Improved recloseable package for pinch-grip opening

Abstract

A recloseable package including a recloseable fastener assembly is configured to facilitate pinch-grip opening of the package by gripping and separation of front and rear panels of the package. In order to facilitate opening in this manner, the recloseable fastener assembly is configured to open and separate during pinch-grip opening, without separation of the fastener assembly from the body of the package and / or delamination of the package body. To this end, elements of the recloseable fastener assembly are partially separated from each other, intermediate the ends thereof, to facilitate opening of the fastener assembly without separation of the assembly from the body. Alternatively, the fastener assembly can be configured such that one of the elements has a pair of flange portions for attachment to the package body, while the other fastener element has a single flange portion. The fastener elements are configured to preferentially separate in a direction generally away from that direction in which the single flange portion extends. The present recloseable package can be configured for efficient formation on a vertical form, fill, and seal filling apparatus.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to packages that can be pinch-grip opened, that is, the end seal of the package can be broken open by pulling the front and rear panels of the package apart. More particularly the present invention relates to recloseable packages that each include a recloseable fastener assembly that can be pinch-grip opened in conjunction with the breaking open of the package end seal.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Packages that can be pinch-grip opened are commonly used when packaging snack foods. Film substrates utilized to make packages for snack foods, such as potato chips, corn chips, or the like have been designed so that the end seal of the package preferably breaks open prior to the tearing of the film.[0003]Recloseable packages have come into increasingly widespread use in view of the convenience they provide to consumers and other users to permit a portion of a package's contents to be used, and the package effectively reclosed. To this...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]Another advantage of the present invention is that when using conventional locking members, a method is taught whereby the locking members can be left unlocked in a center portion where the forces are the greatest.

[0016]An improved recloseable package embodying the principles of the present invention comprises a package body including a front wall or panel, and a rear wall or panel joined to each other. A recloseable fastener assembly is joined to the package body for gaining access to the interior of the package body, with the fastener assembly including first and second fastener elements which can be releasably secured to each other for closing the package body after the fastener elements have been separated from each other.

[0017]In order to facilitate pinch-grip opening of the package, by grasping and separating the front and rear panels of the package, the first and second fastener elements are at least partially separated from each other, intermediate the ends of the fastener assembly, to facilitate initial separation of the first and second fastener elements. In the preferred form, the first and second fastener elements respectively define at least one groove, and at least one projection, or vice versa, which cooperate with each other to releaseably secure the fastener elements to each other. Flange portions of the fastener assembly facilitate its securement to the inside surface of the film material or the like from which the package is formed, and facilitates releasable opening of the package. Specifically, the first fastener element has a pair of first flange portions respectively extending in generally opposite directions thereof to facilitate joining of the fastener assembly to the package body, such as to the inside of the front panel of the package. In contrast, the second fastener element has a single, second flange portion extending from only one side thereof, to facilitate joining of the second fastener element to the interior of the package body after the package body is formed generally about the fastener assembly. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the fastener assembly is provided with three flange portions which are secured to the inside of the package body.

[0018]As noted, the fastener assembly of the present invention is preferably configured to facilitate pinch-grip opening of the package by gripping and separating the front and rear panels thereof. In particular, the present package is configured so as to facilitate pinch-grip opening, without separation of the second fastener element, having a single flange portion, from the interior of the package body or without permanently deforming the package body, such as by delamination thereof.

[0019]In one form of the invention, the fastener assembly is configured to facilitate pinch-grip opening by the first and second fastener elements being partially separated from each other, intermediate the ends of the fastener assembly. Pinch-grip opening of the package by separation of the fastener elements and subsequent opening of the generally adjacent end seal, is thus facilitated.

[0020]In another aspect of the invention, the fastener assembly itself can be configured to facilitate separation of the fastener element in a preferential fashion, that is, providing fastener elements which provide the desired releasable securement when separated normally, generally away from each other, but which can be more easily separated from each other when manipulated in a different fashion. In particular, this aspect of the present invention contemplates the fastener elements can be configured to facilitate separation from each other by movement of the first fastener assembly in a direction, relative to the second fastener assembly, which is generally away from the direction in which the flange portion of the second fastener element extends from the second fastener element. In presently preferred embodiments, the single flange of the second fastener element extends in a direction generally toward an end seal of the package generally adjacent to which the fastener assembly is positioned in closely spaced relationship. This arrangement facilitates pinch-grip opening of the package, in that separation of the front and rear panels away from each other acts to pull the first fastener element in a direction generally away from the direction in which the flange portion of the second fastener element extends.

Problems solved by technology

Such access means often require perforations that compromise the gas barrier properties of the package.

Perforations allow the nitrogen to escape rapidly, drastically shortening the shelf life of the packaged product.

Packages formed in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,396 use various interlocking profile strip recloseable fastener types, but this patent fails to recognize the mechanics involved in pinch-grip opened package with certain types of recloseable fastener assemblies.

The problem results from the lack of leverage on the locking members of the recloseable fastener assembly when pulling the front and rear panels of the packages apart.

The opening of the recloseable fastener from the opposite direction creates some mechanical problems for many typical fastener assemblies due to the lack of leverage on the interlocking profile strips.

This problem results primarily when packages are formed with the recloseable fastener being transversely positioned to the forming axis of the package.

When attempting to open a package by pinch-grip opening it below the fastener assembly, typical fastener assemblies with typical sealing arrangements fail to unlock before the seal attaching the flange of the assembly to the back wall of the package fails.

When using laminated film structures as is used with typical snack food packaging the film often delaminates before the seal fails.

This has resulted in the recloseable fastener being more expensive and it has required that the amount of packaging film be increased to accommodate the wider fastener assembly which results in additional packaging cost.

The sealing jaw arrangement on the form, fill, and seal machine needed to attach such a four flange fastener assembly is more complex and expensive, as well.

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