Reclosable child resistant closure bag

Abstract

The present invention relates to a child-resistant closure bag (1) comprising a bag (2) with at least one reversibly sealable bag side (3) having two bag edges (4) with complementary locking profiles (5) and a cuboid sliding element (6) that can be placed on the bag edge with a specific contact element (13) and a lever element (8), wherein the locking profiles can only be opened at a specific location with a recess (11) in the bag edge by actuating the lever element.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a child-resistant closure bag comprising a bag with at least one reversibly sealable bag side having two bag edges with complementary locking profiles and a sliding element to be placed on the bag edge with a contact element and a lever element, wherein the locking profiles can only be opened at a specific location with a recess in the bag edge by actuating the lever element.

[0002] Compared to single-use packaging, which is typically discarded after use, resealable packaging solutions offer significantly greater sustainability potential in the household sector. In addition to improved sustainability, resealable bags, for example, are frequently used for storing goods such as food, as their resealability allows for easy portioning and removal of the contents. By transferring the goods from the retail packaging to the resealable container, the contents are largely protected from environmental influences, and this environment can be maintained until the contents are completely consumed. To ensure ease of use, existing packaging solutions have been designed for simple opening and closing.This suitability unfortunately means that ordinary resealable bags can easily be used by children. Depending on the bag's contents, this is undesirable, as the contents could pose varying degrees of health risks to the child. Even if this is not the case, it can still be undesirable for children to be able to independently decide whether to remove the contents from the bag. Therefore, there is a need for technical solutions that allow adults to easily open and close a resealable bag while largely preventing children from doing so.

[0003] Patent literature also contains a wide variety of technical solutions for the construction of resealable storage bags.

[0004] For example, US 10,214,322 B2 describes a child-resistant plastic bag assembly with a zipper, consisting of a first and a second side panel, the upper sections of which each form an opening. The bag assembly includes a zipper connected to the respective upper sections of the first and second side panels to lock the opening between an open and a closed position. A slider with a base functionally attached to the zipper and interacting with it to allow movement between a first position, in which the opening is in the closed position, and a second position, in which the opening is in the open position.The slide comprises a first wing extending outwards from the base, adjacent to the upper part of the first side panel, and a second wing, also extending outwards from the base, adjacent to the upper part of the second side panel. A locking mechanism is operable between the first and second wings, configured to engage with both the first and second side panels when locked, thus securing the slide in the first position.

[0005] US Patent 7,510,328 B2 discloses a resealable package comprising a container with an opening, a header enclosing a space above the opening, and a slider-zipper assembly arranged in the opening, the slider-zipper assembly comprising a slider mounted on a zipper. The header has a tear-off section and corresponding remaining sections flanking at least one section of the slider. A tear tab is connected to the slider and rotatable relative to it. It projects beyond the upper edges of the remaining sections of the header. This arrangement allows the user to move the slider by grasping the tear tab. The user does not need to reach into the space between the remaining parts of the header to grasp the slider itself. In one embodiment, the tear tab is connected to the side walls of the slider.

[0006] Finally, US patent 2007 177 827 A1 also shows a zipper profile assembly for opening and closing a package. The zipper profile assembly comprises a resealable zipper profile with a first and a second zipper end. End stops are located at the first and second zipper ends of the resealable zipper profile. The end stops include an amount of adhesive placed between the first and second zipper sections of the resealable zipper profile. The end stops prevent a slider of the zipper profile assembly from detaching from the resealable zipper profile.

[0007] Against this background of the prior art, the object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved child-resistant closure bag. In particular, the child-resistant closure bag according to the invention should enable easy and safe opening and closing for adults and make it difficult or completely impossible for children to access the contents.

