Bag having reclosable seal and associated methods

• US 20040175060A1
• Filed: 03/07/2003
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hood Packaging Corporation (Hood Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Exopack-Technology LLC (Coveris Management GmbH)
• Inventors: Woodham, L. Roseann, Solomon, George, Sullivan, Debra L., McLellan, Alfred A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,969,196 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 383/89
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/20 using pressure-sensitive adhesive

Abstract

A bag having a reclosable sealer and methods of forming and using the same are provided. The bag, for example, can include a tube body having a plurality of laminated layers. A reclosable sealer can be attached to a first wall of the tube body. When the bag is in an open bag position, a first portion of the reclosable sealer is separated from a second portion of the reclosable sealer. When the reclosable sealer is in the closed seal position, the first portion of the reclosable sealer contacts the second portion of the reclosable sealer forming a seal to thereby allow the bag to be readily opened and closed. Peripheral portions of the bag can remain unsealed after initial opening when the reclosable sealer is in the closed seal position to indicate that initial opening has occurred and that tampering with the bag may have occurred.

Claims

1. A bag comprising:

a tube body having an open end, a closed end positioned substantially opposite the open end, a first wall positioned between the open end and the closed end, and a second wall positioned to face opposite the first wall between the open and the closed end, the open end being substantially wide when in an open bag position to allow ready filling of the bag with contents and to allow ready access to the contents when positioned in the bag and being positioned to be closed so that end portions of the second wall abuttingly contact end portions of the first wall when in a closed bag position; and

a reclosable sealer having a first portion connected to the first wall of the tube body in a preselected region thereof and a second portion connected to and extending outwardly from the second wall of the tube body adjacent the open end so that when the first portion of the reclosable sealer is separated from the second portion the reclosable sealer is in an open seal position and when the first portion abuttingly contacts the second portion forming a seal the reclosable sealer is in a closed seal position.

2. A bag as defined in claim 1, further comprising a bonding material connected to the second wall of the tube body and to the second portion of the reclosable sealer to bond the second portion of the reclosable sealer to the second wall.

3. A bag as defined in claim 2, wherein the first portion of the reclosable sealer comprises:

a first adhesive layer positioned to adhere the first portion of the reclosable sealer to the first wall of the tube body;

a first film layer overlying and abuttingly contacting the first adhesive layer; and

a second adhesive layer overlying and contacting the first film layer and positioned to abuttingly contact the second portion of the reclosable sealer when in the closed seal position.

4. A bag as defined in claim 3, wherein the second portion of the reclosable sealer comprises:

a second film layer positioned to abuttingly contact the second adhesive layer of the first portion of the reclosable sealer when in the closed seal position; and

a paper layer overlying and abuttingly contacting the second film layer, the paper layer substantially contacting and adhering to the bonding material positioned on the outer surface of the second wall of the tube body thereby forming a bond between the second portion of the reclosable sealer and the tube body.

5. A bag as defined in claim 4, wherein the second portion of the reclosable sealer has regions thereof extending toward the closed end of the tube body when in the closed seal position devoid of contact with the second adhesive layer of the first portion of the reclosable sealer to allow easy grasping by a user, and wherein the second portion of the reclosable sealer further comprises a release agent positioned on the second film layer between the second film layer of the second portion of the reclosable sealer and the second adhesive layer of the first portion of the reclosable sealer to enhance ready release of the second film layer of the second portion of the reclosable sealer from the second adhesive layer of the first portion of the reclosable sealer when an upright bag is in a closed seal position by manual upward pressure on the second portion.

6. A bag as defined in claim 1, wherein the first wall comprises a front wall having a first end and a second end, wherein the second wall comprises a back wall having a first end and a second end, wherein the respective first ends of the front and back walls define the open end of the tube body, wherein the respective second ends of the front and back walls define the closed end of the tube body, and wherein each of the first ends of the front and back walls is substantially linear and substantially perpendicular to side peripheries of the respective first and second walls.

7. A bag as defined in claim 1, wherein the end portions of the first and second walls are folded when in the closed bag position, wherein the second portion of the reclosable sealer comprises at least one of the following:

a plastic material, a paper material, and a metal material, and wherein the reclosable sealer extends substantially the entire lateral extent of second wall of tube body adjacent the open end.

