20, a header strip 206, located between the front face 35 and the rear face 36 of the precursor film material 10, of a predetermined size, is of sufficient width to extend downward in the direction of, preferably just above, a tear line 132 (area of structural weakness). The header strip 206 ends at the edge (s) 131. This tear line 132 has the predetermined propensity to tear in a predetermined manner. The extension of the headband strip material 206 runs downward in such a way that it is adjacent to the tear line 132. This facilitates the removal by tearing of the visor structure 11 from the bag 100, along the tear line 132. The optional tear notch 134 facilitates tearing initiation, tear line 132 (the oriented precursor film 10, or tear-prone film 10) directs the tear, and the header material 206, which is attached or arranged forming a seal with the front face 35 and with the rear face 36 of the 50 precursor film 10, controls the tear such that the rack structure 20a is consistently separated from the precursor film material 10 after removal of the visor structure 11.

Alternatively, if the header material 206 is made of an oriented polypropylene having at least one face provided with a sealing agent capable of forming a seal, then the precursor film 10 will not need to be oriented or have the tear line 132 or the propensity to tear. At the present time, it is believed preferable that, if the header material 206 is made of an oriented polypropylene, then the oriented polypropylene should have its two faces coated with a sealing agent capable of forming a heat seal. Alternatively, a plurality of header strips 206 may be used in

instead of a single integral header strip 206. In any case, the precursor film 10 will not necessarily need to be oriented or have a tear line 132 or a propensity to tear.

Referring to Figures 21 and 22, at least one, but preferably two pieces of tear tape 120, located between the front face 35 and the rear face 36 of the precursor film material 10, on the film surfaces 35a and 36a, of a predetermined size, they are joined or arranged forming a seal with the precursor film 5 of the adjacent visor structure 11, preferably just above, to a tear line 132 (structural weakness area). This tear line 132 has the predetermined propensity to tear in a predetermined manner. The tear tape material 120 adjacent to the tear line 132 facilitates tearing of the visor structure 11 of the bag 100 along the tear line 132 in a controlled manner. The optional tear notch 134 facilitates tearing, tear line 132 10 (the oriented precursor film or the tear prone film) directs the tear, and tear tape 120, which is attached or arranged to form a tear. Hermetic closure with the front face 35 and the rear face 36 of the precursor film 10, controls the tear in such a way that the zipper structure 20a is consistently separated from the tear film material 10 after the removal of the visor structure 11. Alternatively, if the tear tape material 120 is made of an oriented polypropylene having at least one face provided with a sealing agent capable of forming a heat seal, then the precursor film 10 will not necessarily have to be , oriented or having tear line 132 or tear propensity.

With respect to the facilitation of the removal of the visor or fold 11, it should be understood that, instead of the incised lines 12, the precursor film 10 may have been weakened in predetermined areas using another 20 procedures as well, which include, but not limited thereto, the incision or use of a multilayer stratified film having a predetermined weakened area, or the addition of a tear aid structure, for example, tear tape 120 or tear chain 120a. The tear aid structure may be added to be used on its own or in combination with a predetermined area of structural weakness 12, to aid in tearing the film 10. See Figures 28 and 29. 25

Referring to Figure 23, another alternative to the embodiment shown in Figure 22 is depicted therein. In this embodiment, tear tape 120 is applied to both internal surfaces 36a and 35a as well as external surfaces 36 and 35 of the bag 100. In this embodiment, no incised or weakening line 132 is considered necessary (although a similar area of structural weakness can be used), since the tear tape 120 located both on the inner and outer surfaces of the bag 100 will act as an effective tear guide 30.

Referring to Figures 24, 25 and 26, another alternative to the embodiment shown in Figure 22 is illustrated therein. In this embodiment a modified tear tape 120b having a tear ball 120c is used.

As Figures 24-26 illustrate, when the film 10 joins forming a tight seal to the tear tape 35 120b, the ball 120c is sunk into the film 10 creating an area of structural weakness 12, without the need for preliminary incision or another modification of the precursor film 10, before the application of tear tape 120b. It is believed that this structure is beneficial because the tear tape 120b is always in alignment with the area of structural weakness 12.

Referring to Figure 27, another alternative to the embodiment shown in Figure 40 is depicted therein. In this embodiment, tear tape 120 is applied to both internal surfaces 36a and 35a as well as external surfaces 36 and 35 of the bag 100. The tear tape 120 is applied so that it borders both sides of the incised or weakened line 132. Since the tear tape 120 is located on both sides of the incised line 132 and on the internal and external surfaces of the bag 100, a very consistent, controlled or guided shutter will be achieved. Four. Five

The tear tape 120 is interchangeable with the tear chain 120a. Accordingly, a tear chain 120a may be arranged by replacing tear tape 120. See, for example, Figures 38 and 39. Preferably, tear tape 120 or tear chain 120a used are made of a material , for example, thermoplastic material, which is compatible with the film 10 and which can be arranged by forming a seal, engaging or joining the film 10. For example, tear tape 120 or tear chain 120a 50 may be made of polyethylene or it can be embedded in polyethylene. It is understood in the art that a tear chain, such as tear chain 120a, can have various cross-sectional shapes, for example, round, square, triangular, etc., which can be used to improve its ability to tear the material from precursor film 10.

