JP2021504085A - Fasteners with an uneven number of rail segments and posts - Google Patents

Abstract

Fasteners include a backing material and a row of rail segments and a row of posts that project vertically from the backing material. In some embodiments, rows of rail segments and rows of posts alternate. Each rail segment has a base portion attached to the backing material and a cap portion distal to the backing material. The cap portion has a cap width larger than the width of the base portion, and the cap portion projects from the base portion on the opposite side portion. The number of posts in one row of posts is greater than the number of rail segments in one row of rail segments. Each post has a height that is less than or equal to the height of the rail segment and a length that is different from the length of the rail segment. A fastening system that includes a fastener and a packaging body that includes the fastener is also described.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications This application is of US Patent Provisional Application Nos. 62 / 590,946 filed on November 27, 2017 and No. 62 / 648,548 filed on March 27, 2018. Priority is claimed and these disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Background Technology Fasteners are used in a variety of applications such as constructs, machinery, medical devices, automotive assemblies, personal care products, and the textile industry. Commonly known fasteners range from rivets, snaps, and buttons to hook-and-loop fasteners, each of which is a component for assembling two articles together (eg, male and female). It contains a joint different from the component). Some fasteners, sometimes referred to as self-fitting fasteners or hook-hook fasteners, are composed of interconnecting members that do not include male and female components. In order to assemble the two articles together, each fastening member is attached to the surface of the respective article, and the two articles are joined together when the fastening member is fitted.

Specific fasteners containing different structures on the same fastener have been reported. See, for example, US Pat. Nos. 5,586,372 (Eguchi), 5,884,374 (Clone), 6,276,032 (Nortman), and 6,546,604 (Galkiewicz). Different structures may have different shapes, sizes, or engaging functions.

The recloseable packaging can be used as a container for various consumer goods such as dried products, foods such as potato chips and cheese, animal foods, and turf care products. Such packaging is available in a variety of shapes and sizes. In addition, the various recloseable packages can be versatile containers capable of maintaining the storage of consumer goods placed within the package as the package is opened and closed a desired number of times. For example, a versatile package can be closed after providing user access to the contents placed within the package to prevent the contents from flowing out of the package. These versatile packages can include built-in fasteners that can be repeatedly opened and closed. In addition, the various versatile packages are resealed after the initial opening of the package to keep the contents fresh and prevent the ingress of various external elements such as air, moisture and various contaminants. Can be done.

Typically, the recloseable packaging can be made from one or more sheets or films containing one or more flexible materials. The film can be folded and sealed together to form a pouch with an internal volume and an opening in which consumer goods can be placed within the volume. Fasteners can be placed adjacent to openings that can be repeatedly manipulated from closed to open configurations.

Several recloseable packages with self-fitting fasteners have been reported. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,641,278 (Ducauchuis) and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006/01687776 (Dais) and 2013/0071047 (VanLocke).

The present disclosure provides fasteners that include a row of rail segments and a row of posts on the backing material. Typically and advantageously, the unique structure of the fasteners can allow multiple cycles of fastening and unfastening without excessive plastic (ie, irreversible) deformation of the engaging rail segments. The fasteners of the present disclosure can be useful as self-fitting fasteners for recloseable packaging.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides fasteners. Fasteners include a backing material and a row of rail segments and a row of posts that project vertically from the backing material. In some embodiments, rows of rail segments and rows of posts alternate. Each rail segment has a base portion attached to the backing material and a cap portion distal to the backing material. The cap portion has a cap width larger than the width of the base portion, and the cap portion projects from the base portion on the opposite side portion. The number of posts in one row of posts is greater than the number of rail segments in one row of rail segments. Each post has a height that is less than or equal to the height of the rail segment and a length that is different from the length of the rail segment.

In another aspect, a fastening system including fasteners is provided.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides fasteners attached to a portion of the package.

In this application
All headings described herein are for the convenience of the reader and are not used to limit the meaning of the text following the headings unless otherwise noted.

The term "comprises" and its variants have no limiting meaning as long as these terms appear within the scope of the present specification and claims. Such terms suggest that one step or element described, or a group of steps or elements, is included, but excludes any other steps or elements, or groups of steps or elements. It is understood to suggest that it will not be done.

Terms such as "a", "an" and "the" are not intended to refer only to a singular entity, but include general types that can be used to illustrate examples. Terms such as "one (a)", "one (an)" and "the" are used interchangeably with the term "at least one".

Following the enumeration, the phrase "contains at least one of" refers to including any one of the items in the enumeration and any combination of two or more items in the enumeration. The phrase "at least one of" following the enumeration refers to any one of the items in the enumeration, or any combination of two or more items in the enumeration.

As used herein, the term "or" is generally used in the usual sense, including "and / or", unless the content specifically states otherwise.

The term "and / or" means one or all of the listed elements, or any combination of any two or more of the listed elements.

As used herein, the term "mechanical orientation" (MD) means the orientation of the traveling web of material during the manufacturing process. When the strip is cut from the continuous web, the dimensions in the machine direction correspond to the length "L" of the strip. The terms "mechanical direction" and "longitudinal direction" may be used interchangeably. As used herein, the term "machine lateral" (CD) is used to refer to a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the machine direction. When the strip is cut from the continuous web, the machine lateral dimensions correspond to the strip width "W". Therefore, the term "width" usually refers to the shorter dimension in the plane of the first surface of the backing material, which is the surface that supports the rail segments and posts. As used herein, the term "thickness" generally refers to the smallest dimension of a fastener, which is a dimension orthogonal to the first surface of the backing material.

As used herein, the term "alternately" means that one row of rail segments is placed between any two adjacent rows of posts (ie, there is only one row of posts between the rows). A row of posts (with rail segments of) is located between rows of two adjacent rail segments.

As used herein, the term "vertical" refers to the relationship between the backing material and the rail segment and / or post being substantially vertical. "Substantially vertical" means that the plane defined by the backing material and the rows of rail segments or posts can deviate by up to 10 degrees (up to 7.5 or 5 in some embodiments) from the vertical. Means.

In the context of measured quantities, as used herein, the term "about" is predicted by those skilled in the art who make measurements and take a level of care commensurate with the purpose of the measurement and the accuracy of the measuring equipment used. Refers to fluctuations in the measured amount. As used herein, the "maximum" (eg, maximum 50) before a number includes that number (eg, 50).

All numerical ranges include endpoints of these ranges and non-integer values between the endpoints (eg, 1-5 are 1,1.5,2,2.75,3, unless otherwise stated. Includes 3.80, 4, 5, etc.).

These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the "forms for carrying out the invention" below. However, the above outline should not be construed as a limitation to the claimed subject matter under any circumstances, although the subject matter is defined only by the attached "Claims". , May be amended during the procedure.

The present disclosure can be more fully understood by considering the following detailed description of the various embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
It is the schematic perspective view of one Embodiment of the fastener of this disclosure. It is a schematic side view of the fastener of FIG. 1A. It is a schematic side view of the fastener of FIG. 1A, and is orthogonal to the side view shown in FIG. 1B. It is the schematic perspective view of another embodiment of the fastener of this disclosure. It is a schematic side view of the fastener of FIG. 2A. It is a schematic side view of one embodiment of the fastening system of the present disclosure, wherein both fastening members include the fasteners of FIGS. 2A and 2B. It is a schematic side view of the embodiment of the fastener of the present disclosure deformed during fastening, and the strain calculated by finite element modeling is shown in shades. It is a schematic side view of the fastener of FIG. 3A after fastening, and the residual strain calculated by finite element modeling is shown by shading. It is a schematic side view of the fastener according to the present disclosure, and the permanent plastic deformation after fastening calculated by finite element modeling is shown by shading. It is a schematic front view of one Embodiment of a recloseable package. It is a schematic rear view of the recloseable packaging body of FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic top perspective view of the recloseable package of FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the recloseable packaging of FIG. 5 comprising one embodiment of the fasteners of the present disclosure arranged in a closed configuration. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the recloseable packaging of FIG. 5 with an intact upper seal region and an embodiment of the fasteners of the present disclosure arranged in an open configuration. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the recloseable packaging of FIG. 5 comprising one embodiment of the fasteners of the present disclosure arranged in an open configuration. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an opening of a recloseable package of FIG. 5 when the fasteners are in a closed configuration. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a recloseable package. It is a schematic front view of the recloseable packaging body of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a recloseable package. It is a schematic front view of the recloseable packaging body of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus and method used to form a recloseable package. It is a micrograph of the fastener produced in Example 2.

Detailed description of the invention

Embodiments of the fasteners of the present disclosure are shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C. The fastener 1 includes a backing material 2 having a length (l), a width (w), and a thickness (t). Fastener 1 includes row 14 of rail segment 4. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the rail segment 4 projects vertically from the backing material 2. Each of the rail segments 4 has a base portion 10 attached to the backing material 2 and a cap portion 8 distal to the backing material 2. The cap portion 8 has a cap width X4 that is larger than the width X1 of the base portion 10, and the cap portion 8 projects to the base portion 10 on the opposite side. The ratio of the cap width X4 to the width X1 of the base 10 is typically at least 1.25: 1, 1.5: 1 or 2: 1 and at most 3: 1, 4: 1, or 5. It can be 1. FIG. 1B shows the cap overhang distance X6. In some embodiments, the cap portion 8 overhangs the base portion 10 on all sides of the base portion 10. FIG. 1C shows a cap overhang distance Y5 in a direction parallel to the length (l) of the fastener 1. The cap also has a cap thickness, and if the cap is not straight, the line tangent to the highest point on the cap above the backing material and the line tangent to the lowest point on the cap above the backing material. Measured as the distance between. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, the cap thickness is Z1-Z2. In the term "row of rail segments", it should be understood that each row 14 includes two or more rail segments 4. The fastener 1 does not include a continuous rail, instead the rail segments 4 are separated from each other on the backing material 2. For example, the caps 8 of the rail segments 4 in the row 14 are separated by a distance Y3 between the caps in a direction parallel to the length (l) of the fastener 1.

In some embodiments, the base portion 10 of the rail segment 4 has a length Y1 that is greater than the width X1 of the base portion 10. In some embodiments, the ratio of length Y1 to width X1 of base 10 is at least about 1.5: 1, 2: 1, 3: 1, 4: 1, 5, 1, 10: 1. Or 15: 1. The base portion 10 of the rail segment 4 may have various cross-sectional shapes. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the base portion 10 may be polygonal (for example, rectangular, hexagonal, or octagonal), and the cross-sectional shape of the base portion 10 may be curved (for example, elliptical). The base portion 10 may be tapered from the base to its distal end. In this case, and in the case of the curved base portion, the ratio of the length Y1 to the width X1 of the base portion 10 is measured from the longest point and the widest point. As shown in FIG. 1B, the length Y1 of the base portion at the longest point is substantially the same as the length of the cap portion.