8. A bag as defined in claim 1, wherein peripheral portions of the bag further remain unsealed after initial opening of the reclosable sealer and when the reclosable sealer is in the closed seal position to thereby indicate that initial opening has occurred and indicate that tampering with the bag may have occurred.

9. A bag as defined in claim 1, further including perforations on peripheral portions of the second portion of the reclosable sealer and wherein the peripheral portions of the reclosable sealer further remain sealed and the perforation separates the peripheral portions of the second portion of the reclosable sealer from a remaining portion of the second portion of the reclosable sealer after initial opening of the reclosable sealer and when the reclosable sealer is in the open seal position to thereby indicate that initial opening has occurred and indicate that tampering with the bag may have occurred.

10. A bag as defined in claim 1, wherein the tube body includes a plurality of layers of laminated material comprising at least one of the following:

a polymeric material, a metal foil material, and a paper material.

11. A bag as defined in claim 3, wherein the second adhesive layer of the first portion comprises a continuous preselected pattern of adhesive material positioned in a preselected region of the outer surface of the first film layer of the first portion of the reclosable sealer.

12. A bag as defined in claim 11, wherein the continuous preselected pattern comprises a plurality of spaced apart lines of adhesive material positioned on the outer surface of the first film layer in the preselected region.

13. A bag as defined in claim 1, wherein the first portion of the reclosable sealer comprises a first bag flange member and the second portion of the reclosable sealer comprises a second bag flange member, the second portion of the reclosable sealer overlies and substantially contacts the first portion of the reclosable sealer when in the closed seal position.

14. A bag comprising:

a tube body having an open end, a closed end positioned substantially opposite the open end, a first wall positioned between the open end and the closed end, and a second wall positioned to face opposite the first wall between the open and the closed end; and

a reclosable sealer having a first portion connected to the first wall of the tube body in a preselected region thereof and a second portion connected to and extending outwardly from the second wall of the tube body adjacent the open end so that when the first portion of the reclosable sealer is separated from the second portion the reclosable sealer is in an open seal position and when the first portion of the reclosable sealer abuttingly contacts the second portion of the reclosable sealer forming a seal the reclosable sealer is in a closed seal position.

15. A bag as defined in claim 14, further comprising a bonding material connected to the second wall of the tube body and to the second portion of the reclosable sealer to bond the second portion of the reclosable sealer to the second wall.

16. A bag as defined in claim 15, wherein the first portion of the reclosable sealer comprises:

a first adhesive layer positioned to adhere the first portion of the reclosable sealer to the first wall of the tube body;

a first film layer overlying and abuttingly contacting the first adhesive layer; and

a second adhesive layer overlying and contacting the first film layer and positioned to abuttingly contact the second portion of the reclosable sealer when in the closed seal position.

17. A bag as defined in claim 15, wherein the second portion of the reclosable sealer comprises:

a second film layer positioned to abuttingly contact the second adhesive layer of the first portion of the reclosable sealer when in the closed seal position; and

a paper layer overlying and abuttingly contacting the second film layer, the paper layer substantially contacting and adhering to the bonding material positioned on the outer surface of the second wall of the tube body thereby forming a bond between the reclosable sealer and the tube body.

18. A bag as defined in claim 17, wherein the second portion of the reclosable sealer has regions thereof extending toward the closed end of the tube body when in the closed seal position devoid of contact with the second adhesive layer of the first portion of the reclosable sealer for easy grasping by a user, and wherein the second portion of the reclosable sealer further comprises a release agent positioned on the second film layer to enhance ready release of the second portion of the reclosable sealer from the second adhesive layer of the first portion of the reclosable sealer when an upright bag is in a closed seal position by manual upward pressure on the second portion.

19. A bag as defined in claim 17, wherein the first wall has a first end and a second end, wherein the second wall has a first end and a second end, wherein the respective first ends of the first and second walls define the open end of the tube body, wherein the respective second ends of the first and second walls define the closed end of the tube body, wherein each of the first ends of the first and second walls is substantially linear and substantially perpendicular to side peripheries of the respective first and second walls, and wherein the open end being substantially wide when in an open bag position to allow ready filling of the bag with contents and to allow ready access to the contents when positioned in the bag.