In particular, with reference to Figures 30, 32 and 35, the process by which it is believed at the present time is illustrated that the alternative embodiment having the tear tape 120 can be manufactured using an RPM 100 machine. The precursor film 10 is supplied on a predetermined number of rollers and towards the drag opening structure 200. The precursor film 10, after passing through the dancing roller 203a, is punched by means of the die 210 so that it has parallel openings 121. Be

believe at the present time that the film 10 must pass over the dancing rollers 203a so that they remain sufficiently tight, whereby openings 121 are allowed to be cut by punching precisely in predetermined positions, by means of the die 210 , such that the positions of the openings 121 are always at the same or uniform distance from each other. In addition to the precursor film 10, two rolls of tear tape 120 are provided on the precursor film 10 and in parallel alignment with the 5 parallel openings 121, such that the tear tape 120, preferably but not necessarily, bisects each of the parallel openings 121. The tear chain 120a can be replaced by the tear tape 120. See, for example, Figures 38 and 39.

Furthermore, with reference again to Figures 30, 32 and 35, a header material 206 may optionally be provided on the precursor film 10. On the other hand, the rack or slide assembly 20 is 10 also supplied on the film precursor 10. Before being supplied on the precursor film 10, the rack assembly 20 has a notch 22a punched by means of the die 214 and arranged to form a heat seal by means of the shutter 216, in a predetermined position that is also designed to being in integral alignment with the parallel openings 121. Once the tear tape 120 has been presented on the precursor film 10, but before being passed over the spreader 200, it passes 15 over a sealing mechanism 208 of tape tear, such that tear tape 120 joins forming a tight seal with precursor film 10. Alternatively, the tape of tear 120 can be glued in place and subsequently joined forming a tight seal to the precursor film 10, either before or after the drag opener 200.

The parallel openings 121 may be of any shape, although the circular is the preferred form at the present time. Diamond-shaped cuts can be used to further improve the onset of tearing in the precursor film 10. See Figure 37.

Additionally, the notch 22a, as generally illustrated herein, may be of an arcuate or rounded shape with a certain radius, but the notch 22a may also be made at an acute angle, such as an angle of 90 °. See Figure 37. It is believed at the present time that the sharpest angle adds more tension to the structure of the rack assembly 20 and, therefore, it is considered at the present time that a rounded structure with a certain radius is preferred . However, the present invention is not to be construed as limited only to a notch 22a rounded with a certain radius, as illustrated herein.

Once the precursor film 10 is folded, the remaining manufacturing process is carried out as generally illustrated in Figure 35. The zipper skirts 16 are closed forming a tight seal with the respective faces of the precursor film 10 by the seal 14. The header chain 206, if used, is arranged forming a seal with the precursor film 10 by the seal 206a. The lateral seal 30a is performed, which also seals the perimeter or edge 121a of the opening 121. (Note that, if tear tape 120 or tear chain 120a is not used, then it is considered at present that the best it is to add a tear notch 24 to the opening 121 in order to facilitate the removal of the visor 11.) An opening 123 is punched in the package 100 in order to provide a point from which the container 100 can easily be hung for exhibition purposes. The container 100 is then cut along the separation line 101 from the V-fold portion of the forming, filling and sealing machine, and is transferred to the filling and sealing stations, where the filling opening is opened 33 and the container 100 is filled, and a gas is circulated through the filling opening 33. The opening 33 is then tightly sealed by the seal 34a.

Alternatively, referring to Figure 38 and Figure 39, the rack assembly 20 can be subsequently introduced to the drag opening structure 200. The precursor film 10, before being supplied on the rollers 202, is still punched out by means of the die 210 so that it has parallel openings 121. Also, alternatively, the tear tape 120 or the tear chain 120a can be supplied on the precursor film 10 and in parallel alignment with the parallel openings 121, subsequently to the drag opener. 200. See Figures 38 and 39. Again, tear tape 120 or tear chain 120a, preferably but not necessarily, bisects each parallel opening 121. Also, although Figure 39 shows both tear chain 120a and the skirts 16 of the rack assembly 20 being 50 introduced in the precursor film 10 subsequently to the pull-out opener 200, and respectively It is understood that the tear chain 120a or the rack assembly 20 can be introduced before the trailing opener 200. For example, the rack assembly 20 can be introduced after the opener by drag 200, and the tear chain 120a before the drag opener 200. Since the tear tape 120 is interchangeable with the tear chain 120a, it will be apparent to a person with ordinary skill in the art, by reading this description, that the tear tape 120 can also be introduced after the drag opener 200 and used in essentially the same way as the tear chain 120a.

The openings 121 have been provided, at a minimum, to facilitate access to the tear tape 120 or to the tear chain 120a and to facilitate tearing and removal of the visor 11 in order to expose the 60

zipper set 20.

