Fastener assembly, fastener tape material, bag utilizing fastener tape material, and method of manufacture thereof

• US 6,138,329 A
• Filed: 07/15/1998
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pascua, Jes F.
• Application Number:
  US09/116,087
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 383/61, 383/63, 383/66, 24/576, 24/578, 24/587, 24/588
• US Class Current: 24/584.1
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 19/16 Interlocking member having uniform section throughout the length of the stringer for sacks or bags B65D33/2508
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/48 for articles of indefinite length, i.e. bending a strip progressively
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 70/8133 Applying the closure elements in the cross direction
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 41/16 by rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 61/188 by applying or incorporating profile-strips, e.g. for reclosable bags
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 9/20 the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 9/2056 Machines for packages of special type or form
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 9/213 the web having intermittent motion B65B9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/10 Tearable part of the container B65D2401/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/15 Tearable part of the closure B65D2401/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/004 Information or decoration elements, e.g. level indicators, detachable tabs or coupons
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/2533 the slide fastener being located between the product compartment and the tamper indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/2541 characterised by the slide fastener, e.g. adapted to interlock with a sheet between the interlocking members having sections of particular shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/2575 the slide fastener providing access to the bag through a bag wall, e.g. intended to be cut open by the consumer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/50 including member having elongated, resilient, interlocking face with identical, parallel cross-sections throughout its length
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45152 Each mating member having similarly shaped, sized, and operated interlocking or intermeshable face

Abstract

The present invention includes methods, an apparatus and a system in which reclosable bags and components thereof are formed. The reclosable bags are made from base web material that has transversely applied fastener tape segments thereon. The web material is used in a vertical form, fill and seal bag forming method. The method includes the steps of supplying a continuous strip of tape, having first and second closure elements sealed thereon. The first and second closure elements have respectively a pair of male profiles and a pair of female or u-shaped elements thereon, each shaped for interlocking with the other. A thickened sealing bridge between the male elements and a second thickened sealing bridge between the female elements allows precise sealing of the fastener element to fastener tape or to the bag walls as desired. It also facilitates keeping the profiles interlocked.

Claims

1. A reclosable fastener assembly for bag making material, said fastener comprising:

a first closure element comprising a base member, a first male profile extending substantially perpendicularly from said base member and a second male profile extending substantially perpendicularly from said base and substantially parallel to said first male profile said base member further comprising a sealing bridge section extending between said first and second male profiles, said bridge section being thicker than marginal portions of said base, said increased thickness extending in a direction opposite to said first and second male profiles;

a second closure element, said closure element comprising a pair of substantially u-shaped members, said u-shaped members each defining a channel portion constructed and arranged for selective interlocking with said first and second male profiles;

a second sealing bridge extending between said u-shaped members, said second sealing bridge being substantially as thick as said first sealing bridge;

said first and second male members and said u-shaped members further being constructed and arranged, sized and positioned for supporting, when interlocked, said sealing bridge sections in parallel to each other so as to provide a flat surface for sealing of said fastener assembly to said bag making material.

2. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein said thickened sealing bridge section of said first closure element is approximately 0.060 inches in width and 0.010 inches in thickness ±

0.003 inches.

3. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein said thickened sealing bridge section of said second closure element is approximately 0.060 inches in width and 0.010 inches in thickness ±

0.003 inches.

4. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein said first male profile and said second male profile extend approximately 0.047 inches from the outside of said base member ±

0.003 inches and said first and second male members are approximately 0.066 inches ±

0.003 inches separate from each other, taken along the central axis of each of said male members.

5. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein said substantially u-shaped members on said second closure element are approximately 0.046 inches ±

0.003 in height from the outside of said base member and are separated by a distance of approximately 0.067 inches ±

0.003, taken along the central axis of each of said u-shaped members.

6. The reclosable fastener elements of claim 1 wherein said first closure element and said second closure element are approximately 0.120 inches in width when used on thin film, 0.124 inches in width when used on intermediate thickness bag making material and 0.128 inches in width when used on heavier bag making material.

7. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein said first closure element and said second closure element, when interlocked, form a substantially rectangular strip in cross-section which may be easily guided through bag making equipment.

8. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein said u-shaped members of the second closure element comprise curved lateral edges constructed and arranged, sized and positioned for facilitating guidance of said second closure element through bag making equipment.

9. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein said thickened sealing bridge is constructed and arranged for flexibility during opening and closing of said reclosable bags, but is sufficiently rigid to permit and facilitate sealing of said thickened sealing bridge to said bag making material during bag manufacturing.

10. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein said male profiles are constructed and arranged for sufficient rigidity to maintain interlocking with said u-shaped closures, while at the same time being sufficiently flexible for selectively opening of said fastener assembly, as desired.

11. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein said u-shaped members are constructed and arranged for rigidity in maintaining said fastener assembly in an interlocked configuration, while at the same time being sufficiently flexible to allow selective opening of said fastener assembly, as required.

12. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein said male profile members are approximately 0.014 inches in width ±

0.003.

13. The reclosable fastener profile of claim 1 wherein said u-shaped members are approximately each 0.054 inches ±

0.003 in width and have an interior diameter of approximately 0.015 inches ±

0.003.

14. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second male profiles include at the ends thereof product side and consumer side barbs and said barbs on said first male profile and said second male profile are constructed and arranged with said product side barbs being longer than said consumer side barbs to provide increased resistance to opening on the product side of said fastener assembly when sealed on said bag making materials and interlocked in a bag.

15. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein said second male profile and said second u-shaped member serve as a secondary interlock when said first male profile and said first u-shaped member have been separated, thereby preventing inadvertent opening of said fastener assembly.

16. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein said first male profile and said first u-shaped member serve as a secondary interlock when said second male member and said second u-shaped member have been separated, thereby preventing inadvertent opening of said reclosable fastener assembly when used in reclosable bags made from said bag making material.

17. A reclosable fastener assembly for bag making material, said fastener assembly comprising:

a first closure element, said first closure element comprising a base member;

a first male profile extending substantially perpendicularly from said base member and a second male profile extending substantially perpendiculalary from said base member and substantially parallel to said first male profile;

said base member further comprising a sealing bridge section extending between said first and second male profiles, said bridge section being thicker than marginal portions of said base, said increased thickness extending in a direction opposite to said first and second male profiles;

a second closure element, said second closure element comprising a pair of substantially u-shaped members, a first one of said u-shaped members defining a first channel portion, a first leg portion and a second leg portion;

said first leg portion having a first hook member attached to and extending inwardly therefrom;

said second leg portion having a second hook member attached to and extending inwardly therefrom;

a second one of said u-shaped members comprising a second channel portion, a third leg portion and a fourth leg portion, a third hook member extending inwardly from said third leg member and a fourth hook member extending inwardly from said fourth leg member, said first and second hook members and said first and second leg members being constructed and arranged, sized and positioned for telescope reception of and selective retention of said first male member;

said third and fourth hook members and said third and fourth leg members being constructed and arranged, sized and positioned for telescope reception of and selective retention of said second male member;

a second sealing bridge extending between said first and second u-shaped members said second sealing bridge being substantially as thick as said first sealing bridge and;

said first and second male members and said u-shaped members further being constructed and arranged, sized and positioned for supporting when interlocked with said first and second u-shaped members, said sealing bridge sections in parallel to each other, thereby facilitating sealing of said fastener assembly to said bag making material.

18. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 17 wherein said first male profile comprises a barb member integrally formed thereon proximate the distal end of said male profile;

said first closure element further comprising a second barb member integrally formed on the distal end of said second male profile;

said first and second barb members being constructed and arranged, sized and positioned for selective interlocking with said u-shaped closure members.

19. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 18 wherein said first barb member has first and second prong members extending substantially laterally therefrom adaptive for interlocking with said first and second hook members and said second barb member has third and fourth prongs extending laterally therefrom adaptive for selective interlocking with said third and fourth hook members on said second u-shaped member.

20. The reclosable fastener assembly of claim 19 wherein said third and fourth prong members are larger than said first and second prong members whereby said second male member, when interlocked with said second u-shaped member, is more difficult to separate from said second u-shaped member than said first male member when interlocked with said second u-shaped member.