US 5,121,997 A · Perforated tear strip for easy-open flexible containers

Abstract

An easy-open container includes a membrane forming the top edge of the container and hermetically sealing the contents thereof. Elements for opening the container are disposed on the membrane, and includes a first bead of thermoplastic material and a first perforated line for tearing across the membrane. In one embodiment the membrane is disposed inward from the mouth of the bag, leaving portions of the bag walls extending upward beyond the container top edge to form guide rails which facilitate opening of the container. One guide rail is removed as the bag is opened and remaining portions of the bag walls are offset to enhance access to the bag contents. A membrane for sealing the mouth opening of a bag-like structure is also provided, as are methods for making an easy-open container and for making a membrane having the strcutures aforesaid.

Claims29

Dependent claims

An easy-open flexible container comprising:

a bag structure of thermoplastic material having an opening defined by two generally opposing bag walls;
and
a membrane having a first surface and a second surface, and said membrane further including:
interlocking first and second zipper elements disposed on said first surface of said membrane;
and
means for tearing said membrane disposed generally between said first and second zipper elements;
said means for tearing comprising a first bead of thermoplastic material defining a first tear line, and said means for tearing further comprising a first perforated line of tearing defining a second tear line;
wherein said first bead and said first perforated line are in spaced relationship on said membrane;
and
wherein said membrane is folded to form a container edge and seal said opening, said membrane attached along said second surface thereof to the inside of said bag walls.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Perforated tear strip for easy-open flexible containers

Life of this patent

Perforated tear strip for easy-open flexible containers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29