Reclosable fastener strip with tamper evident feature

#The present invention relates generally to the packaging industry. More particularly, the invention relates to a reclosable package having a tamper evident feature.

#Reclosable packages are very common, especially in the food industry. Such packages are typically made to be reclosable via the use of a reclosable feature such as a resealable adhesive seal or a reclosable zipper. Such zippers can be opened and closed either by pressure or by the use of an auxiliary slider mechanism.

#Reclosable packages are a great convenience to the consumer especially for products such as luncheon meats and cheeses where, typically, only a portion of the product is used at any given time. A problem with these reclosable packages, however, is that the reclosable features do not provide a leak proof barrier. Thus, the contents of the package can leak out of the package and the external atmosphere can leak into the package, promoting food spoilage. Another problem with reclosable packages is that such packages can be easily tampered with prior to purchase by the consumer.

#Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a section view of a mouth portion of a reclosable package having a tamper proof feature formed by joined fin portions located below a reclosable zipper arrangement;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reclosable package incorporating the mouth portion depicted in FIG. 1 in which a reclosable zipper having a slider mechanism is opened and the tamper proof feature formed by joined fins is partially opened;

#Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a mouth portion of a reclosable package having a tamper evident feature 12 located below a reclosable closure arrangement 14. FIG. 2 shows the reclosable package 10 incorporating the mouth portion depicted in FIG. 1. The mouth portion of the reclosable package 10 includes a pair of opposing wall panels 16 and 18 of polymeric film which make up a package body 20 and define a receptacle space 22. Connected to the wall panel 16 is a first track 24 having a first profile 26 and a first fin portion 28 extending downward from the first profile 26. Connected to the other wall panel 18 is a second track 30 having a second profile 32 and a second fin portion 34 extending downward from the second profile 32. The first and second profiles 26 and 32 are releasably engageable with each other to provide a reclosable seal to the package. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower edges of the first and second fin portions 28 and 34 are joined to each other along a one-time breakable preferential area of weakness or preferential tear area 38 to form a one-time openable tamper evident feature. The joined first and second fin portions 28 and 34 have a generally U-shaped or V-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

#To join the first and second fin portions 28 and 34, the first and second fin portions 28 and 34 may be coextruded as a single continuous fin having the preferential area of weakness 38. In one embodiment, the preferential area of weakness 38 takes the form of a perforated line, score line, or thinned line. A score line is created by making a uniform crease at the intersection of the fin portions 28 and 34. A thinned line is created by coextruding the fin portions 28 and 34 with less plastic material along the region joining the lower edges of the fin portions 28 and 34. In another embodiment, the preferential area of weakness 38 results from forming the single continuous fin out of highly oriented plastic that has a tendency to split along the preferential area of weakness 38.

#Instead of coextruding the first and second fin portions 28 and 34 as a single continuous fin, the first and second fin portions 28 and 34 may be separately extruded and then later weakly attached at their lower edges or some other location by heat sealing, welding, or the like. The weak attachment of the first and second fin portions 28 and 34 creates the preferential area of weakness 38.