Additionally, the present invention can be used in combination with other VFFS and HFFS machines. The present invention can also be used with HFW machines. However, when using VFFS machines or HFFS machines, it is believed at the present time that the method of the present invention requires further compression (commonly referred to as further crushing) of a predetermined portion 5 of rail structures 20b , with respect to the embodiment shown in Figure 6 (which is also sometimes referred to as rail passage 20b herein), of the slide closure assembly 20 located within a margin or line 10b of the precursor film 10 where a seal 30a is desired, especially a tight seal. Alternatively, the rail mass 20b may have a previously compressed portion located with the margin 10b. It is not believed that prior compression or subsequent compression 10 is necessary in case a notch has been cut by punching, for example, the 22nd of Figure 7, on the rack assembly 20. However, if desired prior compression, then this is carried out, in the present invention, in the shutter 216 shown in Figure 30. This is so that, when, in either an HFFS or VFFS machine, the rail mass 20b (in which the slide or rack structure 20a has been avoided) pass through the side sealing portion of the package of any of the machines, 15 if a consistent tight seal 30a is produced by the application of the bars machine heaters used. As will be apparent to a person with ordinary skill in the art from this description, if a notch is cut, for example, the notch 22a of Figure 7, of the rack assembly 20, then there is no structure or mass for the shutter 216 compresses it beforehand, shutter 216 will only provide the seal 22b of the cut end 22, as shown in Figure 7. 20

In applications that use HFW machines for the manufacture of the embodiment shown in Figure 5, such as machines of the Jones Automation Company, it is not believed necessary to compress previously, subsequently compress or crush a predetermined portion of the rail mass 20b. HFW machines have a rotary jaw assembly that includes an articulated side. The jaw assembly provides at least two advantages, any of which, separately or in combination, eliminates the need for a prior compression 25 of the rail mass 20b. First, the jaw assembly provides a relatively long time, longer than the time provided by the VFFS or HFFS machines, for the application of sufficient heat and pressure to form the desired seal 30a. Second, the portion of the rail mass 20b that constitutes the objective of being cast or sealed (generally located within the contour of the margin 10b), is placed or supplied inside the jaw assembly in such a way that it is placed towards, and near, the articulated portion of the jaw assembly and, in this way, a maximum mechanical advantage and force can be applied to the predetermined portion of the rail mass 20b.

If the longer shutter time or the mechanical advantage of the jaw assembly of the HFW machine were not available, then, referring to Figure 6, since generally there is not enough space in an HFW machine to compress the lane mass 20b, lane mass 20b may be previously punched with a die in the predetermined position 22a (in which the seal 30a is also applied or created), before being inserted into the fold 11 of the precursor film 10 Since the previously punched area or notch 22a will be synchronized so that it is facing each other with the portion of the folded precursor film 10 to be sealed, less energy (time, temperature and / or pressure) is needed, due to the reduced mass to be sealed, to consistently obtain the desired type of seal 30a. 40 (Note that prior punching can also be used instead of prior compression with HFFS or VFFS machines.)

Referring now to Figures 40, 40a, 41 and 41a, an alternative which is not in accordance with the invention can be observed therein. The film 10 bends over itself, as shown, to form the bending structure 11, and a rack assembly 20 is placed over the bending structure 11. A weakened areas 45 are preferably placed below the rack structure 20a, such that, when the rack structure 20a is in the open position, the fold structure 11 and its weakened areas 12 are exposed to allow the user to access the fold structure 11. If observed in Particularly in Figure 41, the superjacent zipper skirt 16 of the alternative embodiment can be seen. The zipper skirt 16 is usually composed of two strips of plastic film pieces or a single piece unit 50 of continuous film, and it is noted that it has its inner surfaces 17 joined forming a seal with the outer surfaces 35b, 36b of film 10, in respective sealed seals 40c, 40d. The bending structure 11 is preferably designed to act as a non-perforated hermetic barrier for the protection of the contents of the bag 100. The tearing of the bending structure 11 allows the user to access the content and also provides visual evidence that the Hermetic seal has broken. See particularly Figures 40a and 41; The inner surfaces 35a, 36a of the precursor film 10 can also be joined in a removable seal with one another, using a known releasable adhesive 51, in order to provide a hermetic or gas-tight seal 50 releasable in between. The seal 50 is located adjacent to, preferably just below, the weakened areas 12.

As best seen in Figures 40 and 40a, two bags 100 are shown before being separated along the separation line 101. The alternative embodiment seen in these views is composed of film

precursor 10, which is used to form the bag 100 to be filled. The bag 100 additionally includes a header 15 and a picket hole 15a, which in this embodiment is observed at the opposite end to the fold 11. It is believed at the present time preferable, after folding and sealing of the film precursor 10, that the precursor film 10 be cut by punching to form a tear area 24a. The precursor film is then joined forming a tight seal around the perimeter of the tear area 24a clipped 5 by punching, and a tear notch 24 is added, as seen in Figure 40. These steps are preferably taken to out before fixing the zipper assembly 20 and the zipper skirt (s) 16. Following this, the zipper assembly 20 is placed and attached to the outer surfaces 35b, 36b of the precursor film 10, and on the fold 11. Alternatively, the precursor film 10 can be joined forming a seal around the perimeter so as to include the sealed perimeter of the tear area 24a 10 cut by punching, such that, after the punching stage which forms the tear area 24a, the sealed perimeter remains. The tear notch 24 provides a starting point for the removal of the bending film 11, which is surrounded by the zipper assembly 20 and the fixed zipper skirt 16. On the other hand, at least one piece of tear tape 120, located between the front face 35 and the rear face 36 of the precursor film 10, on the film surfaces 35a and 36a, of a predetermined size, can be attached or 15 arranged forming a seal with the precursor film 10 in the fold 11. The tear tape 120 is located adjacent to, preferably just above, a tear line 132 (structural weakness area). This tear line 132 has the predetermined propensity to tear in a predetermined manner. The tear tape material 120 adjacent to the tear line 132 facilitates tear-off separation of the bending structure 11 with respect to the bag 100. The aforementioned tear notch 24 facilitates the tearing 20 of the tear.