20. A bag as defined in claim 14, wherein the end portions of the first and second walls are folded when in the closed bag position, wherein the second portion of the reclosable sealer comprises a plastic material, and wherein the reclosable sealer extends substantially the entire lateral extent of second wall of tube body adjacent the open end.

21. A bag as defined in claim 14, wherein peripheral portions of the bag further remain unsealed after initial opening even when the reclosable sealer is in the closed seal position to thereby indicate that initial opening has occurred and indicate that tampering with the bag may have occurred.

22. A bag as defined in claim 14, further including perforations on peripheral portions of the second portion of the reclosable sealer and wherein the peripheral portions of the reclosable sealer further remain sealed and the perforation separates the peripheral portions of the second portion of the reclosable sealer from a remaining portion of the second portion of the reclosable sealer after initial opening of the reclosable sealer and when the reclosable sealer is in the open seal position to thereby indicate that initial opening has occurred and indicate that tampering with the bag may have occurred.

23. A bag as defined in claim 14, wherein the tube body includes a plurality of layers of laminated material comprising at least one of the following:

a polymeric material, a metal foil material, and a paper material.

24. A bag as defined in claim 16, wherein the second adhesive layer of the first portion comprises a continuous preselected pattern of adhesive material positioned in a preselected region of the outer surface of the first film layer of the first portion of the reclosable sealer.

25. A bag as defined in claim 24, wherein the continuous preselected pattern comprises a plurality of spaced apart lines of adhesive material positioned on the outer surface of the first film layer in the preselected region.

26. A bag as defined in claim 14, wherein the first portion of the reclosable sealer comprises a first bag flange member and the second portion of the reclosable sealer comprises a second bag flange member, the second portion of the reclosable sealer overlies and substantially contacts the first portion of the reclosable sealer when in the closed seal position.

27. A bag comprising:

a tube body having an open end, an end opposing the open end and adapted to be closed to operate as a bottom for the bag when the tube body is being filled with contents and defining a closed end, a first wall positioned between the open end and the closed end, and a second wall positioned to face opposite the first wall between the open and the closed end, the open end also being adapted to be selectively positioned between an open bag position and a closed bag position by a user;

a reclosable sealer connected to and extending outwardly from the first wall of the tube body adjacent the open end so that when the reclosable sealer is in an open seal position a first portion of the reclosable sealer is separated from a second portion of the reclosable sealer and a user has access to contents of the bag and when the reclosable sealer is in a closed seal position the first portion of the reclosable sealer contacts the second portion of the reclosable sealer and contents cannot be readily removed from the bag;

a bonding material positioned on an outer surface of the second portion of the reclosable sealer; and

a disposable layer positioned to overly, abuttingly contact, and protect the bonding material until the reclosable sealer is attached to the second wall of the tube body, the disposable layer being adapted to be removed from the bonding material and discarded.

28. A bag as defined in claim 27, wherein the open end is substantially wide when in an open bag position to allow ready filling of the bag with contents and to allow a hand of a user ready access to the contents when positioned in the bag, wherein the end portions of the first and second walls are folded when in the closed bag position, and wherein the reclosable sealer extends substantially the entire lateral extent of second wall of tube body adjacent the open end.

29. A bag as defined in claim 27, wherein the second portion of the reclosable sealer comprises at least one of the following:

a plastic material, a paper material, or a metal material, and wherein the tube body includes a plurality of layers of laminated material comprising at least one of the following;

polymeric material, a metal foil material, and a paper material.

30. A bag as defined in claim 27, wherein the first portion of the reclosable sealer comprises:

a first adhesive layer positioned to adhere the first portion of the reclosable sealer to the first wall of the tube body;

a first film layer overlying and abuttingly contacting the first adhesive layer; and

a second adhesive layer overlying and contacting the first film layer and positioned to abuttingly contact the second portion of the reclosable sealer when in the closed seal position.