In embodiments such as those shown in FIG. 1C, the base portion 10 that tapers from the base to the distal end has an inclined surface and a taper angle A1 between the inclined surface and the backing member 2. In some embodiments, the taper angle A1 between the inclined surface of the base 10 and the backing material 2 ranges from 91 degrees to 130 degrees, and in some embodiments 91 degrees to 125 degrees, 95 degrees to 95 degrees. It is in the range of 120 degrees, 95 degrees to 115 degrees, 95 degrees to 110 degrees, 93 degrees to 105 degrees, or 95 degrees to 100 degrees.

In some embodiments, the rail segment 4 has a maximum height Z1 (above the backing material 2) of up to 3 mm (mm), 1.5 mm, or 1 mm, and in some embodiments at least 0. It has a minimum height of 1 mm or 0.2 mm. The height Z1 of the rail segment 4 can be in the range of 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm, 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm, or 0.35 mm to 0.55 mm. The thickness Z7 of the cap portion 8 of the rail segment 4 may be in the range of 0.03 mm to 0.3 mm, 0.04 mm to 0.15 mm, or 0.04 mm to 0.1 mm. In some embodiments, the base portion 10 of the rail segment 4 has a maximum width X1 of up to about 0.5 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.3 mm, or 0.2 mm, and at least 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, or It has a minimum width of 0.125 mm. Some useful widths X1 of the base 10 range from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm, or 0.125 mm to 0.175 mm. The useful cap width X4 of the rail segment 4 is in the range of 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, 0.3 mm to 0.45 mm, or 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm. Some useful cap overhang distances X6 of the rail segment 4 are in the range of 0.025 mm to 0.4 mm, 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm, or 0.1 mm to 0.25 mm. In some embodiments, the rail segment 4 has a maximum length Y1 of up to about 1.5 mm (in some embodiments, up to 1.25, 1.0, 0.9 mm, or 0.8 mm). It has a minimum length Y1 of at least about 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.4 mm, or 0.5 mm. The length Y1 of the rail segment can be in the range of 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm, or 0.600 mm to 0.800 mm. Some useful cap overhang distances Y5 in the length direction of the rail segment 4 range from 0.025 mm to 0.2 mm, 0.025 mm to 0.1 mm, or 0.04 mm to 0.075 mm. In some embodiments, the cap-to-cap distance Y3 in the direction parallel to the length (l) of the fastener 1 is up to about 0.5 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.3 mm, or 0.25 mm, and at least. It is about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, or 0.125 mm. A useful inter-cap distance Y3 is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, or 0.125 mm to 0.225 mm.

Fasteners of the present disclosure typically include a row of posts. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the fastener 1 includes a row 16 of posts 6 projecting vertically from the backing material 2. In some embodiments, rows 14 of rail segments 4 and rows 16 of posts 6 alternate. The fastener 1 can have at least 2, 3, 5, or 10 rows 14 of rail segments 4 alternating with rows 16 of 10 posts 6. In the term "post columns", it should be understood that each column 16 includes two or more posts 6. Fastener 1 does not include a continuous ridge, instead the posts 6 are separated from each other on the backing material 2. For example, the posts 6 in row 16 are separated by a distance Y4 in a direction parallel to the length (l) of the fastener 1. Generally, the post has a length different from the length of the rail segment. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the length Y1 of the base portion 10 of the rail segment 4 is longer than the length Y2 of the post 6. The length Y1 of the base portion 10 of the rail segment 4 can be at least 2, 3, or 4 times the length Y2 of the post 6. Since the fastener 1 is useful as a self-fitting fastener, the height of the post is generally equal to or less than the height of the rail segment. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the height Z3 of the post 6 is smaller than the height Z1 of the rail segment 4. In some embodiments, the height Z3 of the post 6 is up to 95, 90, 80, 75, or 70% of the height Z1 of the rail segment 4.

In the fasteners of the present disclosure, the number of posts 6 in one row of rows 16 of posts is greater than the number of rail segments 4 in one row of rows 14 of rail segments. The number of posts 6 in one row of rows 16 of posts can be at least 1.5 times, 2 times, or 3 times the number of rail segments 4 in one row of rows 14 of rail segments.

Posts useful in the fasteners of the present disclosure may have various cross-sectional shapes in a plane parallel to the backing material. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the post may be a polygon (eg, square, rectangle, rhombus, hexagon, pentagon, or dodecagon) that may or may not be a regular polygon, or a pillar. The cross-sectional shape of is curved (eg, circular or oval). In some embodiments, the post has a base and a distal end attached to the lining, the distal end having a cross-sectional area less than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the base. The post may taper from the base to its distal end, but this is not required. In some embodiments, the post has a distal cap with a cap width greater than the width of the base. The cap may overhang the base portion on the opposite side, or may overhang the base portion on all sides. Capped posts useful in the fasteners of the present disclosure may have a variety of useful shapes such as mushrooms (eg, having a circular or oval head extended from the stem), nails, T, or golf tees. it can.

With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C again, in some embodiments, the posts 6 useful for the fasteners of the present disclosure are up to about 0.5 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.3 mm, or 0.2 mm. Having a maximum width X2 and a minimum width of at least 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, or 0.125 mm, some useful widths X2 of the post 6 are 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, 0.1 mm to. It is in the range of 0.2 mm, or 0.125 mm to 0.175 mm. In some embodiments, the posts 6 useful for the fasteners of the present disclosure have a maximum length Y2 up to about 0.5 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.3 mm, or 0.2 mm and at least 0.05 mm. It has a minimum width of 0.1 mm, or 0.125 mm. Some useful widths Y2 of the post 6 range from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm, 0.1 mm to 0.15 mm, or 0.125 mm to 0.175 mm. In some embodiments, the distance Y4 between the posts 6 in the direction parallel to the length (l) of the fastener 1 is up to about 1.5 mm (in some embodiments up to 1.25, 1). 0.0, 0.9 mm or 0.8 mm), at least about 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, or 0.4 mm. The distance Y4 between the posts 6 can be in the range of 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm, or 0.400 mm to 0.600 mm.

In embodiments such as those exemplified in FIG. 1C, the post 6 that tapers from the base to the distal end has an inclined surface and a taper angle A2 between the inclined surface and the backing member 2. In some embodiments, the taper angle A2 between the inclined surface of the post 6 and the backing material 2 ranges from 91 degrees to 130 degrees, and in some embodiments 91 degrees to 125 degrees, 91 degrees to 120 degrees. It is in the range of degrees, 91 degrees to 115 degrees, 91 degrees to 110 degrees, 91 degrees to 105 degrees, or 95 degrees to 100 degrees.

In some embodiments, the post 6 has a maximum height Z3 of up to 2.85 mm (mm), 1.25 mm, or 1 mm (above the backing material 2), and in some embodiments, the post 6 has a maximum height Z3. It has a minimum height of at least 0.08 mm or 0.16 mm. The height Z3 of the post can be in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm, 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm, 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm, or 0.35 mm to 0.55 mm. In some embodiments, each of the posts has a height-width aspect ratio of at least 1.5: 1, at least 2: 1, or at least 3: 1. In some embodiments, the posts have a height-length aspect ratio of at least 1.5: 1, at least 2: 1, or at least 3: 1, respectively.

Another embodiment of the fasteners of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In the present embodiment, the cap portion 8 of the rail segment 4 has a shape different from that of the cap portion 8 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C. The features and dimensions of any of the embodiments described above for the fasteners shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C can be used in combination with the fasteners shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

The fastener 1 is useful, for example, as a self-fitting fastener. As used herein, self-fitting refers to a fastener in which fastening is achieved by interengaging fastening elements of the same type (eg, fastening heads). In some embodiments, self-fitting refers to a fastener in which fastening is achieved by interengaging fastening elements of the same shape. In some embodiments, the self-fitting is configured to be folded along an axis parallel to either the length (L) or width (W) of the fastener, seeing, for example, FIGS. 1A and 2A. Refers to the fact that the fastener can engage with itself when at. Two fastening members (eg, first and second fastening members (1, 5)), each having the structure shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, are self-fitting engagements, as shown in FIG. 2C. Can be concluded together. In some embodiments, the first fastening member 1 is the fastening tool of the present disclosure as described above in any of the embodiments, and the second fastening member may include a rail segment, but may include a post. It does not have to be included. In some embodiments, the first and second fastening members may be different embodiments of the fasteners of the present disclosure. For example, the first fastening member 1 may have a cap shape as shown in FIG. 1A, and the second fastening member 5 may have a cap shape as shown in FIG. 2A. In any of these embodiments, when the first and second fastening members 1 and 5 are fastened, the post typically bends away from the rail segment, while the post bends away from the rail segment, as shown in FIG. 3A. The cap portions of the rail segments of the first and second fastening members exceed each other. The post then returns to its original position after the first and second fastening members have been fastened as shown in FIG. 3B.

Therefore, in some embodiments, the flexural rigidity of the post is lower than the flexural rigidity of the rail segment. The flexural rigidity k of the small strain behavior is determined by the equation k = 3EI / H, in which E is the coefficient of the material constituting the post and rail segment, and H is the height of the post or rail segment. , I = W ³ L / 12, where W is the width and L is the length of the post or rail segment. In some embodiments, the length of the base of the rail segment is longer than the length of the post. In these embodiments, the flexural rigidity of the rail segment is greater than the flexural rigidity of the post when the width of the base and the width of the post are similar. With reference to FIG. 1A again, the row 14 of the rail segment 4 as a whole can have greater flexural rigidity than the row 16 of the post 6. If there are more posts 6 in row 16 of the posts, then the flexural rigidity of the posts (eg, selective length or) so that row 16 of post 6 has less flexural rigidity than row 14 of rail segment 4 as a whole. It can be adjusted (depending on the width). The flexural rigidity of each row of rail segments or posts can be determined by the number of rail segments or posts in each row and the respective bending stiffness of the rail segments or posts.