Referring to Figures 41 and 41a, the skirt (s) 16 remains intact (s), such that the rack assembly 20 is kept continuous for ease of handling. Once placed (s) on the punching structure 11, the skirt (s) 16 of the rack assembly 20 are attached to the external surfaces 35b, 36b of the precursor film 10 by sealing position (positions) 40c , 40d. Next, the sides 30 and 32 are sealed along a margin 10c illustrated in Figure 40, using a known mechanism such as a heat sealing bar or a forming, filling and sealing machine (as described earlier in this Application), by advancing the film 10 to the portion of the heat seal bar of the machine to be used.

It will be apparent to a person with ordinary knowledge of the art, after reading this description, that the present alternative embodiment shown in Figures 40, 40a and 41, 41a can be manufactured using the methodology previously described herein, with the necessary modifications that this memory shows for a person skilled in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 42-45a, there is shown an alternative embodiment of a folding bag 100 'that includes a portion 310 provided with a corner and a filling opening 300 on one side. 35

The refolding bag 100 'provided with a corner includes at least one sheet of web material 10 having at least two areas of structural weakness 12. The areas of structural weakness 12 can be microperforations, incisions or any other structural weakness that allows for easy tearing of the web material 10. The weakened areas 12 define a detachment portion by integral tearing or bending structure 11. The refolding bag 100 'provided with a corner is further defined by a portion 310 provided with a corner and a filling opening Sealing 300. Sealing filling opening 300 is generally located between the bending structure 11 and the portion 310 provided with a corner. A backing or barrier strip 320 is inserted between the skirts 16 of the zipper. The backing or barrier strip 320 is preferably made of a two-layer material and may be composed of a sheet film such as the Curwood's 7182 barrier film. A first face, or inner face, 328 may be composed of nylon, polypropylene or any other suitable material 45 that does not bind to the precursor film 10 during sealing. A second face, or outer face, 329 of the strip 320 may be provided with a sealed agent, such as a polyethylene, a mixture of polyethylene or a coextrusion of polyethylene. The backing or barrier strip 320 is preferably notched as indicated by references 326 and 326a (which are best seen in Figure 47) in order to allow adequate sealing of the lateral seal 30a. A zipper assembly 20 having fixed zipper skirts 16 is 50 inserted in the fold structure 11. When the zipper assembly 20 and the skirt (s) 16 are attached to the inner surface 36a of the precursor film 10 as indicated by reference 14, the sturdy inner face 328 of the strip 320 prevents the skirt (s) 16 from joining each other forming a seal along its respective inner surface 17, as seen particularly in Figure 45. Skirts 16 are attached, in the place indicated by reference 14, to the inner surface of the precursor film 10. 55

As can be seen in Figure 42, two bags 100 'have been shown before being separated along the separation line 101. This embodiment includes incised lines 12 extending in a configuration that includes a tear notch 24. The tear notch 24 provides a starting point for the removal of the bending structure 11, which is located above the rack assembly 20. The precursor film 10 is joined forming a seal, by section 26, either their opposite faces 35 and 36, either to the structure 60 of the rack assembly 20. For ease of illustration, it should be appreciated that the seal 30a extends to

through notches 326, 326a located on strip 320, and area 26a refers to the general area of the hermetic side seal 30a adjacent to notches 326, 326a. The bending structure is defined by the position of the incised lines 12. The incised lines 12 extend below the zipper assembly 20, substantially over the entire width of the bag provided with corner and folding 100 ', which facilitates removal of the fold structure 11 and the exposure of the rack structure 20a. The embodiment of Figure 42 includes, in an additional manner, a sealed filling opening 300 located below the rack assembly and above the bottom corner 310.

Referring now to Figures 43 and 44, a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 42 can be seen therein. In particular, the backing or barrier strip 320 is observed such that an upper portion 324 thereof is fixed to the internal surface 17 of the zipper skirt 16. As can be seen further, a lower portion 322 of the barrier strip 320 is fixed to the internal surface 32a of the bag 100 'at a point just located below the filling opening 300. As illustrated, in particular, in Figure 44, the lower portion 322 is observed before being fixed to the internal surface 32a, with the filling opening 300 in the open position. For illustration purposes, when the opening 300 is shown in the closed position, the band edges 400 are observed without completely contacting butt. It is also understood that, although it is preferred that the edges 400 contact butt, it is within the scope of the present invention to include a closed opening 300 in which the band edges 400 are not completely in butt contact.