31. A bag as defined in claim 27, wherein the second portion of the reclosable sealer comprises:

a second film layer positioned to overly and abuttingly contact the second adhesive layer of the first portion of the reclosable sealer when in the closed seal position; and

a paper layer positioned to overly and abuttingly contact the second film layer, the paper layer substantially contacting and adhering to the bonding material positioned on the outer surface of the second wall of the tube body thereby forming a bond between the reclosable sealer and the tube body.

32. A bag as defined in claim 30, wherein the second adhesive layer includes a plurality of spaced apart lines of adhesive material positioned on the outer surface of the first wall in the preselected region.

33. A bag as defined in claim 31, wherein the second portion of the reclosable sealer has regions thereof extending toward the closed end of the tube body when in the closed seal position devoid of contact with the second adhesive layer of the first portion of the reclosable sealer for easy grasping by a user, and wherein the second portion of the reclosable sealer further comprises a release agent positioned on a second film layer to enhance ready release of the first portion of the reclosable sealer from the second adhesive layer of the second portion of the reclosable sealer when an upright bag is in a closed seal position by manual upward pressure on the second portion.

34. A method of forming a bag having a reclosable sealer associated therewith and contents therein, the method comprising:

forming a tube body having an open end and a closed end positioned substantially opposite the open end from a plurality of laminated layers so that at least one laminated layer defines an inner surface of the tube body and at least one laminated layer defines an outer surface of the tube body, the tube body having a first wall positioned between the open end and the closed end and a second wall positioned to face opposite the first wall;

attaching a reclosable sealer to the first wall of the tube body adjacent the open end so that when the reclosable sealer is in an open seal position a first portion of the reclosable sealer is separated from a second portion of the reclosable sealer and when the reclosable sealer is in a closed seal position the first portion of the reclosable sealer contacts the second portion of the reclosable sealer to thereby allow the bag to be readily opened and closed;

filling the bag with an end user product;

positioning a bonding material on an outer surface of the second wall of the tube body adjacent the open end; and

folding the first and second walls until the bonding material contacts and substantially bonds to the reclosable sealer thereby attaching the reclosable sealer to the tube body.

35. A method of forming a bag as defined in claim 34, wherein the first portion of the reclosable sealer comprises:

a first adhesive layer positioned to adhere the first portion of the reclosable sealer to the first wall of the tube body;

a first film layer overlying and abuttingly contacting the adhesive layer; and

a second adhesive layer overlying and contacting the first film layer and positioned to abuttingly contact the second portion of the reclosable sealer when in the closed seal position.

36. A method of forming a bag as defined in claim 34, wherein the second portion of the reclosable sealer comprises:

a second film layer positioned to abuttingly contact the second adhesive layer of the first portion of the reclosable sealer when in the closed seal position; and

a paper layer overlying and abuttingly contacting the second film layer, the paper layer substantially contacting and adhering to a bonding material positioned on the outer surface of the second wall of the tube body thereby forming a bond between the reclosable sealer and the tube body.

37. A method of forming a bag as defined in claim 34, wherein the second adhesive layer of the first portion comprises a continuous pattern of adhesive material positioned in a preselected region of the outer surface of the first film layer of the first portion of the reclosable sealer.

38. A method of forming a bag as defined in claim 34, wherein the continuous pattern comprises a plurality of spaced apart lines of adhesive material positioned on the outer surface of the first film layer.

39. A method of forming a bag as defined in claim 35, wherein the plurality of layers of laminated material comprise at least one of the following:

a polymeric material, a metal foil material, and a paper material.

40. A method of forming a bag as defined in claim 34, wherein the step of attaching the reclosable sealer to the first wall of the tube body includes utilizing an application method comprising at least one of the following:

blow-on, tamp-on, wipe-on, merge-on, flag, round product, and corner-wrap application.