[0008] This object of the invention is achieved by means of a child-resistant resealable bag with the features specified in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0009] According to the invention, a child-resistant closure bag comprises a bag with at least one reversibly sealable bag side, two bag edges with complementary locking profiles, and a cuboid sliding element that can be placed on the bag edge, having a rectangular sliding element top, a lever element, and side elements extending from two longitudinal sides of the sliding element top towards the bag, wherein a) the reversibly sealable bag edge has a recess, wherein the area of ​​the recess has a depth at least equal to both bag edges with the complementary locking profiles and a length at least 10% of the longest axial extent of the sliding element's upper surface; and b) the sliding element has two side elements of different lengths by at least 10% in the direction from the sliding element's upper surface towards a sliding element's lower surface, and a triangular contact element arranged inside the cuboid sliding element and mechanically connected to the lever element, wherein the triangular contact element is designed to engage with the complementary locking profiles.

[0010] Surprisingly, it was found that the inventive design of the closure bag provides a packaging solution that is very easy for adults to open. Children, on the other hand, have great difficulty opening the bag independently. Without being bound by theory, this age-dependent difference in the correct handling of the bag arises primarily from the fact that opening requires both a specific position on the bag's edge and the correct operation of the lever element. Simply operating the lever element is just as ineffective as simply moving the bag to the opening position within the recess.In addition, the handling of the bag is also characterized by the specific interaction of the complementary locking profiles in conjunction with the triangular contact element, which, when applied within the recess, causes the locking profiles to open easily. The bag can thus be easily opened at a specifically designated point and prevents the locking profiles from being forced apart at points on the bag edge where, due to the lack of a recess, the contact element does not have unrestricted access to the locking profiles. Furthermore, the design allows the bag to be closed at any point when the lever element remains unactuated. This basic principle requires minimal effort, making the design easy to use even for elderly or disabled individuals.

[0011] The child-resistant closure bag comprises a bag with at least one reversibly sealable side and two bag edges with complementary locking profiles. The child-resistant design of the bag can be achieved using standard bags. The choice of material, size, and thickness are not restricted, as long as the material allows for sufficient formation of the complementary locking profiles. For example, for safe handling, the bag can have dimensions with minimum edge lengths greater than or equal to 5 cm and less than or equal to 75 cm. The thickness of the bag material can be greater than or equal to 10 µm and less than or equal to 500 µm. The bag's symmetry can be, for example, square or rectangular. One side of the bag can be opened, while the other sides are sealed by the bag material itself.On the side of the bag that can be repeatedly opened and resealed, the otherwise closed bag is cut open, revealing two opposing edges on different sides. Extending from each of these edges is a locking profile, the interaction of which creates a reversible closure. The profiles are complementary in that one profile on the bag edge engages with the other profile on the opposite edge and is mechanically and reversibly held in place. These complementary locking profiles can be separate components molded onto the bag, or they can be formed from the bag material itself.

[0012] Furthermore, the child-resistant closure bag features a cuboid sliding element that attaches to the bag's edge. This sliding element has a rectangular top surface, a lever, and side elements extending from two longitudinal sides of the top surface towards the bag. For interaction with the complementary locking profiles, the closure bag has a sliding element that is in direct mechanical contact with them. The sliding element is positioned on the locking profiles from outside the bag and surrounds them. This allows the sliding element to be moved back and forth on both locking profiles and also across the recess. For ease of use, the basic symmetry of the top and bottom surfaces of the sliding element is rectangular, with the entire element being cuboid and the locking profiles running inside the cuboid.The locking profiles are laterally enclosed by the longitudinal sides of the sliding element, the side elements which form the sides of the sliding element's cuboid. To actually open the bag, the sliding element has a lever element that must be actively operated to release the locking profiles. Without actuating the lever element, the locking profiles cannot be separated and the bag remains closed. A lever element can be an elongated lever, a push button, or a switch. The specific design of the lever is not important for its function, as long as a clear mechanical actuation is transmitted by the user.

[0013] The reversibly sealable bag edge has a) a recess, the depth of which encompasses at least both bag edges with their complementary locking profiles, and the length of at least 10% of the longest axial dimension of the sliding element's upper surface. To open the bag, the bag edge with the locking profiles has a lowered and cut edge in the form of a recess. The recess extends through both bag edges and locking profiles within the same bag edge area. At the edges of the recess, within the bag edge, the locking profiles are visible and can interact with the contact element of the sliding element. Outside this recess, interlocking locking profiles are present, which do not allow interaction with the contact element. The shape of the recess in the bag edge can be, for example, square or rectangular.For reliable interaction between the recess and the sliding element, it has proven advantageous for the recess to have a minimum size or length within the bag edge. This should be a function of the linear expansion of the sliding element, i.e., the expansion of the element parallel to the bag edge, and should be at least within the size range specified above. Preferably, the linear expansion of the recess along the bag edge can also be greater than or equal to 15% and less than or equal to 60%, and further preferably greater than or equal to 20% and less than or equal to 40%. Within these dimensions, the recess can be reliably identified and handled, and with a high probability prevents unintentional opening or tilting of the sliding element.

