Abstract:
A reclosable bag is provided that includes a reclosable mouth with a zipper and a slider device. The reclosable bag also includes a shield that covers the zipper such that when product is dispensed into the bag interior, the shield protects the zipper and prevents contact between the product and the zipper. In preferred arrangements, the shield includes an area of weakness to permit easy removal of the shield from the bag. Preferably, the shield is shaped to function as a funnel to help direct product into the bag interior, when filling. Preferred methods of using and constructing bags will utilize constructions as described herein.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure concerns bags, methods of using bags (including filling), and methods of constructing bags. In particular, this disclosure concerns bag constructions and methods including zippers and zipper-protective covers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Flexible packages, in particular resealable and reclosable packages, are frequently used for packaging of consumable goods. Goods that are not used completely when the package is initially opened rely on a zipper closure to reclose the package and keep the remaining contents fresh. Examples of consumable goods that are often packaged in packages, such as bags, with a zipper closure include potting soil, fertilizer, pet food, dog biscuits, vegetables, cereal, and many different foods edible by humans. Often, the opening and closing of the zipper closure is facilitated by a slider device that is mounted on the zipper closure. The slider device is constructed to pry apart the interlocking zipper closure members when the slider device is moved in a first direction along the zipper, and to engage the interlocking zipper closure members when the slider device is moved in a second, opposite direction along the zipper. For some applications, a tamper-evident structure, to notify whether access has been gained to the zipper closure, is desired. Improvements in these types of packages are desirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A reclosable bag is provided that includes a reclosable mouth with a zipper and a slider device. The reclosable bag also includes a shield that covers the zipper such that when product is dispensed into the bag interior, the shield protects the zipper and prevents contact between the product and the zipper. In preferred arrangements, the shield includes an area of weakness to permit easy removal of the shield from the bag. 
     Preferably, the shield is shaped to function as a funnel to help direct product into the bag interior, when filling. 
     Preferred methods of using and constructing bags will utilize constructions as described herein. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of one embodiment of a bag, constructed according to principles of this disclosure; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevational view of the bag of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bag of FIGS. 1 and 2, and taken along the line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged, schematic, fragmented cross-sectional view of the zipper construction and protective shield utilized in the bag of FIGS. 1-3; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged, schematic, fragmented cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the zipper construction and protective shield utilized in the bag of FIGS. 1-3; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged, schematic, fragmented cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the zipper construction and protective shield utilized in the bag of FIGS. 1-3; 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic, perspective view of the bag of FIGS. 1-5 during a fill operation; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic, perspective view of the bag of FIGS. 1-5 and  7  after filling and with the protective shield sealed closed; 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic, side-elevational view of the bag of FIG. 8 showing the protective shield being removed from the bag; 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic, side-elevational view of the bag of FIGS. 8 and 9, with the shield removed, and the zipper closed; and 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the bag of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A flexible, reclosable bag or package is shown generally in the FIGS. at  20 . Bag  20  has a surrounding wall  21  defining an interior  22 . In the depicted embodiment, surrounding wall  21  comprises first and second polymeric film side panels  24  and  26 , which surround and define interior  22 . Bag  20  includes three edges, side edges  27 ,  28 , and product supporting bottom  29 , to form interior  22  of package  20 . 
     In FIG. 1, first side edge  27  and second side edge  28  are seals created by the application of heat and pressure to side panels  24 ,  26 . Bottom edge  29  is a fold line between side panels  24 ,  26 , which is formed when a single sheet of film is folded to form the two side panels  24 ,  26 . In another embodiment, first and second panel sections  24 ,  26  are folded at side edges  27 ,  28  and heat-sealed at bottom edge  29 ; typically, such a package includes a fin seal (not shown) within one of panel sections  24 ,  26 . In yet another embodiment, the panel sections  24 ,  26  are folded at one side edge, for example, first side edge  27 , and heat-sealed at second side edge  28  and at bottom edge  29 . Alternatively, two separate panel sections  24 ,  26  of plastic film may be used and heat-sealed together along both side edges  27 ,  28  and at the bottom edge  29 . 
     A zipper closure arrangement  30  having mating closure profiles to open and close (unseal and reseal) the first and second side panels  24 ,  26  of package  20  extends at least partially between side edge  27  and side edge  28  at mouth  31 . In FIG. 1, mouth  31  is disposed between side panels  24 ,  26  and provides access to the interior  22 . 