Referring to Figure 45, the film 10 is folded on itself, as shown, to form the bending structure 11, and a zipper assembly 20 is inserted. The weakened areas 12 are preferably placed below the rack structure 20a, such that, when the fold structure 11 is 20 removed, the rack structure 20a is exposed sufficiently above the resulting flap structures 19, in order to allow the user to access the rack structure 20 a. The skirts 16 of the zipper have been shown attached to the film 10. However, it is believed preferable at the present time that, before the insertion of the zipper assembly 20, the uncut ends (which are not observed in these views) of each rack assembly 20 are cut by punching or trimmed to form a notch 22a rounded with a certain radius, as shown in Figure 42. As seen in Figure 45, an upper portion 324 of a backing strip or barrier 320 is fixed to the internal surface 17 of one of the skirts 16 of the zipper. A lower portion 322 of the strip 320 extends beyond the distal margin 342 of the skirt 16 of the zipper and is attached to the inner surface 36a of the face 36. It is believed preferable at the present time that, before being fixed to the skirt 16 of the zipper, the backrest or barrier strip 320 are cut by punching or trimmed 30 to form the groove 326 (seen in Figure 47). As can be seen, additionally, in Figure 47, the barrier strip 320 is further punched before insertion into the bending structure 11, in order to form the notch 326a, also facing each other with the lateral seal 30a . The notches 326 and 326a are located so that they are facing each other with the notch 22a rounded with a certain radius, belonging to the rack assembly 20, so that all of them are placed face to face 35 with the lateral seal 30a; see Figures 42 and 48. Consecutive notches 326, 326a of the barrier strip 320 alleviate the presence of the barrier strip 320 in the lateral seal 30a, thereby facilitating tight sealing in the area 26a (as noted better in Figure 42). The seal is obtained by forming a seal with the opposite internal surfaces 35a, 36a, as indicated by 26a and 30a. The inner surface 10a of the precursor film 10 joins simultaneously forming a tight seal to the zipper skirts 16 in the area 14, as seen in Figure 45, and, simultaneously, the inner surfaces 17 of the skirts 16 (Figure 45) are joined together forming a seal, in the areas removed by notch 326 and 326a, as indicated by reference 26a, where the barrier strip is not present (as best seen in Figure 42).

As illustrated in Figures 45 and 47, skirt (s) 16 remains intact, so that the rack assembly 20 is kept continuous for ease of handling. Once inserted, the skirt (s) of the rack assembly 20 is attached to the inner surface 10a of the precursor film 10 by the sealing position (s) 14.

Referring to Figures 46, 47 and 48, the procedure by which it is believed that the filling bag 100 'on one side and provided with corner of an alternative embodiment is fabricable is illustrated (see 50 Figures 42-45 ), using an RPM 100 machine. The film 10 is supplied on a predetermined number of rollers and in the direction of the trapezoidal drag opening structure 200a. In addition to the precursor film 10, the rack assembly 20 and the backing strip 320 are supplied on the precursor film 10. It is believed at the present time that the rack assembly 20 and the backing strip 320 must pass over dancing rollers 203a so that these are held tight enough to allow the notches 22a, 326 and 326a to be cut by punching precisely in predetermined positions such that the notches 22a and 326 face each other when the backing strip 320 is inserted between the skirts 16 of the zipper. Before being supplied on the precursor film 10, the rack assembly 20 has a notch 22a die cut by means of a die 214 ', and has been heat sealed, by means of a plug 216', in a predetermined position, in the seal 22b, which It has also been designed to be in general alignment with the notch 60 326 of the strip 320, formed by a die 214 '', and with the 326a, formed by the die 214 '. It should be appreciated that the groove 326 is preferably formed such that the distal margin 342 of the skirt 16 extends within

of the notch 326. This configuration allows the notch 326a to be formed by means of the die 214 ’with a minimal opportunity for the skirt 16 to be inadvertently made a notch by the die 214’. The 214 ’die simultaneously forms notches 326a and 22a. The precursor film 10 is bent over the rack assembly 20 in order to form the bending structure 11. Before the precursor film 10 is passed over the opener by trapezoidal drag 200a, it passes over a sealing mechanism 216 of the rack by virtue of which the skirts 16 of the zipper are joined forming a seal to the precursor film 10 by the internal surfaces 35a, 36a of the opposite faces 35, 36, respectively. Unlike previous embodiments, no sheet is necessary between the skirts 16 during the seal, since, as seen in Figure 45, the inner face 328 of the strip 320 will not join forming a seal to the inner surface 17 of the opposite zipper skirt 16. On the other hand, corner holes 344 are punched out by means of the die 10 344a in a predetermined position designed to be in general alignment with the lateral seal 30a. The corner holes 344 allow the corner bends to be fixed to each other by the side seal 30a, whereby rigidity is added to the corner portion 310 of the bag 100 'provided with corner. This added stiffness allows the bag 100 'provided with a corner to stand on its own when placed on a flat surface such as a table or a refrigerator shelf (not seen in these figures). On the other hand, with reference to the bags 460 provided with a prior art corner which are observed in Figure 57, additional seals 470 can be included for additional stiffness and containment capacity, as would be desirable with liquid products.

