Improved seal system for block cheese

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a package (10) for a three dimensional block (11) wherein the package (10) is formed of flexible film doubled along one edge with end seals (13,14) joining the ends of the film and a reclosable zipper (15) along the other remaining edge with the zipper (15) being longer than the length (2-1) of the block and longer than the space (2-2) between the end seals (13,14) so that as the zipper (15) is opened, a mouth is formed sufficiently large to allow for insertion or removal of the block (11) through the mouth of the package (10).

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to improvements in packaging, and more particularly to a flexible film package for use for block form contents such as a block of cheese. More particularly, the invention pertains to a reopenable package which is particularly well suited for a foodstuff material such as meat or a block of cheese wherein the block can be removed from the package and reinserted with the package sealed by a zipper between usage to protect the contents from contamination and exposure to air. Block cheese and other food products with thick areas having a length, width and height cannot be packaged in zipper film packages without providing extra room in the package so that the block can be removed through the zipper opening. When extra room is provided in a package of ordinary construction, the additional film material necessary to afford space for the block to be removed and reinserted makes the package appear to be under filled. This, of course, is undesirable inasmuch as it creates a negative reaction from the customer. Further, with a conventional bag or package if the package must be made sufficiently large so that the block of foodstuffs can be removed and reinserted, the extra size uses an unnecessary amount of film which contributes to additional costs. The extra film that is provided makes the package appear baggy and unsightly, and when stacked or handled, the extra film material tends to pucker and wrinkle and the overall package is not as attractive as would be desirable. EP-A-0 388 884 discloses a package with contents in the form of a three dimensional block having a width, length and height comprising a flexible film wrap for forming a reclosable package for the block with the film having upper and lower layers, said layers being joined at three edges of the package, two edges extending across the width of the package at the ends and spaced apart a first sealed length slightly longer than the length of the block and a pressure reclosable rib and groove zipper extending along the other length of the package. US-A-4 589 145 discloses a method of packaging a block having width, length and height dimensions wherein an upper and a lower layer of flexible film are applied to upper and lower surfaces of a block, the upper and lower layers of the film are joined along three ends, the junctures being apart a length of the block along which is provided a reclosable rib and groove zipper. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved flexible film package with a reopenable zipper wherein the aforesaid disadvantages are avoided and an attractive package is achieved which utilizes a minimum amount of film. A further object of the invention is to provide a reopenable package such as for a block of cheese which is provided with a reclosable zipper and affords the unique advantage of having a large opening mouth for removal and reinsertion of the cheese block. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved zipper reclosable package for block form contents constructed to have a large opening mouth with the body of the package fitting relatively snugly to the block form contents. The basic features of the invention appears in the enclosed undependent package and method claims 1, 8. In accordance with the features of the invention, package construction is achieved which is particularly well suited for block form foodstuff such as a block of cheese and where the package can be formed by wrapping over the cheese during packaging at the location of the manufacturer. Also, the package can be preformed and the block of cheese inserted into the package at a later time. Whatever the form of use, the resultant package has an enlarged opening mouth so that the consumer can readily open the zipper opening of the package to remove the block of cheese and reinsert it and close the zipper and yet the package fits relatively closely around the block form shape so that almost a custom package fit is achieved. Other features, objects and advantages will become more apparent with the teaching of the principles of the invention in connection with the disclosure of the preferred embodiments thereof in the specification, claims and drawings, in which: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is perspective view of a package constructed and formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the package of Fig. 1; FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line III-III of Fig. 2; and FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially line IV-IV of Fig. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Fig. 1 illustrates a completed package 10 for containing contents in block form such as a block 11 of cheese. The package is formed of a flexible film having an upper layer 18 and a lower layer 19, Fig. 3. The layers may be formed over the block at the time of packaging which is a preferred arrangement, or may be preformed with the block inserted later. The block is three dimensional having a length shown as L-1 in Fig. 2, a width shown as W in Figs. 2 and 3 and a height H shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Because of the height H, if a typical envelope form package were used, the package would have to be made sufficiently large so that the block would be inserted into the opening or mouth of the envelope. The body of the envelope would then be as big as the mouth so that the envelope would appear oversized and gaps would appear around the contents making the envelope appear to be only partially filled. With the present package, a snug form fitting custom appearing package is achieved and yet the opening mouth is sufficient so that the contents can be readily withdrawn and reinserted. The flexible film package is wrapped over the block 11 with a back edge at 12 which may have a seam or which may be continuous so that the film is merely doubled to form an upper layer 18 and a lower layer 19 with the block therebetween. At the ends of the package, seams 13 and 14 are formed to draw the film relatively tightly over the block 11. These seams 13 and 14 extend the width of the film. The seams are separated from each other a distance L-2 as shown in Fig. 2 which is slightly greater than the length L-1 of the block. The seams can be readily formed by heat sealing, that is, applying a heated shoe on opposing sides of the film. The film usually is a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene so that the layers will be rapidly and readily joined with the application of a medium amount of heat. Along one edge of the package between the upper and lower layers is a pressure reclosable rib and groove element zipper 15, and it will be recognized by those versed in the art, that the zipper has a rib 15a which will lock into a groove 15b to close the package and protect the contents from contamination and exposure to air. Outwardly from the zipper elements are pull flanges 16 and 17 which can be pulled apart to open the package as shown by the dotted line positions of the flaps 16 and 17 in Fig. 3. In some instances it may be desirable to seal or join the outer distal edge of the flaps 16 and 17 to provide a tamperevident seal. The joined edges are cut off when the package is to be first used and the flanges to be pulled apart. A unique feature of the zipper is that its length L-3, as shown in Figs. 2, is longer than the distance L-2 between the end seams. With this structure when the zipper is pulled apart, the flexible material of the film provides a bag mouth 22, Fig. 3, sufficient so that the block of cheese easily slides out. Also, the block can easily be reinserted. The block will fit relatively snugly between the seams 13 and 14. To allow for a longer zipper, the side seams taper or narrow in the area of the zipper as shown at 23 and 24 in Fig. 2. The side seams extends past the end of the zipper but allow it to be longer than the length L-1 of the product and longer than the length of the package L-2 between the seams. At the ends of the zippers are spot seals 20 and 21 joining the layers of film. In a preferred arrangement, the end seams 13 and 14 are narrowed at their ends such as 23 and 24 on both ends of the package. However, in another form of construction, the end seam can be narrowed only at one end and run full width at the other end. In that structure, the zipper will extend longer only at the end where the end seam is narrowed. The requirements is that the zipper be sufficiently long so that there is adequate material in the layers of film to separate to form a wide package mouth. Thus, the package can have a neat tailored appearance such as illustrated in Fig. 1 with the end seams joining the layers right up to adjacent the block 11. The zipper 15 can be up fairly tight to the block so that the resultant package will give the appearance to the purchaser that is completely filled with the product. Yet, the purchaser will have the benefit of a reopenable package so that the contents can be partly used and again reinserted to be protected within the zipper closable package. If the content is a block of cheese, the user may choose to slice portions off of the long side, as indicated by the dimension L-1, and the mouth of the package will open sufficiently to insert the full dimension of the cheese block into the package mouth. The end seams are shown as being flat and of substantial width but narrower seams may be used. The arrangement permits using rectangular film material to provide an attractive square shaped package. The broad end seams also permit the provision of a hanging opening 22, Fig. 2, for supporting the package on a hook for store display. Thus, it will be seen that I have provided a flexible film package for block form foodstuffs which meets the objectives and advantages above set forth and provides for a reclosable package which is promotionally attractive in a store and which is functionally attractive as far as the purchaser is concerned.