In some embodiments, the fastening system of the present disclosure can be releasably fastened. As used herein, the term "releasably fastable" means that the fastening member alternates between the fastening configuration and the non-fastening configuration at least once without impairing the function of the fastener. It means that you can do it. Typically and advantageously, the unique structure of the fasteners of the present disclosure allows for multiple cycles of fastening and disengagement without excessive plastic (ie, irreversible) deformation of the engaging rail segments. Can be done. As described in detail in the following examples, comparative fasteners that include rail segments but do not have posts may be fastened when the rail segments are pressed against each other for interconnection and cross each other. it can. The cap portion of the rail segment of the fastener of the comparative example exhibits a relatively high level of plastic (ie, irreversible) deformation after engagement as shown in FIG. Due to the plastic deformation, the shape of the fasteners changes with the first and subsequent engagements, which may limit the ability of the fasteners of Comparative Examples to be released and refastened. In contrast, in the fastening system of the present disclosure, when the first and second fastening members are fastened, the cap portions of the rail segments of the first and second fastening members engage with each other, as shown in FIG. 3A. Elastically deforms while crossing. The cap portion of the rail segment of the fastener of the present disclosure exhibits a relatively low plastic (ie, irreversible) deformation after engagement, as shown in FIG. 3B.

Fasteners 1 shown in FIGS. 1A-C and 2A-C are useful, for example, as self-fitting fasteners, one of the posts 6 in adjacent rows 14 and 16 and one base portion 10 of the rail segment 4. The shortest distance X8 between and is wide enough to allow the insertion of the cap portion 8 of the rail segment 4. The distance X8 may be substantially the same as X4, as described above for X4 in any of the embodiments. In some embodiments, the distance X8 is within about 20, 15, or 10 percent of the cap width X4. In some embodiments, the ratio of the distance X8 to the width X1 of the base 10 is in the range 2: 1-5: 1 or 2: 1-4: 1, or this ratio is about 3: 1. There may be. The distances X3 and X5 between one of the posts 6 in the adjacent rows 14 and 16 and one of the cap portions 8 of the rail segment 4 are distances because the cap width X4 is wider than the width of the base portion X1. Generally smaller than X8. Some useful distances X3 and X5 range from 0.08 mm to 0.8 mm, 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm, or 0.2 mm to 0.35 mm. The distances X3 and X5 between the post 6 and the cap portion 8 of the rail segments 4 of the two adjacent rows need not be equal.

In some embodiments, the first and second fastening members, when fastened, can slide relative to each other in a direction parallel to the length of the backing material. This can be advantageous, for example, when the first and second fastening members are first fastened and the alignment of the first and second fastening members with respect to each other is not desirable. The first and second fastening members can be slid to a fixed position to achieve the desired alignment.

The first and second fastening members of the fastening system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may or may not be connected together. In some embodiments, the first and second fastening members may be connected to two separate substrates. In some embodiments, the first and second fastening members may be part of the same strip material in which the first fastening member is folded into contact with the second fastening member.

In the fasteners according to the present disclosure, at least a part of the rail segment, the post, and the backing material is integrated (that is, they are simultaneously formed as a unit as a whole and become a single unit). Fastening elements such as rail members and upright posts on the backing can be manufactured, for example, by supplying a thermoplastic material to a continuously moving mold with a cavity having an inverted shape of the fastening element. it can. This thermoplastic material can be passed between the nip formed by the two rollers or between the die surface and the roller surface, and at least one of these rollers has a cavity. The pressure provided by the nip pushes the resin into those cavities. In some embodiments, vacuum can be used to empty the cavity for easier filling. The nip has a sufficiently large gap so that a consistent backing material is formed above the cavity. The backing material may be formed without a hole penetrating the backing material. The mold surface and the cavity can be air-cooled or water-cooled, if desired, before the integrally formed backing material and fastening element are separated from the mold surface by a stripper roll or the like.

Suitable mold surfaces for forming fastening elements on the backing include tool rolls, such as those formed from a series of plates defining a plurality of cavities in the periphery, eg, US Pat. No. 4, 775, 310 (Fisher). The cavities can be formed in those plates, for example by drilling or photoresist techniques. Other suitable tool rolls include wire wrap rolls, which, along with their manufacturing methods, are disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,190,594 (Gorman et al.). Another example of a method for forming a backing with an upright fastening element defines an array of cavity in the shape of the fastening element, as described in US Pat. No. 7,214,334 (Jens et al.). Examples include those using a flexible molded belt. Yet another useful method for forming a lining with an upright fastening element is U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,287,665 (Hammer), 7,198,743 (Tuma), and No. It can be found in Nos. 6,627,133 (Tuma).

If the rail segment formed upon exiting the cavity does not have a cap, the first and second fastening members have no sealing relationship with each other. Subsequently, a cap can be formed on the rail segment by a capping method as described in US Pat. No. 5,077,870 (Melbye et al.). Typically, the capping method involves using heat and / or pressure to deform the tip of the rail segment. This heat and pressure can be applied sequentially or simultaneously if both are used. The formation of rail segments also includes the step of changing the shape of the cap, as described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 6,132,660 (Kampfer) and / or 6,592,800 (Levitt). You can also. For example, one or more of these processes may be useful in changing the shape of the cap portion 8 shown in FIG. 1A to the shape shown in FIG. 2A. The formation of rail segments can also include the step of embossing the cap, for example as described in US Pat. No. 6,000,106 (Kampfer). After one or more of these capping processes, the first and second fastening members in the fastening system of the present disclosure can be closed together. The amount of force required to close and detach the first and second fastening members can be adjusted as desired by adjusting the capping process.

Another useful method for fastening the elements on the backing is, for example, the extrusion of deformed material described in US Pat. No. 4,894,060 (Nestegard). Typically, in this method, the thermoplastic flow stream is passed through a patterned die lip (eg, cut by electrical discharge machining) to form a web with ridges downstream of the web, and these ridges are sliced. The web is stretched to form a separate fastening element. The ridges may be considered precursors to the fastening elements and may exhibit the cross-sectional shape of the rail segments and posts formed. The ridges are individually sliced at multiple positions discrete along the extension of the ridges and have a length in the ridge direction that substantially corresponds to the length of the fastening element to be formed. Part is formed. The fastening element is separated by stretching the backing material so as to be plastically deformed.

The fasteners of the present disclosure may be made from a variety of suitable materials, including thermoplastic materials. Examples of thermoplastic materials suitable for making fasteners using the methods described above are polyolefin homopolymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, copolymers of ethylene, propylene and / or butylene, ethylene vinyl acetate and ethylene acrylate. Copolymers containing ethylene such as, poly (ethylene terephthalate), polyester such as polyethylene butyrate and polyethylene naphthalate, polyamide such as poly (hexamethylene adipamide), polyurethane, polycarbonate, poly (vinyl alcohol), polyether ether Examples include ketones such as ketones, polyphenylene sulfides, and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic material useful for making fasteners comprises at least one of polyolefin, polyamide, or polyester. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic materials useful for making fasteners are polyolefins (eg, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, ethylene copolymers, propylene copolymers, butylene copolymers, and copolymers and formulations of these materials). Is. In some embodiments, the fasteners of the present disclosure are made from a formulation of any of these thermoplastic materials with an elastomer. Examples of elastomers useful for such bond layers are elastomers such as ABA block copolymers (eg, A block is polystyrene-based, formed primarily from substituted (eg, alkylated) or unsubstituted moieties, and B block. Is predominantly formed from conjugated diene (eg, isoprene and 1,3-butadiene, which may be hydrogenated), polyurethane elastomers, polyolefin elastomers (eg, metallocene polyolefin elastomers), olefin block copolymers, polyamide elastomers, ethylene. Examples include vinyl acetate elastomers and polyester elastomers. Examples of useful polyolefin elastomers include ethylene propylene elastomers, ethylene octene elastomers, ethylene propylene diene elastomers, ethylene propylene octene elastomers, polybutadienes, butadiene copolymers, polybutenes or combinations thereof. Elastomers are available from various commercial sources listed below. Any of these elastomers may be present in the formulation with any of the thermoplastic materials in an amount of up to 20, 15, or 10% by weight.

The backing material of the fasteners of the present disclosure may have various thicknesses. In some embodiments, including the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2C, the thickness (Z4-Z5) of the backing material 2 integrated with the rail segment 4 and post 6 is up to about 300 micrometers. It may be (μm), 250 micrometers, or 200 micrometers, and at least about 50 micrometers or 75 micrometers. This thickness does not include the height of the rail segments and posts protruding from the first main surface of the backing material. In some embodiments, the thickness of the thermoplastic lining is in the range of 50 to about 300 micrometers, about 50 to about 200 micrometers, or about 50 to about 150 micrometers.

In some embodiments, including the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2C, the rail segment rows 14 and the post rows 16 are independently formed on the fillet 12. With reference to FIG. 1B, the fillet thickness Z6 on the backing material 2 is up to about 100 micrometers (μm), 75 micrometers, or 50 micrometers, and at least about 10 micrometers or 15 micrometers. You may. This thickness does not include the height of the rail segments and posts protruding from the first main surface of the backing material. In some embodiments, the fillet thickness Z6 ranges from 10 to about 100 micrometers, about 15 to about 75 micrometers, or about 20 to about 50 micrometers. In some embodiments, the backing material, excluding the rail segments, posts, and fillets, is approximately uniform in thickness. For thermoplastic materials that are nearly uniform in thickness, the difference in thickness between any two points on the backing material may be up to 5, 2.5, or 1 percent.

The rail segments on the first surface of the lining can have a density of at least 10 (63 square inches in ² ) per square centimeter (cm ² ). For example, the density of the rail segments is at least 100 / cm ² (635 / in ² ), 248 / cm ² (1600 / in ² ), 394 / cm ² (2500 / in ² ), or 550 / cm ² (3500 / in ² ). It may be in ² ). In some embodiments, the density of the rail segments is up to 1575 / cm ² (10000 / in ² ), up to about 1182 / cm ² (7500 / in ² ), or up to about 787 / cm ² (5000 / in ^2). ) May be. For example, densities in the range of 10 / cm ² (63 / in ² ) to 1575 / cm ² (10000 / in ² ) or 100 / cm ² (635 / in ² ) to 1182 / cm ² (7500 / in ² ) Can be useful. The density of the rail segments is related to the distance X7 between the rail segments, which is measured as the distance between the centers of the rail segments in the adjacent row, as shown in FIG. 1B. Various distances X7 between rows of rail segments can be useful. In some embodiments, the distance X7 between rows of rail segments is 0.25 mm to 2.5 mm, 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, or 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm. The spacing between the rows of rail segments and posts need not be uniform, for example, as shown in FIGS. 8-10.