[0014] Furthermore, the sliding element b) has two side elements whose lengths differ by at least 10% in the direction from the top of the sliding element towards its underside, and a triangular contact element arranged inside the cuboid sliding element, which is mechanically connected to the lever element and is designed to engage with the complementary locking profiles. For a safe and easy opening process at the designated location, it has proven advantageous that the two side elements are not identical in their extension from the top of the sliding element. One side is longer than the other and thus extends further towards the bottom of the bag. It has also proven advantageous that the actual means for separating the complementary locking profiles is triangular in shape.The triangular contact element is freestanding. This means that none of its sides connect to any other structural element. This is achieved by primarily holding the contact element in place via a connection of its triangular base to the top of the sliding element from below. The contact element lies within the cuboid sliding element and, within the recess and when the lever element is actuated, engages the complementary locking profiles, separating them and opening the bag. Outside the recess, the contact element cannot engage the locking profiles and, without triggering an opening action, simply rests on the surface of the interlocking locking profiles. The orientation of the contact element within the sliding element can be freely chosen, but advantageously depends on the orientation of the lever element.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the child-resistant closure bag, the side elements, which are of different lengths, can differ from one another by at least 15%. The aforementioned length difference of the side elements has proven particularly advantageous for easy sliding along the bag edges and along the locking profiles. The position and orientation of the sliding element, even within the area of ​​the recess, are sufficiently stabilized so that no tilting of the sliding element occurs.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the child-resistant closure bag, the triangular contact element can be an isosceles triangular contact element. An isosceles triangle has proven particularly suitable as a contact element for easy opening within the recess and secure locking at the other points of the locking profile. The force required to open the interlocking locking profiles can initially be kept very low, and the locking profiles are reliably separated by the contact element. Preferably, the isosceles triangular contact element can have a side length, relative to the transverse dimension of the sliding element, of greater than or equal to 40% and less than or equal to 90%, and more preferably of greater than or equal to 50% and less than or equal to 80%. These dimensions allow for easy opening even for elderly people with reduced finger strength.

[0017] In a preferred characteristic of the child-resistant closure bag, the triangular contact element can have a recess, the recess extending at least to one side of the triangular contact element. To further reduce the force required for opening, it has proven advantageous for the contact element not to be formed over its entire surface. This results in a contact element with a hole or a cutout, which reduces the mass of the contact element and also gives the triangular shape a certain degree of flexibility during the opening process.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment of the child-resistant closure bag, the recess in the triangular contact element can have cylindrical symmetry and be located centrally within the triangular contact element. The flexibility of the contact element can be increased, particularly in cases where the recess is rotationally symmetrical. This facilitates the opening process within the recess.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the child-resistant closure bag, one of the locking profiles can have a T-shaped engagement element, wherein the upper side of the T of the T-shaped engagement element runs parallel to the bag wall. In combination with a recess in the locking profiles and the bag edge to define an opening position, T-shaped engagement elements have proven particularly suitable. For this purpose, the T-shaped engagement elements are specifically oriented with respect to the bag edge and the bag side. In this context, the upper side of the T is oriented parallel to the corresponding bag side and perpendicular to the bag edge. The lower part of the T is accordingly oriented perpendicular to the bag sides. This type of interlocking of the locking profiles allows for easy opening and subsequent closing, even within the recess.Furthermore, the interlocking locking profiles outside the recess can only be opened with a great deal of force, which in turn can increase child safety.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the child-resistant closure bag, the locking profile, which does not include the T-shaped engagement element, can have a receptacle for the T-shaped engagement element. This receptacle does not accommodate the T-shaped engagement element symmetrically, and the contact area of ​​the receptacle with the T-shaped engagement element is smaller in the upper region, towards the bag edge, compared to the lower region, further away from the bag edge. For an easily controlled opening process via the contact element within the recess, it has proven advantageous that the T-shaped engagement element is not held uniformly within the complementary locking profile.Therefore, at this height, the area of ​​the other locking profile complementary to the T-profile is designed asymmetrically, with the T-profile being held more securely by the stronger mechanical contact opposite the direction of the bag edge. Particularly in combination with a contact element in the form of an isosceles triangle and a lowered bag edge as the opening position, this can result in easier opening of the closure.

