Recloseable package with protective patch

Abstract

According to the invention, a patch is provided to be attached to the outside of the wall of the bag over the profile strip fastener assembly that is attached to the front panel of the package. The patch is made from a gas barrier type of substrate as to prevent oxygen and other gases from entering or leaving the perforations within the opening feature used to access the fastener assembly. The side of the patch that is in contact with the front panel of the bag includes an adhesive for securement to the package. A variety of adhesives can be utilized for securement depending on the arrangement of the perforations. Printing can be included on the outside of the patch to highlight the reclosable feature of the package thereby eliminating the need to modify the original printing on the package.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Reclosable packaging is particularly well suited for packaging food products when it is desired to repeatedly remove relatively small quantities of the food product. Recent improvements in reclosable packaging have included configuring packages to have integral zipper-type fastener assemblies. In such arrangements, the package is typically opened by cutting or tearing a portion of the package to gain access to the fastener assembly, with opening and closing of the profile strips of the fastener assembly thereafter permitting the package to be selectively opened and closed.[0002]While packages having the integrated profile strip fastener assemblies are becoming common in the market place, such arrangements have typically required specialized packaging machinery for forming and filling of such packages.[0003]U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,845 discloses a reclosable package, and method of formation, which is specifically configured to facilitate use on conventiona...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]According to the invention, a patch is provided to be attached to the outside of the wall of the bag over the profile strip fastener assembly that is attached to the front panel of the package. The patch is made from a gas barrier type of substrate as to prevent oxygen and other gases from entering or leaving the perforations within the opening feature used to access the fastener assembly. The side of the patch that is in contact with the front panel of the bag includes an adhesive for securement to the package. A variety of adhesives can be utilized for securement depending on the arrangement of the perforations. Printing can be included on the outside of the patch to highlight the reclosable feature of the package thereby eliminating the need to modify the original printing on the package. The use of the patch not only solves the gas barrier problem that has plagued packages with front panel zipper arrangements, but also reduces the amount of time it takes to change an existing printed packaging over to new reclosable packaging graphics. The present invention is particularly well suited for packaging snack foods, such as, corn and potato chips which require gas barrier packaging. In addition the patch can be configured to eliminate tear propagation around the bag opening once the zipper has been accessed.

[0008]A package in the form of a reclosable bag embodying the principles of the present invention includes a profile strip fastener assembly which is joined to a front wall of a bag body. The profile strip fastener includes an openable mouth formed by interlocking profile strips, allowing access to the contents of the bag. The front wall includes a joint defined by a pattern of perforations, the joint in registry with the openable mouth of the profile strip fastener assembly and a protective patch covering the perforations. Notably, the protective patch, in addition to the closure formed by the interlocking profile strips of the assembly, enhances the sealing integrity of the fastener assembly during package formation, filling, and subsequent storage and use. Oxygen barrier packaging can be produced in accordance with the principles disclosed herein by the provision of protective patch and bag film materials exhibiting oxygen-barrier properties.

Problems solved by technology

The use of the patch not only solves the gas barrier problem that has plagued packages with front panel zipper arrangements, but also reduces the amount of time it takes to change an existing printed packaging over to new reclosable packaging graphics.

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