     The zipper closure  30  can include a variety of configurations and structures. In FIG. 2, zipper closure  30  has a first closure profile  32  and a second closure profile  34 ; first and second closure profiles  32 ,  34  are releasably interlocking. Zipper closure  30  can be configured in many ways, for example, preferably such as disclosed in WO 00/28851 published May 25, 2000, or alternatively as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,340,341; 4,346,288; and 4,437,293; each of which is incorporated by reference herein. First closure profile  32  and second closure profile  34  engage and disengage, as appropriate, to open and close package  20  and provide access to interior  22 . 
     A slider device  40  is mounted on zipper closure  30  to facilitate opening and closing of the mouth  31  by opening and closing the zipper closure  30 ; in particular, slider device  40  engages and disengages (interlocks and releases) first and second closure profiles  32 ,  34 . A preferred slider device is taught in WO 00/28851 published May 25, 2000, and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 434,345 issued Nov. 28, 2000, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. A notch  36  is disposed within zipper closure  30 . Notch  36  is designed to provide a “park place” into which slider device  40  settles when zipper closure  30  is sealed. The notch  36  decreases any tendency for an incomplete interlock between first closure profile  32  and second closure profile  34 , when the slider is positioned therein. 
     The bag  20  also includes a zipper profile shield  50 . In preferred embodiments, the shield  50  protects or shields the zipper profiles  32 ,  34  from being contaminated with product  52  (FIG. 7) when the bag interior  22  is filled with the product  52 . The shield  50  also acts as a funnel  51 , as can be seen best in FIG. 7, to direct the product  52  past the zipper construction  30  and the zipper profiles  32 ,  34  when the bag  20  is being filled. 
     In the particular one illustrated in the drawings, the shield  50  extends from the surrounding wall  21  inside of the outer enclosure and includes a partition  54 . The partition  54  defines a free end  56  having a through hole or aperture  58  to permit the filling of the product  52  into the interior  22 . As can be seen in FIGS. 1-8, the free end  56  extends outside of the outer enclosure of the surrounding wall  21 . 
     As mentioned above, the shield  50  also acts as funnel  51 . It can be appreciated that the funnel  51  is likewise secured to the surrounding wall  21  inside of the outer enclosure. The funnel  51  includes a filling end  57  and a funnel wall  55 . The filling end  57  is analogous to the free end  56 , while the funnel wall  55  is analogous to the partition  54 . 
     The shield  50 /funnel  51  is constructed and arranged to be removable from a remaining portion of the bag  20 . Generally speaking, it will be desirable to remove the shield  50 /funnel  51  after product  52  has been placed in the bag  20  and sealed within. In order to access the product  52  in the bag interior  22 , the shield  50 /funnel  51  will be removed from the bag  20  and it will permit access to the interior  22  and product  52 . See FIG.  9 . 
     In preferred embodiments, the shield  50 /funnel  51  is removable from the bag  20  by way of an area of weakness  62  in the partition  54 /funnel wall  55 . The area of weakness  62  preferably comprises a tear line  64  that permits removal of the partition  54 /funnel wall  55  easily therealong from the remaining portion of the bag  20 . The tear line  64  can be a perforation line, a die line, and other types of areas of weakness to permit easy separation. 
     Preferably, the partition  54 /funnel wall  55  is a plastic film  66 , usually made from the same material as the panel sections  24 ,  26 . The film  66  is securable to the bag  20  in a variety of fashions. In particular, attention is now directed to FIGS. 4-6, where three such examples are illustrated in schematic cross-section. In FIG. 4, the film  66  is integral with, and is merely an extension of, the first and second profiles  32 ,  34 . In particular, each of the first and second profiles  32 ,  34  includes a mounting flange  68 ,  70  that extends from the interlocking profile members  72 ,  74  and toward the bag interior  22 . As can be seen in FIG. 4, the film  66  is a continuous extension (typically an extrusion) from the mounting flanges  68 ,  70 . This assembly of the zipper profiles  32 ,  34  with the integral film  66  is attached, typically by heat sealing, to the surrounding wall  21 , illustrated as the first and second panel sections  24 ,  26 . Thus, hermetic seals  76 ,  78  are formed between the mounting flanges  68 ,  70  and the panel sections  24 ,  26 . As can be seen in FIG. 4, the film  66  is attached at the seals  76 ,  78  in the bag interior  22  and forms a bight section  80 ,  81  adjacent to the seals  76 ,  78 . The film  66  then extends from the bight section  80 ,  81  past and over, in covering relation to, the zipper profiles  32 ,  34  to extend outside of the bag interior  22 , terminating at the free end  56 . 