In some embodiments, the backing material can be uniaxially or biaxially stretched. Stretching in the mechanical direction can be performed on a continuous web of backing material, for example by orienting the web on an increasing speed roll. Machine lateral stretching can be performed, for example, on a continuous web using branch rails or branch disks. A general-purpose stretching method that enables uniaxial and continuous biaxial stretching of the thermoplastic layer uses a flat film tenter device. Such devices use multiple clips, grippers, or other film edge gripping means along both edges of the thermoplastic web to propel the gripping means at different speeds along the branch rails. The thermoplastic layer is gripped so that uniaxial and biaxial stretching can be obtained in the desired direction. In general, increasing the clip speed in the mechanical direction results in stretching in the mechanical direction. It is also possible to stretch at an angle with respect to the mechanical direction and the lateral direction by the flat film tenter device. Uniaxial and biaxial stretching can also be achieved, for example, by the methods and devices disclosed in US Pat. No. 7,897,078 (Petersen et al.) And the literature cited herein. Flat film tenta stretching devices are commercially available, for example, from Bruckner Machinenbau GmbH, Siegsdorf, Germany.

In some embodiments, after stretching, the thermoplastic film has an average thickness of up to 150 μm, 125 μm, 100 μm, 80 μm, or 75 μm. In some embodiments, the average thickness of the backing material after stretching is in the range of 30 μm to 150 μm, 50 μm to 150 μm, or 50 μm to 125 μm. In general, the backing material does not have through holes before or after stretching. In some embodiments, the density of rail segments and / or posts after stretching may be up to about 1182 / cm ² (7500 / in ² ) or up to about 787 / cm ² (5000 / in ² ). For example, 2 / cm ² (13 / in ² ) to 1182 / cm ² (7500 / in ² ), 124 / cm ² (800 / in ² ) to 787 / cm ² (5000 / in ² ), 248 / cm ² Post-stretch densities in the range of (1600 / in ² ) to 550 / cm ² (3500 / in ² ) or 248 / cm ² (1600 / in ² ) to 394 / cm ² (2500 / in ² ) are useful. possible. Again, the spacing between the rail segments and the rows of posts need not be uniform.

In some embodiments, the backing material comprises a multilayer structure. The multilayer structure can include 2 to 10, 2 to 5, or 2 to 3 layers. The plurality of layers can include a film, an adhesive, and a bonding layer. Multiple layers can be joined together using a variety of methods, including coating, adhesive bonding, and extrusion lamination. In some embodiments, the backing material with protruding rail segments and posts can be made from a multi-layer molten stream of thermoplastic material (eg, using any of the methods described above). As a result, it is possible to obtain at least partially formed protruding rail segments and posts from a thermoplastic material different from that predominantly forming the lining. Various configurations of upright columns made from multi-layer molten streams are shown, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,106,922 (Cejka et al.). In some embodiments, the thickness of the backing material (including the multilayer backing material) combined with the height of the rail segment is up to 3300, 2000, 1000, 900, 800, 700, 650, 600, 500, 540, or It is 400 micrometers. In some embodiments, the thickness of the fastening system according to the present disclosure in which the first and second fastening members are engaged with each other is up to 3300, 2000, 1000, 900, 800, 750, or 700 micrometers. ..

The flexural rigidity of the fastener (eg, on the axis parallel to the width of the fastener) is the coefficient of the material that makes up the backing material, the thickness of the layers that make up the backing material, and the structure on the backing material (rail segments and It is affected by the distance between (including the posts) and the dimensions of the fasteners parallel to the bending axis. In general, the material, the thickness of the layers within the fastener, and the distance between the structures can be selected to provide the fastener with the desired flexural rigidity. Advantageously, in many embodiments of the fasteners of the present disclosure, the flexural rigidity of the fasteners is low enough to prevent the fasteners from unintentionally opening when the fasteners are bent. In some of these embodiments, the flexural rigidity of the fastener in a closed configuration is 100 mN / mm to 1500 mN / mm, 200 mN, measured by the flexural rigidity test method, for example, as described in the following examples. It is in the range of / mm to 1200 mN / mm or 300 mN / mm to 1000 mN / mm.

In some embodiments, the fasteners and / or fastener linings of the present disclosure include a binding layer. The bond layer can include an elastomeric material or other material that has a lower melting point than the backing material integrated with the rail segment and post. Examples of elastomers useful for such bond layers are elastomers such as ABA block copolymers (eg, A block is polystyrene-based, formed primarily from substituted (eg, alkylated) or unsubstituted moieties and B block. Is mainly conjugated diene (eg, isoprene which may be hydrogenated and 1,3-
(Formed from butadiene), polyurethane elastomers, polyolefin elastomers (eg, metallocene polyolefin elastomers), olefin block copolymers, polyamide elastomers, ethylene vinyl acetate elastomers, and polyester elastomers. Useful polyolefin elastomers include ethylene propylene elastomers, ethylene octene elastomers, ethylene propylene diene elastomers, ethylene propylene octene elastomers, polybutadienes, butadiene copolymers, polybutenes or combinations thereof. Various elastomeric polymers and other polymers may be formulated to have varying degrees of elastomeric properties. For example, any of these elastomeric materials is present in the range of 50% to 95% by weight in the formulation with any of the above thermoplastic resins to form a backing material integral with the rail segment and post. You may.

Many types of elastomers are commercially available, including those commercially available from BASF (Fourham Park, NJ, USA) under the trade name "STYROFLEX" and "KRATON" from Kraton Polymers (Houston, USA). Commercially available under the trade name of "PELLETHANE", "INFUSE", "VERSIFY", "NORDEL", and "ENGAGE" from Dow Chemical (Midland, NJ, USA). Commercially available from DSM (HeerleN, USA) under the trade name "ARNITEL", E.I. I. Includes those marketed under the trade name "HYTREL" from duPoNt de Nemours aNd Company (Wilmington, Delaware, USA), those marketed under the trade name "VISTAMAXX" from ExxonMobil (Irving, Texas, USA), and others. Is done.

In some embodiments, the fasteners and / or fastener linings of the present disclosure include a layer of hot melt adhesive. Hot melt adhesives are typically non-sticky at room temperature, and the use of hot melts can reduce contamination on the equipment during film handling and lamination. Suitable hot melt adhesives include those based on ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-acrylate copolymers, polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, styrene block copolymers, polycaprolactones, and polycarbonates, and various tackifier resins. It can include plastics, pigments, fillers, and stabilizers. Examples of suitable hot melt adhesives include those available from 3M Company in St. Paul, Minnesota under the trade name "3M SCOTCH-WELD" hot melt adhesives (eg, Products 3731B and 3674PG).

In some embodiments, the bond layer or hot melt adhesive is thermally activated in the temperature range of 90 ° C to 125 ° C, depending on time and pressure, and is a substrate such as a film used in recloseable packaging. Can be useful for making a fixed bond to. With reference to FIG. 1B again, the bond layer or hot melt adhesive layer 3 can have any useful thickness Z5. In some embodiments, the bond layer or hot melt adhesive layer 3 has a thickness Z5 of up to 0.1 mm, 0.075 mm, 0.05 mm, or 0.025 mm. Typically, the bond layer or hot melt adhesive layer 3 has a thickness of at least 0.005 mm or 0.01 mm. Useful thickness Z5 has thicknesses in the range of 0.005 mm to 0.1 mm, 0.005 mm to 0.05 mm, and 0.01 mm to 0.025 mm.

The fasteners of the present disclosure can be useful for joining two articles together for a variety of purposes. For example, the fasteners of the present disclosure can be useful as self-fitting fasteners for recloseable packaging. The self-fitting fastener can be connected to the packaging or pouch. The self-fitting fastener can have an open configuration and a closed configuration. When in the open configuration, the self-fitting fasteners are adapted to allow access to the internal volume of the pouch through an opening located within the pouch after the initial opening of the pouch. In addition, when in the closed configuration, the self-fitting fasteners are adapted to prevent access to the internal volume of the pouch through the opening.

5-10 are various views of one embodiment of 100 recloseable packages. The recloseable packaging 100 includes a pouch 120 that defines an internal volume 122 and an opening 124 that provides access to the internal volume. The pouch 120 further includes an upper sealing area 140 located adjacent to the opening 124, which sealing area is adapted to break and allow the initial opening of the pouch. The recloseable packaging 100 further includes a self-fitting fastener 150 connected to the pouch 120. The self-fitting fastener 150 can include any suitable fastener, such as the fastener 1 of FIGS. 1A-C and 2A-C. The self-fitting fastener 150 includes an open configuration (as shown in FIG. 7) and a closed configuration (as shown in FIGS. 5-6). When in the open configuration, the self-fitting fastener 150 is adapted to allow access to the internal volume 122 of the pouch 120 through the opening 124 after the seal area 140 has been broken. Further, when in the closed configuration, the self-fitting fastener 150 is adapted to prevent access to the internal volume 122 of the pouch 120 through the opening 124.

As used herein, the term "enable access" means that the user of the recloseable packaging 100 reaches the internal volume 122 of the pouch 120 through the opening 124 and consumes placed within the internal volume. It means that you can grasp at least a part of the good. Further, as used herein, the term "prevent access" means that the user of the recloseable packaging does not first operate the self-fitting fastener 150, but the internal volume of the pouch 120 through the opening 124. It means that it is not possible to reach 122 and grasp at least a part of the consumer goods placed within the internal volume.

The pouch 120 can include any suitable bag or packaging that defines an internal volume 122. In addition, the pouch 120 can be adapted to accommodate any suitable item. In one or more embodiments, the pouch 120 comprises any suitable consumer product, such as food products such as crackers, potato chips, and cheese, granular or powdered products, animal feed, lawn and garden products, and the like. Can be adapted as

The pouch 120 can be manufactured using any suitable technique. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-10, the pouch 120 extends vertically, substantially parallel to the first and second side edges 134, 136 of the pouch, as shown in FIG. It is formed from a single piece of material or film connected along the rear seal area 138. Further, the pouch 120 includes an upper seal area 140 and a lower seal area 142. The rear, upper, and lower sealing areas 138, 140, 142 are made of any suitable technique, such as ultrasonic welding, bonding (eg, using the hot melt adhesives described herein), heat. It can be formed using a seal and a combination thereof. In one or more embodiments, the seal areas 138, 140, 142 can be formed using the same technique. In one or more embodiments, one or more of the seal areas 138, 140, 142 can be formed using a technique different from that used to form the other seal areas.