In addition, referring to Figures 46 and 47, optionally, a header material 206 can be supplied on the precursor film 10. The header strip 206, if used, is joined together forming a seal 20 with the precursor film 10 by the seal 206a, which is particularly observed in Figure 47. As seen in Figure 46, the seal 206a has been formed by the heat shutter 216. The heat shutter 216 simultaneously joins forming the seal (s) skirt (s) 16 of the zipper with the precursor film 10 as indicated by reference 14. The precursor film 10, fixed to the zipper assembly 20, and the strip 320 are passed over the roller 350. Once the film precursor 10 has been folded 25 and the zipper assembly 20 has been inserted, the rest of the manufacturing process is carried out as generally illustrated in Figure 48. The precursor film 10 and the cr assembly Fixed zipper 20 passes over a bending board or trapezoidal tracer 200a. The bending stage leaves a flat bottom before the precursor film 10 is passed over a recessing board 334. The recessing board 334 bends back the background that was previously made flat from the precursor film 10, until it forms a corner 310. The 30th side seal 30a has already been made. It should be appreciated that the barrier strip 320 preferably enters marginally in the area of the lateral seal 30a through the seal area 26a. The notches 326 and 326a preferably remove most of the barrier strip 320 existing in the area of the seal 30a in order to provide a tight seal 30a. While it is preferred that the barrier strip 320 be minimally introduced into the area of the lateral seal 30a by the seal area 26a, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a barrier strip 320 that terminates before, in, or beyond, the area of the lateral seal 30a. On the other hand, it is to be understood that the present invention can be practiced using a barrier strip 320 having sealed areas longitudinally spaced from each other, whereby notches 326 and 326a are not necessary and the sealing areas are arranged so which are in alignment with the shutter area 30a. The tear notch 24 is added to facilitate the removal of the fold 11. An opening 123 40 has been punched in the package 100 ′ in order to provide a point where the package 100 ′ can be easily hung for exposure purposes. The container 100 'is then cut along the separation line 101, from the bag-making portion of the forming, filling and sealing machine, and is transferred to the filling and filling stations, where the opening is practiced of lateral filling 300 and the container 100 'is filled through the lateral filling opening 300. The opening 300, which is seen in Figure 48, is then hermetically sealed by the seal 340, as seen in Figure 48 .

The presence of the backing or barrier strip 320 allows the seal 340 to be formed while the internal surfaces 17 of the skirts 16 of the rack are not joined forming a seal with one another (see Figure 45). As previously described with reference to Figures 42-45, the inner face 328 of the strip 320 will not join forming a tight seal to the inner surface 35a or the zipper skirt 16 during the sealing, whereby it is allowed a shutter without the need for a sheet between the skirts 16.

Referring now to Figures 49-52, there is illustrated a filling bag on one side and provided with alternative corner 100 'which does not fall within the scope of the invention. As can be seen, a zip fastener assembly 20 ', which has a lower skirt (s) 16 and upper skirts 16a, can be inserted into the fold structure 11. As in the embodiment shown in the Figures 42-45a, the refillable bag 55 'provided with a corner, with the zip fastener assembly 20', as seen in Figures 49-52 includes at least one sheet of web material 10 having at least two areas of structural weakness 12.

The weakened areas 12 define a tear detachment portion or integral bending structure 11. The refolding bag 100 'provided with a corner is further defined by a portion 310 provided with a corner and a sealed filling opening 300 which is located between the bending structure 11 and the portion 310 provided with a corner. As best seen in Figure 52, the 20 'zip fastener assembly

it usually includes a male rail structure 330 and a female rail structure 331. The male rail structure 330 and the female rail structure 331 include, each of them, a top rack skirt 16a of web material which extends therefrom, and a bottom zip skirt 16 which extends therefrom. Each zipper skirt 16, 16a includes a predetermined coupling area, arranged to be joined forming a seal to the precursor film 10 by the sealing position 14. 5

As can be seen, in addition, in Figure 52, the skirt (s) 16 of the zipper joins (n) forming a heat seal to the inner surface 35a, 35b of some side panels, 35 and 36 respectively , of the precursor film 10. A backing or barrier strip 320 is located between the skirts 16 of the zipper and extends below them. As explained with reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 42-45, the backing or barrier strip 320 is preferably two layers and is composed of a laminated film 10 such as the Curwood's 7182 barrier film. in this form, the strip includes a first face 328 and a second face 329. The first face 328 is preferably composed of nylon, polypropylene or any other substance known in the art that does not join the skirt 16 of the zipper or the precursor film 10 during heat sealing. The second face 329 may be provided with a sealing agent, such as a polyethylene, a mixture of polyethylene or a coextrusion of polyethylene. The second face, or face of the sealing agent, 329 of the strip 15 320 is joined forming a tight seal or is glued to the inner surface 17 of the skirt 16 of the zipper before insertion into the bending structure 11, in a position adjacent to the filling opening on one side and sealing 300 existing in the seal 335. The sturdy inner face 328 of the strip 320 prevents the skirt (s) 16 from securing each other at along their respective inner surfaces 17 during sealing of the filling opening on one side 300. The backing or barrier strip 320 is preferably fitted as indicated by references 326 and 326a, as shown in Figure 54, to allow a joint forming an appropriate seal of the lateral seal 30a.

As can be seen in Figure 49, there are shown two bags 100 'that have a fastener zipper assembly 20', before being separated along the separation line 101. It is observed that the incised lines 12 they have been arranged extending outwardly in a portion that includes a tear notch 24. The tear notch 24 provides a starting point for removal of the bending structure 11, which is located above the rack assembly 20 ' Closing by tightening. The bending structure 11 is defined by the position of the incised lines 12. The precursor film 10 is joined forming a seal, in the area 26a, either its opposite faces 35, 36, either to the structure of the rack assembly closing by tightening 20 '. For ease of illustration, it is appreciated that the seal 30a extends downwardly through the notches 326, 30 326a made in the strip 320. Reference number 26a refers to this general area of the hermetic side seal 30a. The alternative seen in Figure 49 additionally includes a sealed filling opening 300 located below the bending structure 11 and above the bottom corner 310.

