Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Lars G Wihlborg

Eric Paul Plourde

David J Anzini

Glyn Russell

David J Matthews

Charles Greco

Jose Manuel Septien Rojas

Steven Ausnit

Robert G Kobetsky

Rusty Koenigkramer

Per Bentsen

Jeffry Mauro

Jose Septien

Marion Johnson

Christine N Shimel

Paul Michael Jenkins

Clifton Ronald Howell

Kevin P Olechowski

Clifton R Howell

Michael J Lasofsky

Brian Ehrhardt

David Pritchard

Marco Aguilar

Francis Olajide, Jr

Robert J Coulton

David Galley

Komal Singh

Francis Olajide

Kenny Mccracker

Charles G Greco

David Keith

Kenny E Mccracken

A biodegradable (repulpable, compostable and/or water soluble) zipper is provided for attachment to a biodegradable flexible package. The biodegradable zipper is formed using a water-soluble polymer that can be combined with a repulpable and/or compostable material, such as a plant-based cellulose material. The biodegradable zipper enables the biodegradable package to be opened and closed by the consumer, so that the consumer has the option to determine, change or manipulate the contents of the biodegradable flexible package.

Biodegradable zipper for zip packaging

A reclosable enclosure includes a body having a front panel and a back panel secured to each other and forming a cavity therebetween to store contents. The body includes a flap that extends from a top end of the body. The reclosable enclosure includes a zipper assembly coupled to an interior surface of at least the front panel. The zipper assembly includes a first profile strip and a second profile strip that form a reclosable zipper to selectively close the cavity. The flap blocks access to the reclosable zipper and is sealed to at least one of the front panel or the second profile strip in an intact state of the flap. The flap defines one or more lines of weakness to permit irreparable separation of a sub-flap from a remainder of the flap to access the reclosable zipper.

Flexible reclosable enclosure with flap

A zipper for a reclosable bag includes a first interlocking element, and a second interlocking element. The first interlocking element and the second interlocking element are configured to cooperate to selectively open and close the zipper. One or both of the first interlocking element and the second interlocking element are formed of at least 85% repulpable material.

Reclosable bag having a repulpable zipper

Enclosure assembly includes an outer box enclosure and a flexible, resealable enclosure that is disposed within the outer box enclosure. The resealable enclosure has a resealer formed by a single intermeshable closure member that is affixed to and wraps from a front side of the outer box enclosure, around at least one of side edge of the outer box enclosure, and onto a back side of the resealable enclosure. Prior to initially opening the resealable enclosure, the intermeshable closure member is uncoupled with itself. The intermeshable closure member is configured to couple with itself at a first area of the intermeshable closure member that is on the front side of the resealable enclosure and at a different, second area of the intermeshable closure member that is on the back side of the resealable enclosure to close the resealable enclosure.

Enclosure assembly having a resealable enclosure within an outer box enclosure

A repulpable zipper is provided for attachment to a repulpable flexible package. The repulpable zipper is formed using a water-soluble polymer combined with a repulpable material, such as a plant-based cellulose material. The repulpable zipper enables the repulpable package to be opened and closed by the consumer, so that the consumer has the option to determine, change or manipulate the contents of the repulpable flexible package.

Repulpable zipper for zip packaging

A hinged zipper assembly includes first and second zipper members each having a facing side, an opposite side, an upper edge, and an opposite lower edge. Each of the zipper members has a profile protrusion that extends from the facing sides and are located between the upper and lower edges. The profile protrusions mesh with each other to interlock with each other. A living hinge is formed in the first zipper member and/or the second zipper member between the lower edge and the profile protrusion. The zipper members are formed with flanges that extend from the lower edges. The flanges are configured to be affixed to panels of an enclosure that is closed by meshing of the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members with each other.

Hinged zipper assembly of a resealable enclosure

A resealable bag enclosure may be provided that includes a film having an opposing first side and second side coupled with each other, and a resealable zipper assembly coupled with the first side and the second side of the film. The first side and the second side of the film together may form a pattern at an opening stop location disposed between the first and second edges of the film and adjacent to an end of the zipper assembly. The pattern of the first side and the second side of the film may also resist opening of the resealable bag enclosure beyond the end of the zipper assembly when the first side and the second side of the film are pulled apart to prevent the peel seal from extending beyond the pattern.

Resealable bag enclosure

Child-deterrent packaging includes an enclosure having opposing first and second sidewalls coupled with each other. The child-deterrent packaging also includes a zipper assembly coupled with the first and second sidewalls of the enclosure. The zipper assembly includes first and second zipper portions that mate with each other to enclose product that release from each other to provide access to the product. The child-deterrent packaging also includes a peel seal providing a barrier to ingress of one or more of oxygen or moisture. The peel seal is one or more of: disposed between and coupling the first and second zipper portions with each other, disposed between and coupling an entry section of the first sidewall with the first zipper portion of the zipper assembly, or disposed between and coupling the entry section of the first sidewall with another portion of the first sidewall.

Child-deterrent packaging having a barrier to protect contents from surrounding environment

This disclosure pertains to a child deterrent closure with multiple interlocking elements on each zipper profile. The lower interlocking element of one of the profiles includes an interior flange which is unsealed thereby causing opening forces on that profile to be directed to a lower seal rather than to the lower interlocked elements. The interior flange must be moved to expose the lower interlocked elements and to direct opening forces to the lower interlocked elements.

Zipper child deterrent closure with three web/flange design

The present disclosure relates to plastic or polymeric container with reclosable zippers which make the package child-resistant. In one typical embodiment, this is achieved by a zipper with a high internal opening force and a low external opening force, wherein three flanges are sealed to the bag walls, and one external flange is left unsealed. In order to encounter the low external opening force, the user must grab the unsealed external flange while applying an external opening force to the zipper.

Child-resistant reclosable bags

The disclosure pertains to various embodiments of zippers with a tear flange for use in a reclosable flexible package or bag. A line of weakness can be introduced into the tear flange by application of a peel seal polymer resin or of a foaming agent. The disclosure includes further embodiments wherein lines of weakness are introduced into the flange of zippers in reclosable packages or bags.

Tear strip creation on zipper flanges

The method and apparatus relates to providing a slit, perforation, line of weakness or similar structure in a flange of a zipper for a reclosable package or bag, including a high-capacity zipper. The slit, perforation, line of weakness or similar structure provides an opening for filling the reclosable package or bag without the need to separate the zipper profiles from each other. After filling, the opening is sealed and the cosmetic appearance of the reclosable package or bag is maintained.

Fill behind zipper and fill through the flange zipper

A bulk material product bag has an adhesive closure strip fixedly secured thereon. As a result of the adhesive closure strip being oriented transversely across the normally open end region of the bulk material product bag so as to be adhesively bonded to both the back and front sides of the bulk material product bag, the adhesive closure strip effectively closes and seals the open end region of the bulk material product bag. Handle structure can also be integrally incorporated within the adhesive closure strip.

Adhesive closure strip for bulk material product bag

The disclosure pertains to a sleeve cover for a slider clip which is used for such applications as high pressure pasteurization wherein high pressure is applied to a reclosable bag, including a zipper and slider, which typically includes foodstuffs such as meat products. The sleeve cover is molded, glued or otherwise attached, to the slider to prevent the film of the bag from pressing against and entering the interstices between the slider and the zipper profile and subsequently deforming, pinching or rupturing.

Growing community of inventors

Carol Stream, IL, United States of America

Lars G Wihlborg