The pouch 120 can include any suitable dimensions and can take any suitable shape or combination of shapes. Further, the pouch 120 includes a front panel 130 and a rear panel 132. The front panel 130 and the rear panel 132 can meet at the first and second side edges 134, 136. In one or more embodiments, the front panel 130 and the rear panel 132 are integrated so that the pouch 120 provides a seam or seal area adjacent to one or both of the first and second side edges 134, 136. Not included. As used herein, the term "adjacent to a side edge" means that the element or component of the packaging 100 is of the first and second side edges 134, 136 relative to the rear sealing area 138. It means that it is located close to one side. In one or more embodiments, the front and rear panels 130, 132 can be connected to each other at the side edges 134, 136 using any suitable technique. For example, in one or more embodiments, the front panel 130 and the rear panel 132 are made separately and by connecting the front panel to the rear panel, at the first and second side edges 134, 136. , Can be joined together.

The pouch 120 can include an opening 124 (FIG. 7) that provides access to an internal volume 122. The opening 124 can be placed at any suitable location within the pouch 120. As shown in FIG. 7, the opening 124 is arranged adjacent to the upper edge 126 of the pouch 120. As used herein, the term "adjacent to the upper edge" means that an element or component of the packaging 100 is placed closer to the upper edge 126 of the pouch 120 than to the lower edge 128 of the pouch. It means that it is. The opening 124 can have any suitable shape and can have any suitable dimensions. In one or more embodiments, the opening extends between the first and second side edges of the pouch 134, 136. In one or more embodiments, one or more sealing areas may be placed between the edge of the opening 124 and the first and second side edges 134, 136 of the pouch 120, for that purpose. The opening does not extend to one or both of the first and second side edges of the pouch. In one or more embodiments, the opening 124 of the pouch 120 may be defined by the upper edge 126 of the pouch.

In one or more embodiments, the pouch 120 may include a sealing area located adjacent to the opening 124, the sealing area being broken and fitted to allow initial opening of the pouch. This allows the user to access the consumer goods located within the internal volume 122. As used herein, the term "first opening" refers to the first opening of a recloseable package by the user after manufacturing and filling the package. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-10, such a sealing region includes an upper sealing region 140. The upper seal region 140 seals the pouch 120 prior to the initial opening of the pouch to store consumer goods placed within the internal volume 122. To access such consumer goods, the user can break the upper seal area 140 using any suitable technique such as pulling, tearing, cutting and the like.

The pouch 120 can be made using any suitable material, such as one or more inorganic, polymeric, and metallic materials. In one or more embodiments, the pouch 120 is a polyolefin (eg, oriented polypropylene OPP, low density polyethylene (LDPE), and linear low polyethylene (LLDPE)), polyester (eg, poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET)). , Polyacrylate, and one or more polymeric materials such as ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). Films of these materials are available, for example, as monolayer films and as multilayer films containing functional bonding layers. Multilayer films can be made by coextrusion or stepwise extrusion. The functional bond layer can be made by blending with 5% to 50% by weight of the functional polymer in any of the polymeric materials described for the pouch. The multilayer film is usually configured with a binding layer inside the pouch 120, which can allow adhesive bonding and sealing of the pouch. Many functional polymers useful as binder layer resins are commercially available, for example, from the Dow Chemical Company under the trade name "AMPLIFY". In one or more embodiments, the pouch 120 can include a flexible material. The bond layer on the pouch may further comprise any of the elastomeric materials described above in relation to the bond layer on the fastener.

The pouch 120 uses any suitable technique such as inkjet printing, laminating, digital printing, flexographic printing, screen printing, ink transfer, and combinations thereof, and one or both of the front and rear panels 130, 132. Any suitable graphic (not shown) placed in the can be included. In one or more embodiments, a graphic (not shown) can be placed on the front panel of the pouch, with a portion of the graphic placed on the self-fitting fastener 150 when the fastener is in a closed configuration. Has been done.

Connected to the pouch 120 is the self-fitting fastener 150 of the present disclosure as described above in any of the embodiments. The self-fitting fastener 150 can be connected to the pouch 120 at any suitable position. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-10, the self-fitting fastener 150 is connected to the pouch 120 adjacent to the upper edge 126 of the pouch. In one or more embodiments, the self-fitting fastener 150 is located on the upper edge 126 of the pouch 120. Further, in one or more embodiments, the self-fitting fastener 150 can be placed adjacent to the central region 146 of the pouch 120. As used herein, the term "adjacent to the central region" means that the self-fitting fastener 150 is placed closer to the central region 146 of the pouch 120 than to the upper edge 126 or lower edge 128 of the pouch. It means that it has been done.

Further, the self-fitting fastener 150 of the present disclosure can be arranged at an arbitrary suitable position with respect to the opening 124 of the pouch 120, so that when the upper seal region 140 is in an open configuration after being broken. It is adapted to allow access to the pouch's internal volume 122 through the opening and to prevent access to the pouch's internal volume through the opening when in a closed configuration.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the self-fitting fastener 150 is arranged adjacent to the opening 124. As used herein, the term "adjacent to an opening" allows the self-fitting fastener 150 to allow access to a consumer good located within the pouch 120, preventing access to the consumer good. It means that the opening is arranged so that it can be manipulated so that it is sufficiently closed. In one or more embodiments, the self-fitting fastener 150 can be placed within the opening 124. In one or more embodiments, the self-fitting fastener 150 can be arranged outside the opening 124 along the edge of the opening, thus opening and closing as described further in this document. The fastener can be operated to open and close the opening with the configuration.

The self-fitting fastener 150 has any suitable size and can take any suitable shape or combination of shapes. In one or more embodiments, the self-fitting fastener 150 is connected to the pouch 120 adjacent to the upper edge 126 of the pouch, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and is connected to the first and second sides of the pouch. It can extend between the edges 134 and 136. The self-fitting fastener 150 can extend to one or both of the first and second side edges 134 and 136 of the pouch. In one or more embodiments, the self-fitting fastener 150 is such that one or both of the first side edge portion 156 and the second side edge portion 158 of the fastener are the corresponding first and second sides of the pouch 120. It can be fitted so as to be separated from the side edges 134, 136 by any suitable distance. In such an embodiment, the pouch 120 is one or one of the first and second side edges 156 and 158 of the self-fitting fastener 150 and the first and second side edges 134 and 136 of the pouch 120. Includes one or more sealing areas disposed between both, the fastener can seal the pouch along the width of the pouch along the sealing area.

As shown in FIG. 8, which is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the pouch 120 of FIGS. 5 to 7, the self-fitting fastener 150 includes a first fastening member 152 and a second fastening member 154. The first fastening member 152 may be the same as the second fastening member 154, or may be different from the second fastening member. Further, the first and second fastening members 152 and 154 can be connected to the pouch 120 at any suitable position. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the first fastening member 152 is arranged on the inner surface 131 of the front panel 130, and the second fastening member 154 is arranged on the inner surface 133 of the rear panel 132. In one or more embodiments, the first fastening member 152 can be located on the inner surface 131 of the front panel 130 adjacent to the upper edge 126 of the pouch 120, and the second fastening member 154 is above the pouch. It can be arranged on the inner surface 133 of the rear panel 132 adjacent to the edge.

In one or more embodiments, the first fastening member 152 is attached to the front and rear panels 130, 132 so that at least a portion of the first fastening member can be fitted to the second fastening member. It can overlap with the second fastening member 154 in the orthogonal direction. In one or more embodiments, the first fastening member 152 is aligned with the second fastening member 154 in a direction orthogonal to the front and rear panels 130, 132, for example as shown in FIG.

The self-fitting fastener 150 can be connected to the pouch 120 using any suitable technique. In one or more embodiments, the fastener 150 is adhered to the pouch 120 using any suitable adhesive or combination of adhesives, including any of the hot melt adhesives described herein. Will be done. Further, in one or more embodiments, the self-fitting fastener 150 can be ultrasonically coupled to the pouch 120. In one or more embodiments, the fastener 150 can be mechanically attached to the pouch 120 using any suitable technique. In one or more embodiments, the coupling layer described herein in any of the embodiments is one of the first and second fastening members 152, 154 and the front and rear panels 130, 132. Alternatively, it may be placed between both.

When a bond layer or hot melt adhesive is used to connect the self-fitting fastener 150 of the present disclosure to the pouch 120, heating the adhesive or bond layer is described in US Pat. No. 9,096,960 (US Pat. No. 9,096,960). It can be carried out using a hot collision fluid as described in Biegler et al., No. 9,126,224 (Biegler et al.), And No. 8,965,496 (Biegler et al.). .. In some embodiments, the hot fluid is a hot gas (eg, air, dehumidified air, nitrogen, an inert gas, a mixture of any of these, or another gas mixture). In some embodiments, the hot fluid is hot air. The hot fluid can only be directed to the bond layer or hot melt adhesive. Alternatively, the hot fluid can be directed to both the bond layer or hot melt adhesive and the film useful for pouch formation. In some embodiments, the hot air is directed at the bond layer or hot melt adhesive only before it is bonded to the pouch. In some embodiments, connecting the self-fitting fastener 150 to the pouch 120 causes a hot fluid containing any of the above to move the web to a second surface of the web of the self-fitting fastener. The second surface is the surface opposite to the first surface having the rail segments and posts, including the collision while. In some of these embodiments, the second surface of the web comprises a binding layer. In some embodiments, the second surface of the web comprises a hot melt adhesive. If desired, connecting the self-fitting fastener 150 to the pouch 120 continuously or simultaneously will bring a hot fluid, including any of the above, to the surface of the web of film useful for forming the pouch. Includes collision while moving. Connecting the self-fitting fastener 150 to the film can be performed by contacting the second surface of the web of the self-fitting fastener with the web of the film useful for forming the pouch. A heated bar can also be useful for connecting the self-fitting fastener to the pouch. The self-fitting fastener, bond layer, and / or hot melt adhesive can be contacted with the heating bar once or multiple times to ensure good adhesion to the packaging film. Typically, the heating bar is brought into contact with the non-adhesive-containing side of the packaging film.

As described herein, the self-fitting fastener 150 has an open and closed configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the self-fitting fastener 150 is in a closed configuration to prevent the user from accessing the internal volume 122 of the pouch 120 through the opening 124 of the pouch. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper seal region 140 is intact and has not yet been broken upon initial opening of the pouch 120. As a result, the consumer goods arranged in the internal volume portion 122 of the pouch 120 can be stored by the seal area 140.