Referring then to Figures 50 and 51, a cross-sectional view of the alternative of Figure 49 can be seen therein. In particular, the backing or barrier strip 320 with the upper portion 354 is observed thereof fixed to the internal surface 17 of the skirt 16 of the zipper. The lower portion 322 of the barrier strip 320 is fixed to the inner surface 36a of the precursor film 10 at a point below the filling opening 300. As particularly illustrated in Figure 51, the lower portion 322 is Observe before fixing it to the internal surface 36a, with the filling opening 300 in the open position. For illustration purposes, when the opening 300 is shown in the closed position, as in Figure 52, for example, the band edges 400 are seen without fully contacting butt. It should be understood that, while it is preferred that the band edges 400 contact fully butt when the opening 300 is in the closed and sealed position, it is possible, additionally, to include a closed opening 300 having band edges 400 which Do not contact butt.

Referring now to Figures 53-55a, the process by which the filling bag can be manufactured on one side provided with an alternative corner 100 '(shown in Figures 49-52) is illustrated. As seen particularly in Figure 54, a fastener closure zipper assembly 201 can be introduced before the trapezoidal drag opening structure 200a. The precursor film 10 is supplied on a predetermined number of rollers and towards the trailing opener 200a.

The 20 'tightening closure zipper assembly and the backing strip 320 are supplied on the precursor film 50. It is believed at the present time that the tightening closure 20' zipper assembly and the backing strip 320 must pair on the dancing rollers 203a so that they remain tight enough to allow the notches 326 and 326a to be cut by punching precisely in predetermined positions such that the notches 326 and 326a face each other when the strip of Backrest 320 is inserted between the skirts 16 of the zipper. As seen in Figure 54, the notch 326 is cut by punching 55 before the insertion of the strip 320 between the skirt (s) 16, while the notch 326a is trimmed by punching before insertion of the tightening closure zipper assembly 20 'within the bending structure 11. It can be further observed that the notch 326 is preferably formed such that the distal margin 342 of the skirt 16 extends within the notch 326. This configuration allows the notch 326a to be formed by the die 214 'while preventing the skirt 16 from being inadvertently notched 60 by the die 214'. The 214 ’die punches the notch 326. Figure 55a illustrates the position of the notches

326, 326a with respect to the backing strip 320 and the distal margin 342 of the skirts 16 of the zipper. The 20 'closing zip fastener assembly joins forming a heat seal, by means of the shutter 216, to the strip 320 by the seal 335.

The precursor film 10 is folded over the 20 'closing zip fastener assembly to form the 11 fold structure.

As can be seen in Figure 53, before being passed on the opener by trapezoidal drag 200a, the precursor film 10 passes over a zipper sealing mechanism 216, thanks to which the skirts 16 of the zipper are joined forming a hermetic closure with the precursor film 10 on internal surfaces 35a, 35b of opposite faces 35, 36, respectively. As can be seen further in Figure 53, the fastening zipper assembly 20 'and the backing strip 320 pass, additionally, on a sheet 450 that allows the 10 skirts 16 and 16a to be joined forming a heat-tight seal to the band 10, while preventing the internal surfaces 17 of the skirts 16, 16a from joining together forming a seal with one another. On the other hand, corner holes 344 are punched by means of die 344a, in a predetermined position designed to be in general alignment with lateral seal 30a. The corner holes 344 allow the corner bends to be fixed to each other in the side seal 30a, whereby rigidity is added to the corner portion 310 15 of the bag 100 'provided with corner. This added stiffness allows the corner bag 100 'to stand on its own when placed on a flat surface, such as a table or a refrigerator shelf (not shown in these views).

Again referring to Figures 53 and 54, optionally, a header material 206 may be provided on the precursor film 10. The header strip 206, if used, is attached forming a seal to the precursor film 10 by the seal 206a, seen particularly in Figure 54. Once the precursor film 10 has been folded and the zip fastener assembly 20 'and the strip 320 have been inserted, the rest of the manufacturing process is carried out as generally illustrated in Figure 55. The precursor film 10, with the fastener zipper assembly 20 'and the strip 320 fixed, passes over a bending board or trapezoidal tracer opener 200a. The bending stage leaves a flat bottom before the precursor film 10 is passed over a recessing board 334. As also illustrated in the manufacturing steps of the bag 100 'provided with corner which is seen in the Figures 42-45, the recessing board 334 bends back the bottom that was previously made flat from the precursor film 10, to form a corner 310. The lateral seal 30a is made and the tear notch 24 is added in order to facilitate the removal of the bending structure 11. It can be seen that the barrier strip 320 enters, preferably marginally, in the area of the lateral seal 30a through the seal area 26a. Most strip 320 is removed by making notches 326 and 326a, whereby a tight seal is allowed as indicated by reference 30a. While it is preferred that the barrier strip 320 be minimally inserted into the area of the lateral seal 30a, it should be understood that the barrier strip may terminate before, at, or beyond, the lateral seal 30a, in the area 26a . An opening 123 is punched in the package 100 ’in order to provide a point from which the package 100’ can easily be hung for exposure purposes. As seen in Figure 55, the package 100 'is then cut along the separation line 101 from the bag-making portion of the forming, filling and sealing machine, and is transferred to the filling stations and seal, where the lateral filling opening 300 is opened and the container 100 'is filled through the lateral filling opening 300. The opening 300 is then hermetically sealed by the seal 340. The seal 40 340 is formed without having to use a sheet between the skirts 16, due to the presence of the strip 320 between the skirts 16, which prevents the inner surfaces 17 of the skirts 16 from joining together to form a tight seal with one another while the opening 300 is sealed.