     In FIG. 5, the film  66 ′ is formed as an integral extension of, typically extrusion of, the surrounding wall  21 , in particular, the first and second panel sections  24 ′,  26 ′ In this embodiment, the first and second profiles  32 ′,  34 ′ are secured to the panel sections  24 ′,  26 ′ at hermetic seals  76  ,  78 ′. Adjacent to the seals  76 ′,  78 ′, the film  66 ′ is spaced apart from to define a distance between the film  66 ′ and each of the profiles  32 ′,  34 ′. Note that the film  66 ′ extends over in covering relation to the profile members  72 ′,  74 ′ Note that the film  66 ′ terminates at free end  56 ′ outside of the bag interior. The tear line  64 ′ is depicted as being oriented between the interlocking zipper profiles  32 ′,  34 ′ and a bottom of the bag. The tear line  64 ′ is also located between the seals  76 ′,  78 ′ and the profile members  72 ′,  74 ′. 
     In FIG. 6, another way of securing the film  66 ″ to the remainder of the bag is shown. In FIG. 6, the film  66 ″ is a separate piece of film that is mechanically attached, such as by hermetic heat seals  76 ″,  78 ″ to the bag. In the particular way shown in FIG. 6, the film  66 ″ is secured to the inner surface of the panel sections  24 ″,  36 ″. The first and second profiles  32 ″,  34 ″ are secured to the exterior of the panel sections  24 ″,  26 ″ with hermetic seals. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the film  66 ″ extends from the seals  76 ″,  78 ″ down to a bight section  80 ″,  81 ″ and then after turning the bend formed by the bight sections  80 ″,  81 ″, extends past and over to cover and protect the profile members  72 ″,  74 ″. The film  66 ″ terminates outside of the bag at free end  56 ″. The tear line  64 ″ is again positioned within the bag interior  22 ″ and on the product side of the zipper profiles  72 ″,  74 ″. 
     In another embodiment, the bag walls can have the zipper profiles as a continuous, integral part thereof, with the film forming the shield  50 /funnel  51  heat sealed thereto. 
     Use of the bag  20  may now be appreciated by reviewing FIGS. 7-10. FIG. 7 illustrates the bag  20  in a filling position, with a filling dispenser or hopper  85  filling the product  52  through the funnel  51 . As can be seen, the product  52  is flowing through the filling end  57  (the aperture  58  of the partition  54 ). In some instances, the product  52  will be a particulate product that could normally clog or jam into the zipper profiles  32 ,  34 . As the product  52  is flowing into the bag  20 , it is being directed into the interior  22  past the zipper profiles  32 ,  34 . The partition  54  funnel wall  55  is between the product  52  and the profiles  32 ,  34  to prevent product  52  from contacting the profiles  32 ,  34 . 
     After the step of filling the bag  20 , a hermetic seal  88  is formed to close the aperture  58  of the filling end  57 . This is illustrated in FIG.  8 . This also results in a tamper-evident package. In other words, the user will be able to tell whether the package  20  has previously been opened. 
     In FIG. 9, a user&#39;s hand  90  is shown removing the shield  50 /funnel  51  from the remainder of the bag  20  by grasping the partition  54 /wall  55  and pulling it relative to the remainder of the bag  20 . The partition  54 /wall  55  will separate along the tear line  64  to leave a wall fragment  92 . This results in the interior  22  being accessible to the user. 
     After the shield  50 /funnel  51  is removed from the bag  20 , the user may open and close the mouth  31  by operating the slider device  40  and moving it relative to the zipper construction  30 . In this manner, the user may be able to selectively seal and unseal the bag  20  by operation of the slider device  40 . 
     FIG. 10 illustrates the bag  20 , after the shield  50 /funnel  51  has been removed and the slider device  40  has been moved relative to the zipper construction  30  to close the mouth  31 . The slider device  40 , in FIG. 10, is positioned in the notch  36 . 
     FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the bag  120 . The view in FIG. 11 is analogous to the view of FIG.  2 . The bag  120  includes opposing panel sections  124  (the other not shown, but analogous to panel section  26 , FIGS. 1,  3  and  10 ); side edges  127 ,  128 ; bottom portion  129 ; a zipper construction  130 ; slider device  140 ; and a shield  150 /funnel  151 . The shield  150 /funnel  151  includes a partition  154 /funnel wall  155 . Each of these features functions analogously to the embodiment described above. 
     In this embodiment, the shield  150 /funnel  151  has a rectangular shape instead of the trapezoidal shape illustrated in FIG.  2 . This rectangular shape may be more attractive to the consumer, and it may be used as a product header, labeled with desired advertising or other media. Of course, the trapezoidal shape of FIG. 2 can also be used as a product header and be labeled with labels, advertising, media, trademarks, etc. 
     The partition  154 /funnel wall  155  includes a pair of tear notches  196 ,  198  to assist the user in starting the tear to remove the shield  150 /funnel  151  along the tear line  164  from the remainder of the package. 
     The bag  120  is used the same way as described for the embodiments of FIGS. 1-10.