Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Robert E Hogan

Eric Paul Plourde

Kenny E McCracken

Steven Ausnit

Stephen P Belko

Neil J Kozarsky

John A Caporaso

Frank J Kelly

Lawrence Share

Rusty Koenigkramer

Basil Carl Linton

Gregory H Crunkleton

Eric Joseph Fenzl

Michael J McMahon

John H Schneider

David J Anzini

Donald L Crevier

Ronald Cortigiano, Sr

Clifton Ronald Howell

David C Wallace

Robert C Stolmeier

Richmond M Scott

Kevin Owen

Ronald L Ramsey

Arthur J Malin

Charles Shultz

Michael Mcmahon

Various embodiments of the container of the type with a semi-rigid or rigid container portion and reclosable header are provided.

Enhancement for package with plastic header

The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a package with a rigid or semi-rigid container and a polymeric or plastic header with a reclosure, such as a zipper. The rigid or semi-rigid container is typically provided in a stack of flat containers. The header is sealed, glued or otherwise secured to the containers. The container, typically inverted, is filled, and the bottom is formed by folding and sealing the bottom portion of the container.

Carton with plastic reclosable header

Carton with reclosable header with gusset

Carton with reclosable header with side entry

A reclosable zipper is disclosed which includes a first profile containing a first interlocking element and a first product side flange. A second profile is provided which contains a second product side flange and a second interlocking element for reclosably interlocking with the first interlocking element. A sachet is provided on a flange either on the product or consumer side or extending between the first and second flanges.

Zipper with sachet

The present disclosure relates to the implanting of RFID (radio frequency identification) chips into the slider of a zipper of a reclosable package. This allows for subsequent reading of the RFID identifying data to identify associated with the reclosable package. This can be done by using the RFID data directly or by using the RFID data to access a database This can be done for authentication, security, quality control, inventory control and similar purposes.

RFID methods in the manufacture of reclosable packages

A method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) guiding a web material in a machine direction through a vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) machine with a portion of the web material being wrapped around a tube; (b) joining first and second portions of a closure tape to first and second fin portions of the web material that do not form part of the portion of the web material that is wrapped around the tube, the closure tape being rupturable and not reclosable; (c) cross sealing the web material at a location downstream from the tube; and (d) dropping product through the tube and onto the most recently formed cross seal.

Method of manufacturing packages incorporating easy-open strips

A reclosable package or bag having a slider-operated string zipper. The respective parts of the string zipper comprise a respective base strip and a respective set of profiled closure elements projecting from a front side of the base strip. The upper margins of the respective bag walls are joined to the backs of the respective base strips. The slider rides on the string zipper with the upper margins of the bag film being disposed between the zipper and the slider.

Reclosable packaging having slider-operated string zipper

Methods and apparatus for low-cost manufacture of reclosable packages having slider-operated zippers. One method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) joining film material to a back side of a first flangeless zipper strip having a first closure profile on its front side; (b) joining film material to a back side of a second flangeless zipper strip having a second closure profile on its front side, the first and second closure profiles of the first and second zipper strips being interlockable to form a string zipper assembly; and (c) loading a slider comprising a plow onto an open section of the string zipper assembly with the plow being inserted between the first and second flangeless zipper strips. Respective portions of the first and second portions of film are respectively disposed between the slider and the string zipper assembly when the slider is loaded. This method further comprises the step of trimming a marginal portion of the film material that extends beyond the portion of film material joined to the back side of either of the first flangeless zipper strip.

Method and apparatus for inserting sliders during automated manufacture of reclosable bags

A gusseted bag has front and rear walls interconnected by a pair of side gussets and a slider-operated zipper. The zipper comprises a pair of profiled closure members that are engaged and disengaged by operation of the slider. No part of the side gussets is captured between the profiled closure members when the latter are interlocked. In one embodiment, the zipper extends beyond the front and rear walls on both sides thereof. In a fully closed position of the slider, at least part of the slider extending beyond one side of the front and rear walls. A sufficient portion of the slider extends beyond one side of the front and rear walls so that the first and second profiled closure members are interlocked across the entire width of the front and rear walls.

Gusseted reclosable package with slider-operated zipper

A reclosable package has a first wall and a second wall opposite to the front wall A first zipper profile including a first interlocking member is attached to the first wall and a second profile having a second interlocking member, engageable with the first interlocking member, is attached to the second wall. A slider is positioned on the profiles for movement along the profiles from side to side of the package. Package material is provided which must be removed or ruptured to permit operation of the slider or to provide access to the package contents. In either event, the steps needed to permit the initial access to the package contents leave clear evidence for a consumer that the package has been opened.

Tamper evident resealable packaging

A reclosable package for a consumer product includes a zipper strip having male and female interlocking profiles. The former has a male interlocking member having a cross section in the shape of an asymmetric arrowhead. The latter has a female interlocking member in the form of two mutually curving members defining a channel therebetween. The male interlocking member is snappingly engaged into the channel to reclose the package. The asymmetric male interlocking member has an acute edge outward of the interior of the package, and a rounded edge facing the inside of the package. This asymmetry makes the package easier to open from within than from without.

Pinch-grip zipper

Growing community of inventors

Burr Ridge, IL, United States of America

Robert E Hogan