It should be understood that the filling bags 100 and 100 'on one side, provided with a corner and having a backing or barrier strip 320 may, alternatively, include any of the features disclosed with reference to the embodiments shown in the Figures 1-4. On the other hand, although it has not been shown in the figures, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide an antiobturation agent, applied by brush, to the inner surface 17 of the skirts 16 of the zipper. A brush-applied antiobturation agent, such as nitrocellulose obtained from the Amantceh, can therefore take the place of the barrier or backing strip 320 and provide a function lacking attachment to the inner surface 17 of skirts 16 of 50 the zipper during the sealing of the filling opening 300.

Claims (13)

1.- A refolding bag (100) intended to be filled with at least one food product, such that said re-folding bag (100) comprises: at least one sheet of web material (10), which has at least one bending structure (11) that forms a visor and is located between at least two predetermined areas (12, 132) that have a propensity to tear 5 into a predetermined direction and having at least two side wall structures (35, 36) having internal surfaces (35a, 36a), and an opening generally opposite to said bending structure (11); a retractable bra structure (20), located within said bending structure (11), which includes a skirt structure (16) comprising a band material extending therefrom and including opposite distal margin structures; such that said band material of said integral skirt structure 10 (16) is joined forming a seal to said internal surfaces (35a, 36a) by a plurality of predetermined sealing areas, such that the fastener structure Rebuckable (20) extends beyond said at least two predetermined tear areas (12, 132), and the rewritable fastener structure (20) includes a male rail structure and a female rail structure, characterized in that the structures Male and female lane extend beyond said at least two predetermined tear areas (12, 132). fifteen 2. The folding bag (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a barrier band material that extends between said distal margin structures and is coupled thereto. 3. The folding bag (100) according to claim 1, such that said folding bag (100) is capable of being filled with at least one food product through said opening. 4. The re-folding bag (100) according to claim 1, wherein said re-folding bra structure (20) additionally includes a male rail structure and a female rail structure, such that said rail structure male includes a first web material flap structure extending therefrom, and said female rail structure includes a second web material flap structure extending therefrom. 5. Reboolable bag (100) according to claim 1, wherein said flap structure includes a predetermined coupling portion; such that said coupling portion of said first flap structure is coupled to said first panel, and said coupling portion of said second flap structure is coupled to said second panel. 6.- A method for manufacturing a re-folding bag (100) intended to be filled with at least one food product, including said re-folding bag (100) at least one sheet of web material having at least 30 two predetermined tear areas ( 12, 132), at least one bending structure (11), and an opening generally opposed to said bending structure (11); a retractable bra structure (20), which includes at least one integral skirt structure (16) of skirt band material extending therefrom; such that said integral skirt structure (16) includes at least one distal margin; such that said distal margin is coupled to said band material in at least one position between said tear area (12, 132) and said opening; said buckling fastener structure (20) extending beyond said tearing areas (12, 132) and within said bending structure (11), such that the male and female rail structures extend beyond said areas tear (12, 132); said folding bag (10) being capable of being filled with at least one food product, so that said method comprises: folding said sheet of web material along a predetermined bending area to produce said bending structure 40 (11) , such that said bending structure (11) is located between at least the two predetermined tear areas (12, 132); inserting said folding bra structure (20) into said bending structure (11); coupling said distal margin of said integral skirt structure (16) to said band material; sealing said band material along at least two predetermined linear areas generally located perpendicular to said bending structure (11); filling said foldable bag (10) with at least one food product through said opening; and seal said opening. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of sealing said web material along at least two predetermined linear areas is the last. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first step consists of coupling at least a predetermined portion of said distal margin of said integral skirt structure (16) to at least a predetermined portion 50 of said material of said band, before folding said sheet of web material. 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first stage consists of inserting and sealing a header material within said predetermined bending area, at least before the stage of sealing said band material along of at least said two predetermined linear areas. 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first stage of inserting and sealing at least one tear structure within said predetermined fold, is at least prior to the stage of sealing said band material along at least said two predetermined linear areas. 11. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first step consists in sealing a predetermined portion of said bending structure and forming a header structure; such that said additional stage is subsequent to said step of folding said sheet of web material along a predetermined bending area located between said areas of structural weakness, in order to form said bending structure. 5 12. The method according to claim 6, wherein said at least one distal margin consists of two distal margin structures and additionally comprises a barrier band material that extends between the distal margin structures and is coupled to them. 13. The method according to claim 6, wherein said male rail structure includes a first flap structure of web material extending therefrom, and said female rail structure 10 includes a second flap structure of band material extending from it.