Recloseable zipper closure, recloseable pouch, and methods
OwnerGregory Lee Petkovsek, Jeremy D. Gast +1inventors
InventorsGregory Lee Petkovsek, Jeremy D. Gast, Eric Francis Smits
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A zipper closure arrangement for use with a reclosable package includes: a first attachment flange and a second attachment flange; a first zipper profile member extending from the first attachment flange; a second zipper profile member extending from the second attachment flange and positioned to releasably mate with the first zipper profile member. The first and second attachment flanges each having an area of weakness and are sealed together along a seal region. The seal region is between the area of weakness and terminal ends of the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange. This results in a tear-off region that is straight and consistent.
Claims22
A plastic zipper closure arrangement for use with a reclosable package;
- the closure arrangement comprising:
- (a) a first attachment flange and a second attachment flange positioned opposing each other;
- (b) a first zipper profile member extending from the first attachment flange;
- (c) a second zipper profile member extending from the second attachment flange and positioned to releasably mate with the first zipper profile member;
- (i) the first and second zipper profile members being positioned between a package side and a consumer side of the first and second attachment flanges;
- (e) the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange each having an area of weakness on the consumer side;
- and
- (f) the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange being sealed together along a seal region on the consumer side;
- the seal region being between the area of weakness and terminal ends of the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange.
A recloseable pouch comprising:
- (a) first and second opposing polymeric panels, having first and second opposite side edges;
- a bottom;
- and an openable and closeable mouth opposite of the bottom;
- the polymeric panels defining an interior volume therebetween;
- the mouth providing access into the interior volume when in an open condition;
- (b) the pouch having a closure arrangement along the mouth;
- the closure arrangement including:
- (i) a first attachment flange and a second attachment flange positioned opposing each other;
- (A) the first attachment flange being non-removably secured to the first polymeric panel;
- (B) the second attachment flange being non-removably secured to the second polymeric panel;
- (ii) a first zipper profile member extending from the first attachment flange;
- (iii) a second zipper profile member extending from the second attachment flange and positioned to releasably mate with the first zipper profile member;
- (A) the first and second zipper profile members being positioned between a package side and a consumer side of the first and second attachment flanges;
- (iv) the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange each having an area of weakness on the consumer side;
- and
- (v) the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange being sealed together along a closure seal region on the consumer side;
- the closure seal region being between the area of weakness and terminal ends of the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange.
A method of opening the recloseable pouch;
- the recloseable pouch having a storage pouch section and a removable pouch section;
- the method comprising:
- (a) opening the pouch by tearing off the removable pouch section from the storage pouch section along an area of weakness;
- the removable pouch section including opposing polymeric panels;
- each panel having attached thereto:
- (i) an attachment flange with the area of weakness;
- (ii) a closure seal region sealing together the attachment flanges;
- and
- (iii) a header seal sealing together the polymeric panels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.