Opening apparatus for a plastic bag

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an opening apparatus for a preferably reclosable pouch or plastic bag. The pouch has a sealing strip with first and second registrable profiles located along opposing inner faces of first and second panels. The apparatus includes a first discrete gripping area located substantially over a first portion of an outer face of the first panel adjacent the first registrable profile. The apparatus also includes a second discrete gripping area located substantially over a second portion of an outer face of the second panel adjacent the second registrable profile, At least one of the discrete gripping areas are textured so that the application of oblique opening forces relative to the sealing strip and within the plane of the panels against the areas separates the closed registrable profiles from each other so as to open the pouch.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to plastic bags, and more particularly to an opening apparatus for use with a plastic bag, being reclosable or not.BACKGROUND[0002]Thermoplastic bags (or pouches) are now commonplace for storing items such as foodstuff and the like. Eventually, if the items in the pouch are air or moisture sensitive, or need to be safely contained within the bag, a variety of closure devices for sealing the pouch have been designed. The closure devices typically include registrable multiple profiles disposed on opposed inner surfaces of pouch walls. In one example, two sets of inner profiles are disposed on pouch walls wherein each set includes a male and a female closure element. The profiles are engaged with each other by applying closing forces against the outer surface of the pouch walls, typically by sliding a users thumb and forefinger along the entire length of the closure device, while simultaneously applying the forces. While the closure of...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]The present overcomes many of these problems, and provides a unique and advantageous design for a novel non-slip opening apparatus for a reclosable pouch or bag similar to the Ziplock™ designs currently on the market. The opening apparatus uses a discrete, textured area which permit the thumb and forefinger to apply forces against the area to quickly and easily open the bag by breaking the seal which typically runs adjacent and across the entire length of one edge of the bag.

Problems solved by technology

While the closure of the seal is elegant and straightforward, problems often arise when the user comes to re-open the closed pouch.

Generally speaking, opening the closed pouch is difficult and cumbersome to achieve.

Like any zipper-like mechanism, the problems arise when the zipper becomes disengaged from the mechanism.

Furthermore, the zipper mechanism can be fouled by dirt and particles making them difficult to move.

Also, the additional complexity of having an additional piece in an otherwise simple design adds to the cost of manufacture.

However, this seemingly simple approach can be difficult if the user has slippery fingers such as, for example, cooking oil on their fingers.

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