[0021] In a further preferred characteristic of the child-resistant resealable bag, the recess in the reversibly sealable bag edge can have a trapezoidal symmetry. In this embodiment, there is no rectangular recess in the bag edge and the locking profiles. The boundary of the recess to the other locking profiles is chamfered. With a straight end edge of the recess facing the bag, this results in a trapezoidal shape of the recess with a longer upper edge. In this embodiment, particularly when using a triangular contact element, improved force can be exerted on the locking profiles during the separation process. This allows for a reduction in the mechanical forces required to open the closure at the opening position.Preferably, the chamfer can assume an angle of greater than or equal to 5° and less than or equal to 40°, more preferably of greater than or equal to 10° and less than or equal to 35° with respect to the normal of the base surface at this point.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the child-resistant closure bag, the lever element can be arranged on the top of the sliding element. For easy and safe handling of the lever element, even in small recesses in the bag's edge, this arrangement on the top of the sliding element has proven particularly suitable. This position is significantly more advantageous compared to a lateral arrangement of the lever element on the sliding element. Furthermore, the force required to open the bag can be more easily adjusted in this way.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment of the child-resistant resealable bag, the complementary locking profiles on the upper side can each have a sealing lip towards the bag edge, with one of the sealing lips having a rounded end edge and the other a wedge-shaped end edge. The shape of the end edges on the outside of the bag can also affect the force required to open it. This asymmetrical shape of the sealing lips makes opening within the recess easier and opening outside of it more difficult. Thus, the resealable bag according to the invention can also be handled safely by elderly people.

[0024] Examples and embodiments of the present invention will be described in an exemplary manner with reference to the Figures 1 to 6 described: Figure 1 schematically shows the structure of a child-resistant closure bag according to the invention; Figure 2schematically shows the structure of the sealable side of the bag; Figure 3 schematically shows in a section the structure of the sealable side of the bag; Figure 4 schematically shows the opening process on the sealable side of the bag; Figure 5 schematically shows the structure of the sliding element in a frontal view; Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of the sliding element's construction from below.

[0025] The Figure 1Figure 1 schematically shows the structure of a child-resistant resealable bag 1 according to the invention. The child-resistant resealable bag 1 is shown in a top view, with the front of the bag 2 shown open. In a conventional design, all sides of the bag 2 are closed, and the child-resistant resealable bag 1 can only be opened via the resealable side 3. Complementary locking profiles 5 are provided on the bag edge 4 of the resealable side 3. Each of the open sides of the bag 2 has a complementary locking profile 5. The two locking profiles 5 are designed to be complementary to each other, with one of the complementary locking profiles 5 having means for engaging with the other locking profile 5. The interlocking of the individual profile components creates a positive fit of the locking profiles 5.By releasing the interlocking profiles 5, the resealable child-resistant bag 1 is opened at the closable side 3. The closable side 3 is closed by the interlocking profiles 5. Since the child-resistant bag 1 is shown with the side 3 closed, the complementary locking profiles 5 are interlocked, thus sealing the closable side 3. The sliding element 6 can be moved manually on the complementary locking profiles 5, allowing them to be pushed apart (opened) or interlocked (closed). This figure also shows that the bag edge 4, with its interlocked, complementary locking profiles 5, does not completely form the closable side 3.There is a recess 11 in the bag edge 4 and the complementary locking profiles 5. The complementary locking profiles 5 can only be opened by the sliding element at this point in the recess 11.

