US 6,786,640 B2Granted

Tamper evident slider package

AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.

InventorsJohn H. Schneider, Charles Thorpe, Donald L. Crevier

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

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Abstract

The reclosable plastic bag is formed by opposing panels of web with four sides sealed. A zipper is sealed within the bag so that a first zipper profile is sealed to a first opposing panel and a second zipper profile is sealed to a second opposing panel. A slider engaging the zipper profiles in a closed position protrudes from an opening in at least one of the opposing panels and may be further secured in place by a label. The slider cannot be moved from the position wherein the zipper profiles are closed to the position wherein the zipper profiles are open prior to the user tearing a perforated or otherwise weakened line across the panels. When this tear is made, it is unmistakable and intuitive evidence that the bag may have been previously opened and depending upon the circumstances, possibly tampered.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A bag which is tamper-evident, comprising:

first and second opposing panels attached to each other along a pair of sides, a top bridging said pair of sides and a bottom bridging said pair of sides;
a zipper with first and second profiles fastened to respective internal surfaces of said first and second opposing panels;
wherein at least one of said opposing panels includes a weakened portion adjacent to said zipper, and a cut portion proximate to said weakened portion;
and
a slider attached to said zipper to move from a first position within said cut portion wherein said first and second profiles are attached to each other, and to a second position wherein at least a portion of said first and second profiles are detached from each other, said slider initially being in said first position and wherein prior movement of said slider toward said second position is evidenced by tearing of at least a portion of said weakened portion thereby forming a mouth for the bag, wherein said slider is further initially engaged in said first position by a label.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/947,875Filed 6 Sep 2001
Published: US 2003/0044093 A16 Mar 2003
Granted: 7 Sep 2004
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

B65D 33/2516
Using slide fasteners with interlocking members having a substantially uniform section throughout the length of the fastener; Sliders therefor:…
B65B 61/188
For making package-opening or unpacking elements: by applying or incorporating profile-strips, e.g. for reclosable bags
B65D
Containers for storage or transport of articles or materials
B65B
Machines, apparatus or devices for, or methods of, packaging articles or materials