Claims: A package for a three dimensional block (11) having a width (W), length (L1) and height (H) comprising in combination : a flexible film wrap for forming a reclosable package (10) for a block with the film having upper (18) and lower (19) layers, said layers joined at three edges of the package with two end seals (13, 14) extending along the width of the film at the ends of the package, said end seals being spaced apart a first length (L2); and a pressure reclosable rib and groove zipper (15) extending along a fourth edge of the package characterized in that at least one of said end seals (13, 14) tapers in the location of the zipper (15), spot seals (20, 21) are provided at the ends of the zipper (15), joining said end seals and said reclosable zipper (15) has a free length (L3) between said spot seals (20, 21) substantially longer than said first length (L2) so that when the zipper (15) is separated to form an opening mouth (22) for the package (10) the mouth (22) will open sufficiently to accomodate the length (L1) and height (H) of the block (11) for removal of the block or insertion into the package (10) through the mouth (22). A package according to claim 1 characterized in that the two end seals (13, 14) become narrow in the location of the zipper (15). A package according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the end seals (13, 14) extend across the full width of the film and across the ends of the zipper (15) wherein the end seals (13, 14) each become narrow in the location of the zipper (15) to accomodate the length (L3) of the zipper (15). A package according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the end seals (13, 14) extend fully to the edge of the film. A package according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the film is continuous and wrapped around the edge of the package (10) at the edge opposite the zipper (15). A package according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the film is provided with a seam at the edge (12) opposite the zipper (15). A package according to one of claims 1 to 6 comprising a three dimensional substantially rectangular block (11) having a width (W), height (H) and length (L1), wherein the end seals (13, 14) in the flexible film are immediately adjacent the block (11) so as to form a snug package (10) around the block ends and the reclosable zipper (15) extending in close adjacency to the block (11) . The method of forming a packaging for a block (11) having width (W) length (L1) and height (H) dimensions, comprising the steps : joining an upper and a lower layers (18, 19) of a flexible film along three ends, two end seals (13, 14) extending along the width of the film and being apart a first length (L2) at the ends of the film ; providing a reclosable rib and groove zipper (15) on the package along the fourth edge of the package, characterized in that said method further comprises the step of providing spot seals (20, 21) at the ends of the zipper (15), said spot seals (20, 21) joining said end seals, and in that the above steps consist in : providing at least one of said end seals (13, 14) which tapers in the location of the zipper (15) and providing reclosable rib and groove zipper (15) profiles of a length (L3) greater than said first length (L2) so that the profiles (15) can be separated to form a package mouth (22) for removal of the block (11) through the mouth (22) and for reinsertion through the mouth (22). The method in accordance with the steps of claim 8, wherein the two end seals (13, 14) are more narrow at the location of the zipper (15) to accomodate the greater length of the zipper (15). The method in accordance with the steps of one of claims 8, or 9, wherein the film is wrapped over a block (11) being doubled along one edge with zipper profiles (15) being formed along an opposite edge. The method according to one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the film is provided with a seam at the edge (12) opposite the zipper (15). The method of packaging a block (11) having a width (W), length (L1) and heigth (H) in accordance with one of claims 8 to 9 wherein the package (10) is formed independently of the block (11) and the block (11) inserted into the package (10) through the mouth (22) after formation of the package.

Inventors: VAN ERDEN DONALD L, VAN ERDEN, DONALD L.
Applicants: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B65D85
IPC codes: B65D75, B65D33