[0026] The Figure 2Figure 1 schematically shows the structure of the sealable bag side 3. The complementary locking profiles 5, shown here in a closed position, are located on the bag edge 4 of the sealable bag side 3. The sliding element 6 moves on the complementary locking profiles 5 along the sealable bag side 3. The sliding element 6 has an upper surface 7 on which the lever element 8 is arranged. The side elements 9 of the sliding element 6 extend laterally along the bag 2 and encompass the complementary locking profiles 5. The side elements 9 of the sliding element 6 are located on each side of the bag 2 and extend from the upper surface 7 of the sliding element to the lower surface 12. The recess 11, in which the sides of the locking profiles 5 are exposed, separates the complementary locking profiles 5 and is located in the bag edge 4.Only within this area of ​​the recess 11 can the complementary locking profiles 5 be moved apart by the sliding element 6. The locking mechanism cannot be opened by the sliding element 6 when the locking profiles 5 are closed and interlocked. This figure also shows that one of the complementary locking profiles 5 has a T-shaped engagement element 15 on the side of the bag edge 4. For illustrative purposes, this T-shaped engagement element 15 is shown on the front edge of the bag 4. For a usable child-resistant resealable bag 1, this edge is normally closed.

[0027] The Figure 3Figure 1 schematically shows a section of the structure of the sealable bag side 3. The sealable bag side 3 is closed by the complementary locking profiles 5. In the closed state, the complementary locking profiles 5 interlock and thus seal the sealable bag side 3 at the bag edge 4. Each of the complementary locking profiles 5 has a sealing lip 17 on its upper side, with the sealing lips 17 of the complementary locking profiles 5 overlapping and thus sealing the complementary locking profiles 5 to the outside. The sealing lips 17 have different shapes. One of the sealing lips 17 has a rounded end edge 18, and the corresponding complementary locking profile 5 has a pointed sealing lip 17.Below the sealing lips 17 of the complementary locking profiles 5 lie the mechanical locks, which, by interlocking, effect the reversible closure of the bag 2. In this case, a T-shaped engagement element 15 is responsible for the locking, which engages in a corresponding receptacle 16 of the complementary locking profile 5. It can also be seen in this figure that the recess 11 has angled side walls, with the recess 11 taking the form of a trapezoid in the side view of the child-resistant closure bag 1. Due to the angle, the upper side of the trapezoid is longer than the base of the trapezoid.

[0028] The Figure 4Figure 5 schematically illustrates the opening process at the sealable side of the bag 3. This figure particularly shows the interaction of the sliding element 6 with the complementary locking profiles 5. One of the complementary locking profiles 5 has a T-shaped engagement element 15. The upper side of the T of the T-shaped engagement element 15 runs parallel to the orientation of the bag 2 at this height and perpendicular to the orientation of the bag edge 4. In the corresponding complementary section of the other complementary locking profile 5, there is a corresponding receptacle 16 for the T-shaped engagement element 15. The receptacle 16 is asymmetrically designed, resulting in less mechanical fixation towards the bag edge 4. This is achieved by the receptacle 16 exerting less mechanical contact with the T-shaped engagement element 15 at this point.The complementary locking profiles 5 are opened and pushed apart in the area of ​​the recess 11 by the sliding element 6. The opening process is initiated within the recess 11 by actuating the lever element 8. Actuating the lever element 8 pushes a contact element 13 (not shown here) between the complementary locking profiles 5, thus pushing them apart. By pushing them apart, the bag 2 can be opened at the closable side 3. This detailed drawing also shows that the complementary locking profiles 5 have sealing lips 17 on their upper surface in the direction of the sliding element 6. The sealing lips 17 form the uppermost termination of the complementary locking profiles 5. At the lateral tip of the complementary locking profiles 5, it can be seen that one of the sealing lips 17 of the complementary locking profiles 5 has a rounded end edge 18 at its outermost end.The complementary, further end edge 18 of the other, complementary locking profile 5, in contrast, shows a pointed end edge 18. This shape of the end edges 18 of the complementary locking profiles 5 can facilitate the handling of the child-resistant closure bag 1.