In general, the self-fitting fastener 150 may be connected to the pouch 120 so that the fastener is closed during the manufacture of the bag. In one or more embodiments, the self-fitting fastener 150 may be connected to the pouch 120 in an open configuration during manufacturing. For example, FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the pouch 120 of FIGS. 5-7. As shown in FIG. 9, the self-fitting fastener 150 is in an open configuration. As used herein, the term "open configuration" means that one or more portions of the self-fitting fastener 150 reach into the pouch 120 through the opening 124 and the self-fitting fastener 150. It means that a part of the consumer goods arranged in the internal volume 122 of the pouch is separated so as to be able to be grasped.

As also shown in FIG. 9, the upper seal region 140 remains intact and has not yet been broken upon initial opening of the pouch 120. In an embodiment in which the self-fitting fastener 150 is connected to the pouch 120 so that it takes an open configuration prior to the initial opening of the pouch 120, the user grips a portion of the front and rear panels 130, 132. However, the panels can be operated in the direction of pulling them apart from each other. During this user operation, the upper seal region 140 is intact, while a portion of the self-fitting fastener 50 can be separated to form an open configuration as shown in FIG. In one or more embodiments, instead, the user's operation on the first opening of the pouch 120 first places the upper seal area 140 prior to the operation from the closed configuration to the open configuration of the self-fitting fastener 150. The seal region may be broken at least partially.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pouch 120 of FIGS. 5 to 7 in which the upper seal region 140 is broken at the first opening of the pouch and the self-fitting fastener 150 has an open configuration. As shown in FIG. 10, the user can access the internal volume 122 of the pouch 120 through the opening 124 and the self-fitting fastener 150. The user may then operate the self-fitting closure 150 from an open configuration to a closed configuration so that the user can no longer access the internal volume 122 of the pouch 120.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the opening 124 of the pouch 120 of FIGS. 5-7, in which the self-fitting fastener 150 is in a closed configuration. The self-fitting fastener 150 includes a first fastening member 152 and a second fastening member 154. In the illustrated embodiment, the first fastening member 152 and the second fastening member 154 are part of a strip of the same material and are folded over themselves. For example, referring to FIG. 1A, the self-fitting fastener 150 is folded along an axis parallel to the width (W) of the fastener, so that the row 106 of the posts is visible in the cross-sectional view. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the first fastening member 152 is arranged on the inner surface 131 of the front panel 130, and the second fastening member 154 is arranged on the inner surface 133 of the rear panel 132 of the pouch. The first fastening member 152 is attached to the inner surface 131 of the front panel 130, and the second fastening member 154 is attached to the inner surface 133 of the rear panel 132 using the coupling layer 103. Advantageously, the thickness of the self-fitting fastener 150 in this folding configuration can be up to 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 450, or 400 micrometers. With the above thickness, the self-fitting fastener 150 can be connected to the pouch 120 in this folding configuration during the manufacture of the bag.

The user may use any suitable technique to operate the self-fitting fastener 150 in a closed configuration. For example, the user places one hand on the front panel 130, the other hand on the rear panel 132, and presses the first fastening member 152 against the second fastening member 154 to cause a self-fitting fastener. The 150 can be pressed together. Further, for example, the user places the package 100 on a flat surface, brings any of the first and second panels 130, 132 into contact with the surface, and then attaches the first and second fastening members 152, 154. Can be pressed together.

When in the closed configuration shown in FIG. 8, the self-fitting fastener 150 prevents consumer goods located within the internal volume 122 of the pouch 120 from falling or leaking out of the pouch through the opening 124. Can be done. Further, in one or more embodiments, the self-fitting fastener 150 may seal the pouch 120 in a closed configuration so that the consumer goods disposed within the internal volume 122 remain fresh.

Any suitable technique can be used to determine if the self-fitting fastener 150 is in a closed configuration. For example, in one or more embodiments, the self-fitting fastener 150 determines the force to release the self-fitting fastener from the average maximum load in the T-type peeling test method described in the examples. When it is at least about 0.1 Newton and 1.0 Newton or less, it is considered to be in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the force to release the self-fitting fastener is 0.2N to 0.9N or 0.3N as determined from the average maximum load in the T-type peeling test method described in the Examples. It is in the range of ~ 0.8N.

Further, in one or more embodiments, as described above, the force required to achieve the closed configuration from the open configuration is determined using the open force test method described in the examples. It is less than 3.0 Newton (N) but at least 0.3N. In one or more embodiments, the force required to achieve the closed configuration from the open configuration is 0.3 N / mm or less, but at least 0.03 N /, when determined using the open force test method. It is mm. In some embodiments, the force required to achieve the closed configuration from the open configuration is 0.45N to 2.7N or 0.6N to as determined using the closing force test method. It is in the range of 2.4N. In some embodiments, the transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration is easily achieved by acupressure.

The material used for the self-fitting fastener 150 and the pouch 120 has any desired stiffness for bending resistance centered on the pouch shaft 102 perpendicular to the length 104 of the self-fitting fastener, as shown in FIG. Can be selected to provide. Any suitable technique can be used to determine the stiffness of the bending resistance of the pouch 120 and the self-fitting fastener 150. The self-fitting fastener 150 can have a flexural rigidity of at least about 100 mN / mm and a maximum of about 1500 mN / mm when determined using the flexural rigidity test method described in the examples. In some embodiments, the flexural rigidity of the fasteners ranges from 100 mN / mm to 1500 mN / mm, 200 mN / mm to 1200 mN / mm, or 300 mN / mm to 1000 mN / mm as measured by the flexural rigidity test method. Is. Having flexural rigidity within these ranges typically and advantageously does not unintentionally open the fasteners during flexion.

Various embodiments of the recloseable packaging described herein can include any suitable configuration of the pouch. For example, FIGS. 12 and 13 are various views of another embodiment of the recloseable packaging 200. All design considerations and possibilities with respect to the packaging 100 of FIGS. 5-11 apply equally to the packaging 200 of FIGS. 12 and 13. The recloseable packaging 200 includes a pouch 220 that defines an internal volume 222 and an opening 224 that provides access to the internal volume. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 12-13, the opening is located adjacent to the upper edge 226 of the pouch 220. The pouch 220 further includes an upper seal region 240 located adjacent to the opening 224, which seal region is adapted to break and allow the initial opening of the pouch.

The pouch 220 further includes a front panel 230 and a rear panel 232. The pouch 220 can be formed utilizing a single film that can be sealed along the first side seal area 234 and the second side seal area 236. In one or more embodiments, the pouch 220 further comprises an upper seal region 240. Further, the opening 241 can be arranged adjacent to the upper seal region 240 so that the pouch 220 can be suspended from the display rack.

The packaging 200 further includes a self-fitting fastener 250 according to the present disclosure connected to a pouch 220. The self-fitting fastener 250 can be connected to the pouch 220 at any suitable position. In one or more embodiments, the self-fitting fastener 250 is located adjacent to the opening 224 of the pouch 220.

The pouch 220 may include a bottom gusset 270 located adjacent to the lower edge of the pouch 228. The bottom gusset 270 can be folded inward from the lower edge of the pouch 228. The bottom gusset 270 can be formed using any suitable technique or technique.

14-15 are various views of another embodiment of the recloseable packaging 300. All design considerations and possibilities for the recloseable packaging 100 of FIGS. 5-11 apply equally to the packaging 300 of FIGS. 14-15. The recloseable packaging 300 includes a pouch 320 having a front panel 330 and a rear panel 332 that can be joined together in the first side seal area 334 and the second side seal area 336. The front and rear panels 330, 332 can also be joined together in the upper seal region 340 adjacent to the upper edge 326 of the pouch. The opening 341 can be arranged adjacent to the upper edge 326 so that the packaging 300 can be hung on the display rack. The recloseable packaging 300 further includes the self-fitting fastener 350 of the present disclosure.

The front panel 330 includes a perforated opening 324 adapted to allow the user to separate the perforations and access the consumer goods located within the internal volume 322 of the pouch 320. In one or more embodiments, the pouch 320 further comprises a tear strip (not shown) placed on the self-fitting fastener 350, which strip is removed by the user to access the internal volume 322 of the pouch. It is adapted to be able to.

The self-fitting fastener 350 can be arranged adjacent to the opening 324 of the outer surface 331 of the front panel 330. In one or more embodiments, a portion of the self-fitting fastener 350 can extend over the opening. For example, the first fastening member 352 of the self-fitting fastener 350 covers the opening 324, while the second fastening member 354 of the fastener is vertically aligned with the pouch 320 (ie, the first and first). When the pouch axis extending parallel to the second side seal area 334, 336 is substantially parallel to the ground surface), it is placed above the opening on a portion of the outer surface 331 of the front panel 330. A first portion that is provided and a second portion that is located below the opening can be included. Allowing the user to grip the first fastening member 352 and pull the first fastening member away from the second fastening member 354 to operate the self-fitting fastener from the closed configuration to the open configuration. , The recess 302 can be formed in the self-fitting fastener 350.

Various embodiments of the recloseable packaging described herein can be manufactured using any suitable technique. For example, FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the device 400 and method for forming the recloseable packaging 100 of FIGS. 5-11. Although described with reference to the recloseable packaging 100 of FIGS. 5-11, the apparatus 400 can be used to form any suitable reclosing packaging. The film 402 is provided in either roll or sheet form and transported to station 410, where the closure material 408 is connected to the film using any suitable technique. The film can include an upper edge 404 and a lower edge 406. The closing member 408 can be placed at any suitable position on the film 402, for example, adjacent to the upper edge 404.

The closing material 408 can include any suitable closing material. In one or more embodiments, the closing member 408 includes a first fastening member 152 fitted to a second fastening member 154. In one or more embodiments, the closing member 408 may include either the first fastening member 152 or the second fastening member 154. In one or more embodiments, the same closing material can be used to form both the first fastening member 152 and the second fastening member 154. In such an embodiment, the first fastening member 152 is arranged in the first region of the film 402, the second fastening member 154 is arranged in the second region of the film, and the pouch 120 is formed from the film. Occasionally, the first and second fastening members 152 and 154 can be aligned.

At station 411, the film 402 can be slit or cut to form several individual sheets, the individual sheets being used to form the individual pouches 120. Further, the lower seal region 142 can be formed on the lower edge 128 of the pouch 120 at the station 411 before the consumer goods 416 are placed within the internal volume 122 of the pouch at the station 412. After filling the pouch 120, an upper sealing region 140 can be formed on the upper edge 126 of the pouch at station 418 so that the consumer goods 416 are sealed within the packaging 100. Any suitable technique can be utilized to form the upper and lower seal areas 140, 142.