41. A method of forming a bag having a reclosable sealer associated therewith, the method comprising:

laminating a plurality of layers of material, the plurality of layers of laminated material comprise at least one of the following;

a polymeric material, a metal foil material, and a paper material;

forming a tube body from the laminated layers so that the at least one layer of the laminated material defines an inner surface of the tube body and at least one layer of laminated material defines an outer surface of the tube body, the tube body having a first wall and a second wall positioned to face opposite the first wall;

attaching a reclosable sealer to the first wall of the tube body adjacent the open end so that when the reclosable sealer is in an open seal position a first portion of the reclosable sealer is separated from a second portion of the reclosable sealer and when the reclosable sealer is in a closed seal position the first portion of the reclosable sealer contacts the second portion of the reclosable sealer to thereby allow the bag to be readily opened and closed;

positioning a bonding material on an outer surface of the second portion of the reclosable sealer; and

positioning a disposable layer over the bonding material thereby protecting the bonding material until the reclosable sealer is attached to the second wall of the tube body, the disposable layer being adapted to be removed from the bonding material and discarded.

42. A method of forming a bag as defined in claim 41, wherein the first portion of the reclosable sealer comprises:

a first adhesive layer positioned to adhere the first portion of the reclosable sealer to the first wall of the tube body;

a first film layer overlying and abuttingly contacting the adhesive layer; and

a second adhesive layer overlying and contacting the first film layer and positioned to abuttingly contact the second portion of the reclosable sealer when in the closed seal position.

43. A method of forming a bag as defined in claim 41, wherein the second portion of the reclosable sealer comprises:

a second film layer positioned to abuttingly contact the second adhesive layer of the first portion of the reclosable sealer when in the closed seal position; and

a paper layer overlying and abuttingly contacting the second film layer, the paper layer substantially contacting and adhering to a bonding material positioned on the outer surface of the second wall of the tube body thereby forming a bond between the reclosable sealer and the tube body.

44. A method of using a bag comprising:

lifting a second portion of a reclosable sealer connected to a folded portion of a second wall of a bag to separate the second portion of the reclosable sealer from a first portion of the reclosable sealer connected to a non-folded first wall of the bag when in a closed seal position of the reclosable sealer so that the separating of the second portion from the first portion defines an open seal position of the reclosable sealer, the folded portion of the second wall contacting a folded portion of the first wall when in a closed bag position;

unfolding the folded portions of the second wall and the first wall of the bag; and

separating the unfolded first wall and the unfolded second wall of the bag to define an open bag position and thereby provide a substantially wide-opening access to contents of the bag.

45. A method of using a bag as defined in claim 44, further comprising filling the bag with contents through the substantially wide-opening access and into the bag when in the open bag position.

46. A method of using a bag as defined in claim 45, further comprising inserting a scoop through the substantially wide-opening access and into the bag and scooping the contents out of the wide-opening access of the bag with the scoop when in the open bag position.

47. A method of using a bag comprising:

separating a first wall and a second wall of a bag to define an open bag position and thereby provide a substantially wide-opening access to contents of the bag, the bag having a reclosable sealer attached to the first wall adjacent an open end so that when the reclosable sealer is in an open seal position a first portion of the reclosable sealer is separated from a second portion of the reclosable sealer and when the reclosable sealer is in a closed seal position the first portion of the reclosable sealer contacts the second portion of the reclosable sealer to thereby allow the bag to be readily opened and closed;

filling the bag with contents through the substantially wide-opening access of the bag when in the open bag position;

removing a protective disposable layer positioned on a bonding material positioned on an outer surface of the second portion of the reclosable sealer once the bag has been filled with contents; and

folding the first and second walls until the bonding material contacts and substantially bonds to the second wall of the bag thereby attaching the reclosable sealer to the second wall.

48. A method of using a bag comprising:

separating a first wall and a second wall of a bag to define an open bag position and thereby provide a substantially wide-opening access to contents of the bag, the bag having a reclosable sealer attached to the first wall adjacent an open end so that when the reclosable sealer is in an open seal position a first portion of the reclosable sealer is separated from a second portion of the reclosable sealer and when the reclosable sealer is in a closed seal position the first portion of the reclosable sealer contacts the second portion of the reclosable sealer to thereby allow the bag to be readily opened and closed;

filling the bag with contents through the substantially wide-opening access of the bag when in the open bag position;

removing a protective disposable layer positioned on a bonding material positioned on an outer surface of the second wall once the bag has been filled with contents; and

folding the first and second walls until the bonding material contacts and substantially bonds to the second portion of the reclosable sealer thereby attaching the reclosable sealer to the second wall.