[0029] The Figure 5Figure 1 schematically shows the structure of the sliding element 6 in a frontal view. The sliding element 6 has a sliding element top 7 and a sliding element bottom 12. The lever element, which mechanically acts on the contact element 13 (not shown), is attached to the sliding element top 7. Side elements 9 extend along the sides of the sliding element 6, encompassing the complementary locking profiles 5 laterally and, together with the sliding element top 7, from above. As can be seen in this figure, the side elements 9 are of different lengths. This can facilitate the assembly of the complementary locking profiles 5 and improve the handling of the sliding element 6.

[0030] The Figure 6Figure 14 schematically shows the structure of the sliding element 6 from below. The contact element 13 is visible in this figure. When the lever element 8 (not shown) is actuated, it engages within the recess 11 in the complementary locking profiles 5, thus opening the bag 2 at the closable side 3. Preferably, the contact element 13 is designed in the form of an isosceles triangle. The function of the contact element 13 can be further improved by providing it with a recess 14. In this figure, this recess 14 is shown as a cylindrical recess extending centrally within the isosceles triangle. Reference symbol list

[0031] 1 Child-resistant closure bag 2 Bag 3 Sealable bag side 4 Bag edge 5 Locking profile 6 Sliding element 7 Sliding element - top 8 Lever element 9 Side element 11 Recess 12 Sliding element - bottom 13 Contact element 14 Cutout 15 T-shaped engagement element 16 Receptacle 17 Sealing lip 18 End edge

Claims

1. Child-resistant closure bag (1) comprising a bag (2) having at least one reversibly sealable bag side (3), two bag edges (4) with complementary locking profiles (5), and a cuboid sliding element (6) that can be placed on the bag edge (4), with a rectangular sliding element top (7), a lever element (8), and side elements (9) extending from two longitudinal sides of the sliding element top (7) towards the bag (2). characterized by the fact thata) the reversibly sealable bag edge (4) has a recess (11), wherein the area of ​​the recess (11) has a depth at least equal to both bag edges (4) with the complementary locking profiles (5) and a length at least 10% of the longest axial extent of the sliding element top (7); and b) the sliding element (6) has two side elements (9) of different lengths by at least 10% in the direction from the sliding element top (7) towards a sliding element bottom (12) and a triangular contact element (13) arranged inside the cuboid sliding element (6) and mechanically connected to the lever element (8), wherein the triangular contact element (13) is designed to engage with the complementary locking profiles (5).

2. Child-resistant closure bag according to claim 1, wherein the side elements (9) of different lengths differ from each other by at least 15%.

3. Child-resistant closure bag according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the triangular contact element (13) is an isosceles triangular contact element (13).

4. Child-resistant closure bag according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the triangular contact element (13) has a recess (14), wherein the recess (14) extends at least to a side surface of the triangular contact element.

5. Child-resistant closure bag according to claim 4, wherein the recess (14) in the triangular contact element has a cylindrical symmetry and is arranged centrally in the triangular contact element (13).

6. Child-resistant closure bag according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the locking profiles (5) has a T-shaped engagement element (15), wherein the top of the T of the T-shaped engagement element (15) runs parallel to the bag wall.

7. Child-resistant closure bag according to claim 6, wherein the locking profile (5), which does not include the T-shaped engagement element (15), has a receptacle (16) for the T-shaped engagement element (15), wherein the receptacle (16) for the T-shaped engagement element (15) does not receive the T-shaped engagement element (15) symmetrically, wherein the contact area of ​​the receptacle (16) with the T-shaped engagement element (15) is smaller in the upper region, towards the bag edge (4), compared to the lower region, further away from the bag edge (4).

8. Child-resistant closure bag according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (11) in the reversibly sealable bag edge (3) has a trapezoidal symmetry.

9. Child-resistant closure bag according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever element (8) is arranged on the upper side (7) of the sliding element.

10. Child-resistant closure bag according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the complementary locking profiles (5) on the upper side in the direction of the bag edge (4) each have a sealing lip (17), wherein one of the sealing lips (17) has a round end edge (18) and the other sealing lip (17) has a wedge-shaped end edge (18).

Images