Abstract:
A package closure and labeling construction comprises a molded plastic closure or band for fitting about gathered packaging material with an auxiliary channel formed on the band for receipt of a separate label that may be imprinted with product information unique to the package and attached to the band.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a molded plastic package closure and labeling construction that may be wrapped about gathered packaging material to retain the material in a closed condition and provide labeling information relating to the package contents. 
     Many products, and in particular food products, are packaged in flexible bags or containers. These containers are accessible through the open top of the flexible bag. The bag, however, is typically maintained at the relevant retail outlet in a closed condition by means of a twist tie or other closure device, such as a band, or in some instances, a plastic locking tag. Such means for closure and sealing of a package are convenient and useful. Thus, over the years, various types of bag closure mechanisms have been disclosed, including the devices such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 712,765; U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,391; U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,702; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,370,778. However, such closure devices often do not include a means for individually labeling each and every container with information relating to the contents of the container or bag. 
     Despite the various options for bag closure constructions and ties, as they are sometimes referred to, there remains the need for a simple, yet effective closure construction which enables ease of attachment to gathered packaging material, tight retention of the material in a gathered position, and a means for providing unique labeling associated with the contents of the packaging. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, the present invention comprises a package closure and labeling construction which is comprised of an elongate band with a first or lead end designed to fit through a channel formed at the second or gripping end of the elongate band or closure. The lead end and the gripping end each include gripping teeth or edges which will mate or engage one with the other to provide for adjustable placement of the band or closure about gathered packaging material. Further, the band includes an outside face with an auxiliary or supplemental channel formed thereon for receipt of a separate, second band or tag which may be inserted into the second channel to be retained thereby. In this manner, the second band may include information unique to the package associated with the closure construction placed on the second band or tag to then be associated with the closed package by insertion or placement into the second channel. Further, the elements of the construction may be manufactured from a molded plastic. 
     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved package closure construction comprised of a generally elongate band wherein the opposite ends of the band may be joined together and wherein the band includes an auxiliary mounting channel or element for receipt and retention of a second information tag associated with the package. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a closure construction which effectively seals and closes gathered packaging material. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a closure construction which is capable of incorporating indicia, labeling or other identifying information on a separable label information tag or section. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a label section for a package closure construction wherein the label section is capable of independently being labeled with information thereon unique to the package to which it is to be attached. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive yet easily usable and highly effective label and closure construction. 
     These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       In the detailed description which follows reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the improved package closure and labeling construction in combination with gathered packaging material prior to closure of the elongate strip or band, comprising an element of the construction, about the gathered packaging material; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view wherein the closure and label construction of  FIG. 1  has been placed about gathered packaging material and tightened about that material to retain the contents of a container or package and further depicting an information tag which is associated with the closed or sealed package; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the assembled package closure and label construction; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross sectional view depicting the construction with the lead end and the gripping end of the band element of the closure construction positioned for engagement and further depicting the auxiliary or second channel molded on the top of the band element; and 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross sectional view depicting the assembly of FIG.  3  and the manner in which the various component elements thereof comprising the package closure and label construction join together. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the figures, the package label and closure construction is comprised of an elongate molded plastic band  12  having a lead end  14  with an outside surface  16  and an inside face or surface  18 . The opposite end of the elongate band  12  comprises a gripping end  20  which is configured and shaped to engage and cooperate with the lead end  14 . The gripping end  20  includes a first or gripping end molded throughpassage or channel  22  integrally molded onto the gripping end  20 . Further, the gripping end  20  includes a second molded gripping channel  24  mounted on top of and molded on top of the first channel  22 . The assembly further includes an auxiliary or information tag  26  which is an elongate tag having an outside or distal end  28  and an inner lead end  30 . 
     Referring first to the construction of the lead end  14  of the elongate band  12 , the outside face  16  is generally a smooth face whereas the inside face includes molded gripping teeth or ridges  32 . The teeth  32 , in the preferred embodiment, extend transverse to a longitudinal axis  11  of the elongate band  12 . The lead end  14  includes a tapered land  34  to facilitate insertion of the lead end  14  into opening  36  molded in the first molded channel  22 . The gripping end  20  thus includes the through channel  22  with an upwardly projecting rib member  38  molded therein as depicted in FIG.  4 . In this manner, the lead end  14  of the elongate band may be inserted through the channel  20  so that the teeth  32  may engage with and lock against the upwardly projecting transverse rib member or tooth  38  within the channel  20  as depicted, for example, in FIG.  5 . Because there are a multiplicity of teeth  32  which may engage rib member  38 , the band  12  may be tightly engaged about packaging material  40  as depicted, for example, in FIG.  2 . 
     The channel  20  includes an upper wall or top wall  42  having a second molded through channel  24 . The second molded channel  24  is a through channel much like the first molded channel  20 . The second molded channel  24  further includes an upwardly projecting biasing tooth or rib  46 . 
     The second separate label or information band or tag  26  includes the lead end  30 , an upper or top surface  50 , a lower or under surface  52  and a rib or projection  28  at the opposite ends. Molded integrally on the bottom or under surface  52  are a series of molded teeth  58  which are adapted to cooperate with the projecting rib or tooth  46  or the second channel  24  as depicted, for example, in FIG.  5 . The top surface  50  of the information tag  26  includes a generally planar display area  60  which has imprinted thereon information relating to the material within the gathered packaging  40 . Thus, for example, the weight, price and identification of the goods within the packaging material or container  40  may be imprinted on the display area  60  of the band  26 . Display area  60  may also include a sensor, such as a temperature sensitive strip  61  or bacteria sensitive strip. The band  26  may then be inserted through the second channel  24  in the manner depicted in FIG.  5 . Thus, a display unique to the packaged item in the packaging material  40  is provided. 
     It is possible to vary the construction of the device depicted in numerous ways. For example, the second channel  24  is shown as being mounted upon the first channel  20 . It may be positioned at a different region on the outside surface of the band  12  though the preference is as described. Further, the information tag or band  26  is depicted as having the teeth  58  for engagement with the projecting rib  46  and an upwardly projecting rib or stop member  28  so that the information tag  26  will be tightly held in position thereby preventing tampering. The position of the teeth  58  and the band  28 , however, may be adjusted for retention of the band  26  at different positions along the elongate length of the band. For example, the leading end  30  of the band may include teeth on the underside or the rib on the topside. A display area would then be available on the remaining portion of the information tag  26 . In this circumstance, the information tag  26  could have a width that is greater than the width of the channel  24  and thus a display area that is much larger than the display area associated with the width of the information band  26  section that passes through the channel  24 . As a consequence, the auxilliary tag  26  can have many different shapes and configurations. It can also be made from many varied materials. Thus, though there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.