Recloseable packages with fasteners have been reported, but the fasteners are rigid and bulky, which can make it difficult to manufacture these packages and fill them with consumer goods. In addition, fasteners that utilize hooks and loops may collect particles that contaminate the fixture from stored consumer goods or the environment outside the packaging. Such contamination can prevent the complete closure of the fasteners, thereby causing some of the consumer goods to flow out of the package, or prevent the package from keeping the consumer goods fresh. Sometimes.

In addition to the above-mentioned advantages of the fasteners of the present disclosure, various embodiments of the fasteners of the present disclosure provide one or more advantages over the other fasteners currently available for recloseable packaging. can do. For example, one or more embodiments of fasteners can reduce the thickness of fasteners currently available, thus connecting the fasteners to the packaging film used to minimize roll loss. It is possible to form a package without impairing the stability of the roll while suppressing the pressure. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the thickness of the fastening system according to the present disclosure in which the first and second fastening members are engaged with each other is up to 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 450. Or 400 micrometers. Also, as mentioned above, in some embodiments, the fastener comprises a bond layer or hot melt adhesive that can be thermally activated at relatively low temperatures (eg, 90-125 ° C.). In some embodiments, at least one of the thickness of the fastening system or the cold activation of the binding layer can provide an aesthetic advantage when the fastener is attached to the packaging. For example, any graphic on the packaging will give little or no strain to the location of the fasteners. Further, the fasteners of the present disclosure are consumed placed in the pouch by making them more flexible than currently available fasteners so that the fasteners are not unintentionally opened when the fasteners are bent. Goods can be prevented from leaking out of the pouch. Further, one or more embodiments of the fasteners of the present disclosure can be made more stain resistant by preventing food debris such as fine particles and salts from contaminating the fasteners.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure In the first embodiment, the present disclosure
With a backing material that has length, width, and thickness,
With alternating rows of rail segments and posts that project vertically from the backing,
Provide fasteners with
Each of the rail segments has a base portion attached to the backing material and a cap portion distal to the backing material, the cap portion has a cap width larger than the width of the base portion, and the cap portions face each other. Overhanging the base of the side, the number of posts in one row of posts is greater than the number of rail segments in one row of rows of rail segments, and each of the posts is less than or equal to the height of the rail segment. And has a length different from the length of the rail segment.

In a second embodiment, the present disclosure provides fasteners of a first embodiment in which the length of the base portion is greater than the width of the base portion.

In a third embodiment, the present disclosure
With a backing material that has length, width, and thickness,
With alternating rows of rail segments and posts that project vertically from the backing,
Provide fasteners with
Each of the rail segments has a base portion attached to the backing material and a cap portion distal to the backing material, the cap portion has a cap width larger than the width of the base portion, and the cap portions face each other. Overhanging the base at the side of the base, the base has a length greater than the width of the base, and each post has a height that is less than or equal to the height of the rail segment and a length that is different from the length of the rail segment. Has a rail.

In a fourth embodiment, the present disclosure provides fasteners of a third embodiment in which the number of posts in one row of posts is greater than the number of rail segments in one row of rail segments. To do.

In a fifth embodiment, the present disclosure provides fasteners of any one of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the ratio of the length of the base to the width of the base is at least 1.5: 1. To do.

In a sixth embodiment, the present disclosure provides fasteners of any one of the first to fifth embodiments, wherein the ratio of the length of the base to the width of the base is at least 5: 1.

In a seventh embodiment, the present disclosure provides fasteners of any one of the first to sixth embodiments, wherein the ratio of the length of the base to the width of the base is at least 10: 1.

In an eighth embodiment, the present disclosure provides fasteners of any one of the first to seventh embodiments, wherein the backing material thickness combined with the height of the rail segment is up to 3300 micrometers.

In a ninth embodiment, the present disclosure provides fasteners of any one of the first to eighth embodiments, wherein the length of the base portion of the rail segment is longer than the length of the post.

In a tenth embodiment, the present disclosure provides fasteners of any one of the first to ninth embodiments, wherein the length of the base portion of the rail segment is at least twice the length of the post.

In the eleventh embodiment, the present disclosure provides the fasteners of the tenth embodiment in which the length of the base portion of the rail segment is at least three times the length of the post.

In a twelfth embodiment, the present disclosure discloses that the number of posts in one row of posts is at least 1.5 times the number of rail segments in one row of rail segments. Any one of the fasteners according to the embodiment is provided.

In a thirteenth embodiment, the present disclosure comprises first to twelfth embodiments in which the number of posts in one row of posts is at least twice the number of rail segments in one row of rail segments. A fastener in any one of the forms is provided.

In a fourteenth embodiment, the present disclosure is of a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 1.5: 1 or a height-to-length aspect ratio of at least 1.5: 1 for each post. A fastener according to any one of the first to thirteenth embodiments having at least one is provided.

In a fifteenth embodiment, each of the posts has a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 2: 1 or a height-to-length aspect ratio of at least 2: 1. , The fasteners of the fourteenth embodiment are provided.

In a sixteenth embodiment, the present disclosure provides a fastener according to any one of the first to fifteenth embodiments, wherein the post has a flexural rigidity smaller than that of the rail segment.

In a seventeenth embodiment, the present disclosure provides fasteners of any one of the first to sixth embodiments, wherein the height of the post is up to 95 percent of the height of the rail segment.

In an eighteenth embodiment, the present disclosure comprises a post having a base portion attached to a backing material and a distal end, the cross-sectional area of the distal end being less than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the base portion. A fastener according to any one of the seventeenth embodiments is provided.

In a nineteenth embodiment, the present disclosure provides a fastener according to any one of the first to eighteenth embodiments, in which the cap portion projects over the base portions of all the side portions.

In a twentieth embodiment, the present disclosure provides a fastener according to any one of the first to ninth embodiments, wherein the cap portion projects to the base portion by an amount of at least 25 micrometers on the opposite side portion. To do.

In a twenty-first embodiment, the present disclosure provides the fasteners of any one of the first to twentieth embodiments, with one of the posts and one of the bases of the rail segments in the adjacent row. The shortest distance between them is within 20 percent of the cap width.

In a twenty-second embodiment, the present disclosure is any one of the first to twenty-first embodiments, wherein the fastener has at least three rows of rail segments alternating with at least three rows of posts. Provide fasteners.

In a twenty-third embodiment, the present disclosure is any one of the first to twenty-second embodiments, wherein the fastener has at least five rows of rail segments alternating with at least five rows of posts. Provide fasteners.

In the 24th embodiment, the present disclosure provides a fastener according to any one of the 1st to 23rd embodiments, in which the backing material does not include a through hole.

In a twenty-fifth embodiment, the present disclosure further comprises a coupling layer on the main surface of the backing material opposite the rows of rail segments and rows of posts, any one of the fasteners of the first to twenty-fourth embodiments. I will provide a.

In the 26th embodiment, the present disclosure provides the fasteners of the 25th embodiment in which the bonding layer comprises a polyolefin elastomer.

In a 27th embodiment, the present disclosure provides a fastener in any one of the first to 26th embodiments attached to a part of the packaging.

In a twenty-eighth embodiment, the present disclosure provides a fastening system that includes first and second fastening members, wherein at least one of the first or second fastening members is the first to 27th embodiment. Includes fasteners in any one of the forms.

In a 29th embodiment, the present disclosure comprises a fastening system according to a 28th embodiment, wherein each of the first and second fastening members includes a fastener according to any one of the first to 27th embodiments. provide.

In a thirtieth embodiment, in the present disclosure, the first fastening member comprises any one of the fasteners of the first to 27th embodiments, and the second fastening member has a length, width, and thickness. Each of the rail segments has a base portion attached to the backing material and a cap portion distal to the backing material, and each of the rail segments has a cap portion distal to the backing material. Provides the fastening system of the 27th or 28th embodiment, which has a cap width larger than the width of the base portion, the cap portion overhanging the base portion on the opposite side surface.

In a thirteenth embodiment, the present disclosure provides the fastening system of the thirtieth embodiment, wherein the base portion has a length longer than the width of the base portion.

In a thirty-second embodiment, the disclosure discloses that when the first and second fastening members are fastened, the fastening members can slide relative to each other in a direction parallel to the length of the backing material. A fastening system according to any one of the 28th to 31st embodiments is provided.

The following examples are provided so that the present disclosure can be better understood. It should be understood that these examples are for illustration purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure in any way.

T-type peeling test The force to open the valve of the self-fitting fastener can be determined by using ASTMD1876 (notation D1876-08 (2015) e1). In general, a standard T-type peeling test defined by ASTMD1876 is performed at a stretching rate of 12 inches / minute (30.5 cm / min) on representative samples in both the mechanical and cross-web directions, with closures. Can be used to determine whether is in an open configuration or a closed configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the cross-web direction is parallel to the vertical seam 138 of the bag 100 and the mechanical direction is orthogonal to the vertical seam 138.

The T-shaped peel was measured using a strip having a length of 14 inches (35.6 cm) in the mechanical direction and a width described below. Each strip was folded in half and self-fitted to obtain a specimen. Specimens were rolled using a calibrated 11.5 lb (5.22 kg) stainless steel roller. The rollers were completely reciprocated once on each side of the specimen. The ends of the sample were peeled off and 1 inch (2.54 cm) was separated at each end. The separation was bent perpendicular to the sample plane to stay within the grip of the Instron machine. Specimens were stripped over a distance of 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) at a crosshead speed of 12 inches / minute (30.5 cm / minute). Three replicas were used per specimen.

Closing Force Test Method The force required to close the fastener was measured by pulling the open strip of the closure device at a rate of 12 inches / minute (30.5 cm / min). Both sides of the gap were constructed from radial pieces of PTFE to minimize friction while maintaining the gap. Multi-directional load cells are used to measure vertical and tangential forces with respect to the closure device. The average kinetic detachment force is obtained by averaging the force of 1 inch (2.54 cm) after the start of closure and the force of 1 inch (2.54 cm) before the end of closure. This measurement is repeated a total of 3 times and then averaged.

Using the closure force test method, the tactile response to the fastener can be obtained by calculating the average amplitude between the first 50 peaks and the first 50 valleys of the motor detachment curve. it can.

Flexural Rigidity Test Method The flexural rigidity of a sample is measured using ASTMD790 (2003). Use a general-purpose testing machine equipped with a 3-point bending jig. The specimen was closed, flattened and placed on a 3-point bending jig. The gap between the two bottom points is set to 12 mm, and the force that displaces the sample by the set distance is measured. The upper compression point diameter was 4 mm, and the support diameter was 5 mm. The upper compression point was advanced at a linear velocity of 12 inches / minute (30.5 cm / minute). Flexural rigidity is derived from the first principal gradient of the force vs. displacement curve before the fastening elements slide and begin to slide across each other resulting in a second principal gradient.

Example 1
Using a twin-screw 40 mm extruder, Dow Chemical USA, Inc. Food grade MDPE (medium density polyethylene) obtained from the product under the trade name "Doulex 2027G" was extruded. 70% by weight "VISTAMAX X3980FL" high performance polymer using a 1.5 inch (3.8 cm) single screw extruder and 30 weight obtained from Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Michigan) under the trade name "DOWN LDPE722" A combination of% low density polyethylene was extruded. Both supply streams are supplied by Cloeren Inc. Introduced into a die manifold on a flat sheet die manufactured by (Orange, Texas). The molten polymer was extruded from a flat sheet die, nominally 220 ° C. as a sheet, into a rolled cast extruded take-up nip with rubber rolls and tool rolls, with a layer containing 100% by weight food grade MDPE 70 weight relative to the tool roll. A layer containing% "VISTAMAX X3980FL" high performance polymer) was pressed against the rubber roll. The rubber roll pushed the molten polymer into a tool roll having a nominal surface temperature of 50 ° C to 75 ° C. The molten polymer solidified on the roll and the structured film was removed after 180 degree wrap from the nip point of the rubber roll, as described by US Pat. No. 6,106,922 (Cejka). The tool roll has a combination of cavities for providing rail segments and cavities for providing posts, which have different heights, and the cavities that provide rail segments are deeper than the cavities that provide posts. There is.

The rail segments were capped by the method described in US Pat. No. 5,868,987 (Kampfer) to produce caps with peaks and valleys. The web was slit into strips 13 mm wide. When manually tested by folding the strip over itself, the fasteners were easy to close and had sufficient resistance to peeling. The dimensions of the fasteners are shown in Table 1 below.

Example 2
The web made in Example 1 was further subjected to the method described in US Pat. No. 6,132,660 (Camphor) to deform the cap and rotate a portion of the cap downward toward the backing material. .. The resulting self-fitting fastener had the appearance shown in FIG. 17 with the dimensions listed in Table 1 below. The image shown in FIG. 17 was obtained from Analytical Scanning Electron Microscope, Model # JSM-6010LA. A portion of the web was slit on a strip 13 mm wide and a portion of the web was slit on a strip 9 mm wide. As shown in FIG. 2C, a 13 mm strip of self-fitting fasteners had a thickness of less than 30 mils (762 micrometers) when folded over itself. When tested manually, the fasteners were easy to close and had sufficient peel resistance to hold the contents in the bag without leakage.

The layers on the smooth surface are heated using hot collision air at 200 ° C., as described in US Pat. Nos. 9,126,224 (Polyolefin) and 8,965,496 (Polyolefin). It was activated and bonded to a 5-layer printed polyolefin packaging film without affecting print quality and with minimal distortion of the visible film. Hot collision air was directed to both the layer on the smooth surface of the fastener and one side of the polyolefin wrapping film. Cohesive failure of the layers of the packaging film was observed when the fasteners were removed manually, suggesting that the bond strength between the fasteners and the packaging film was appropriate.

Fifteen 13 mm strips were sampled from different zones of the web. These samples were evaluated according to the T-type peeling test method described above. The T-type peeling test was performed in the mechanical orientation (MD) of the specimen. For 15 13 mm samples, the average maximum load was 0.424N, the standard deviation was 0.055N, the median average load was 0.302N, and the standard deviation was 0.052N.

Example 3.
Example 3 was prepared as described in Example 1, but as a change, 100% food grade medium density polyethylene obtained from Dow Chemical Company under the trade name “DOWLEX2027G MDPE” was obtained from Total under the trade name 3571 and 10% "VISTAMAXX3980FL" was replaced with 90% polypropylene obtained as a high performance polymer. Cap rolls with smooth surfaces were used to make smooth caps instead of caps with peaks and valleys. The cap had the appearance as shown in FIG. 1A. The self-fitting fastening was also joined to the print-oriented packaging film as described in Example 2, and the print-oriented packaging film was not damaged or wrinkled. The bond strength between the fastener and the wrapping film was considered appropriate when removing the bonded fastener from the wrapping film, and cohesive failure of the wrapping film layer was observed.

Example 4
Prior to joining to the packaging film, the web prepared in Example 3 was further subjected to the method described in US Pat. No. 6,132,660 (Kampfer) to deform the cap and partially lining the cap. It was rotated downward toward. The resulting self-fitting fastener had the appearance shown in FIGS. 2A-2C with the dimensions listed in Table 1 below. A portion of the web was slit onto a strip 13 mm wide and a portion of the web was slit onto a strip 9 mm wide. As shown in FIG. 2C, a 13 mm strip of self-fitting fasteners had a thickness of less than 30 mils (762 micrometers) when folded over itself.

Six 13 mm strips were sampled transversely from three different zones of the web, one towards each edge of the web and one towards the center of the web. Two strips were sampled from each zone. Similarly, 18 9 mm strips were sampled from 3 zones, 6 for each zone. Each of these specimens was evaluated using the closure force test method described above. The maximum and minimum kinetic detachment forces for closing at 12 inch / min from the specimen set were 2.37 N and 0.6 N, respectively, and the maximum and minimum average kinetic peak amplitudes were 0.84 N and 0.39 N, respectively. When the data were normalized to two different widths, the maximum and minimum kinematic peeling forces closing at 12 inches / min from the sample set were 2.1N and 0.69N, respectively, with maximum and minimum average kinematic peak amplitudes. Were 0.93N and 0.006N, respectively.

Six 13 mm strips and 18 9 mm strips were sampled from three different zones of the web as described above. Each of these specimens was evaluated using the flexural rigidity test method described above. For these samples, the flexural rigidity ranged from 221.7 mN / mm to 1149.3 mN / mm, the average was 601.0 mN / mm, and the standard deviation was 221.7 mN / mm. The reported flexural rigidity was the slope of the first section of the force vs. displacement curve from the three-point bend before the rail segments began to slide relative to each other. No specimen was observed to open between the three-point bends.

Fifteen 13 mm strips were sampled from different zones of the web. These samples were evaluated according to the T-type peeling test method described above. The T-type peeling test was performed in the mechanical orientation (MD) of the specimen. For 15 13 mm samples, the average maximum load was 0.511 N, the standard deviation was 0.072 N, the median average load was 0.339 N, and the standard deviation was 0.056 N.

Sixteen 9 mm strips were sampled from different zones of the web. These specimens were evaluated according to the T-type peeling test method described above. The T-type peeling test was performed in the mechanical orientation (MD) of the specimen. For 18 9 mm samples, the average maximum load was 0.562 N, the standard deviation was 0.062 N, the median average load was 0.351 N, and the standard deviation was 0.049 N.

For the dimensions, refer to FIGS. 1B and 1C, Avg = average, Std = standard deviation, and the average is a value measured 5 times. Data were obtained using a Keyence Digital Microscope, Model VHX-600.

Example 5
A finite element model (FEM) was created to evaluate whether the design of the fastening member could have one or more fastening and releasing configurations without impairing the function of the fastener, and is characterized by system deformation. The effect on the generation of plastic strain was captured. The modeling work was simplified by using the commercial code Abakus2017 manufactured by Simulia. Standard analysis was used to capture the deformation results in steady state without considering the inertial effect. The two representative fastening member units were placed in a non-fastening configuration and then displaced towards each other until full engagement occurred. The definition of frictionless contact has been established at the physical interface between the two fastening member units. The definition of elastic plastic material used Young's modulus of 21,755 psi, Poresoson ratio of 0.33, plastic yield strain of 10.6%, yield stress of 2320 psi, final strain of 50%, and final stress of 2900 psi. The strain results at the nodes distributed throughout the deformable mesh were monitored for the transition to plastic strain (irreversible deformation). The results of logarithmic strain (true strain) of a finite element model of a typical rail and post construct are shown in FIG. 3A. Strain contours in the range from minimum strain (white) to maximum strain (black) are shown on the surface. FIG. 3A shows the configuration of a fastening system in maximum deformation with 11.19% strain. FIG. 3B shows the configuration of a fastening system in the final fastening state with a maximum residual strain of 0.69%.

Illustrative Example A
An FEM was created using the definition of Example 5. Capped Rails-As a capped rail system configuration, similar fastening features were used in this model. The fastening characteristic portion in the final fastening state is shown in FIG. The state of nominal strain in the final fastening configuration can result in a permanent plastic deformation of 20.15%, reducing the useful life of the fastener.

Various modifications and modifications of the present disclosure can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and purpose of the present disclosure, and the present invention is described in the exemplary embodiments described herein. Please understand that it is not overly limited. All patents and patent applications cited above are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims (15)

It ’s a fastener,
With a backing material that has length, width, and thickness,
A row of rail segments and a row of posts protruding vertically from the backing material,
The rows of the rail segments and the rows of the post parts are alternated.
Each of the rail segments has a base portion attached to the backing material and a cap portion distal to the backing material, and the cap portion has a cap width larger than the width of the base portion. The cap portion projects to the base portion on the opposite side portion, and the number of posts in one row of the rows of the posts is larger than the number of rail segments in one row of the rows of the rail segments. Fasteners, each having a height equal to or less than the height of the rail segment and a length different from the length of the rail segment. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the length of the base portion of the rail segment is larger than the length of the post. The fastener according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of posts in one row of the rows of posts is at least 1.5 times the number of rail segments in one row of the rows of rail segments. The fastener according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the length of the base portion of the rail segment is at least twice the length of the post. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thickness of the backing material combined with the height of the rail segment is a maximum of 3300 micrometers. Each of the posts has a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 1.5: 1 or at least one of a height-to-length aspect ratio of at least 1.5: 1. Fasteners according to any one of the above. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the post has a flexural rigidity lower than that of the rail segment. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the height of the post is up to 95% of the height of the rail segment. Any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the post has a base portion attached to the backing material and a distal end, and the cross-sectional area of the distal end is equal to or less than the cross-sectional area of the base portion. Fasteners described in section. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cap portion projects from the base portion on all side portions. Any of claims 1-10, wherein the shortest distance between one of the posts and one of the bases of the rail segment in an adjacent row is substantially the same as the cap width. Fasteners described in paragraph 1. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the fastener has at least three rows of rail segments alternating with at least three rows of posts. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a bonding layer on the main surface of the backing material on the opposite side of the row of rail segments and the row of posts. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which is attached to a part of the package. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the fastening system includes the first and second fastener members, and at least one of the first or second fastener members is Including fastening system.