Abstract:
An attachable closure device for reclosing contains a base member, a resilient expandable band coupled to and extending from the base member, an adhesive layer on a surface of the base member, and a release agent on the adhesive layer. The release agent is housed in a coating on a release support layer, which may be coupled to the base member and unitary with the base member. The resilient, expandable band may be coupled and retained to the attachable closure device solely by a portion of the unitary base member-release support layer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/535,190, filed Aug. 4, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/086,322 filed Aug. 5, 2008, the entire disclosures of both of said prior applications being incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a reclosure apparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to a reclosure apparatus with means of attachment and more particularly to an apparatus for securing a receptacle such as a flexible or non-flexible container, including (but not limited to) a plastic snack bag or the like to prevent the contents of the bag from falling out during storage and to extend the freshness life of any perishable contents within the container. The reclosure apparatus may also include a hand/skin sanitizing agent. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The packaging of material and products in flexible bags, boxes, cartons and the like has long been considered a practical and efficient method of packaging. Various devices have been utilized for temporarily resealing packages between use. However, such devices still have many drawbacks. 
     Reclosure devices, in general, are in two different categories. The first category is the pre-attached/built-in closures that are constructed into or onto the package during their manufacture and prior to the sale of the product. Another category involves a “separate” closure device, which is utilized by the consumer after the purchase of the product and sold as a separate unit. Tongue and groove structure and sticky tape type closures are two examples of the former. The butterfly clip and twist tie closures are two examples of the latter. Both types of closures possess advantageous features, but also have various shortcomings which are overcome by the present invention. 
     Virtually everyone, for example, has experienced the pre-attached closure device that is almost impossible to manipulate or more often then not destroyed upon the opening of the package, rendering it useless. Moreover, it is widely recognized that the materials being used in bag construction have the additionally frustrating characteristic of a highly developed “memory” that virtually defies remaining in a rolled up condition between uses so that the contents are kept away from exposure to air. In short, a growing problem exists where, if one is able to successfully open a bag without damaging the reclosure device the bag won&#39;t stay rolled up tight enough to keep the air out and the contents fresh for very long. Another problem is that many packages do not come with “built in” closure devices at all, either, due to the additional cost such device would add to the product. Likewise, the size of the package can often times be a deciding factor against adding a closure, as in the case of a snack size chip bag. Therefore, a drawback consistent with pre-attached closures is that they limit the consumer to utilization of the advantages of a “built on closure” to packages that a manufacturer has deemed worthy of having such a device. 
     Another type of reclosure device include the various types of detached or separate closures that are purchased and applied to the package by the user. These types of closures are: easy to lose; bulky; permit excess air in the package; not practical on small bags (butterfly clips); don&#39;t work on boxes (butterfly clips, twist ties); expensive (butterfly clips); and are not easily disposable (butterfly clips). Additionally, reclosure devices, such as rubber bands and twist ties are dangerous as they can be swallowed by small children. Likewise, rubber bands can easily get tangled making it hard to retrieve only one when needed. Additionally, rubber bands can be easily lost prior to reclosure and while consuming the packaged foodstuff. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An attachable closure device has been discovered comprising a base member, a resilient expandable band coupled to and extending from the base member, an adhesive layer on a surface of the base member, and a release agent on the adhesive layer. 
     Additionally, the attachable closure device of the present invention provides the release agent in a coating on a release support layer, which release support layer may be coupled to the base member. Further, the release support layer can be unitary with the base member. The resilient, expandable band may be coupled and retained to the attachable closure device solely by a portion of said unitary base member-release support layer. The adhesive layer may be provided as a continuous or as at least two discontinuous portions on the surface of the base member. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the base member of the present attachable closure device may be coupled to a liquid sanitizing member comprising releasable liquid sanitizing agent. The liquid sanitizing agent can be released from said liquid sanitizing member upon separation of the adhesive layer from said release agent. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, a single release sheet may be provided with multiple detachable base members each of which is coupled to a resilient expansible band, such that the base member can be peeled off of the sheet and used as needed. If desired, a surface of the release support layer may contain visible printed matter on a surface opposite the release agent so as to provide advertising or instructive matter, for example. 
     Thus, the present invention may comprise an endless elastic or elastomeric band affixed to a tab. The tab comprises a base layer bearing an adhesive element that when exposed can be permanently or temporarily affixed to the container, which is hereinafter referred to as a “bag” for convenience purposes, thereby attaching the reclosure apparatus to the bag. The tab can also serve the purpose of housing the elastomeric band prior to use. The tab can also be utilized for logo and/or advertising space. Additionally, the tab can also be utilized to house a sanitizing element to be used by the consumer, if desired. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a bag reclosure device that will overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices. Also, the present device may incorporate a skin sanitizing agent. 
     Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing various layers of a package reclosure device in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view in section showing various layers of a package reclosure device with release liner partially detached in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side elevational view of  FIG. 2A  of the package reclosure apparatus showing various layers of the reclosure device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of the package reclosure device of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of the package reclosure device of  FIG. 2A  showing an elastomeric band partially dislodged from the perforated closure; 
         FIG. 4A  is a bottom plan view of the package reclosure device of  FIG. 2A  illustrating the imprint of a company logo on the bottom surface; 
         FIG. 4B  is a bottom plan view of the package reclosure apparatus of  FIG. 2A  showing the release liner partially detached; 
         FIG. 4C  is a bottom plan view of the package reclosure device of  FIG. 2A  showing the release liner exposing the pressure sensitive adhesive area completely; 
         FIG. 4D  is a perspective view in section showing various layers of the reclosure device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4E  is a partial top plan view showing multiple reclosure devices on a roll of release liner in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate use of the reclosure apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A,  2 B,  3 A,  3 B,  4 A,  4 B and  4 C in order to attach to and release the package, with company logo capability also demonstrated in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a side elevational view in section illustrating an assembled reclosure in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a side elevational view in section of the device of  FIG. 6A  with the release liner detached; 
         FIG. 7A  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the package reclosure apparatus of  FIG. 6A  with the release liner detached; 
         FIG. 7C  is a bottom view of the device of  FIG. 6A  with the release liner separated form the adhesive layer; 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are top views of package reclosure devices having different shapes; 
         FIG. 10A  is a top plan view of a package reclosure apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10B  is a top view of the package reclosure apparatus of  FIG. 10A  with the release liner partially detached; 
         FIG. 10C  is a bottom view of the package reclosure apparatus of  FIG. 10A  with the release liner fully detached exposing completely the pressure sensitive adhesive area in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10D  is a perspective top view of the package reclosure apparatus with release liner fully separated from the release sheet; 
         FIG. 11  shows use of the reclosure apparatus shown in  FIGS. 10A-10D  attached and used to reclose a package, with company logos; 
         FIG. 12A  is a top view of a fifth embodiment of the package reclosure device; 
         FIG. 12B  is a bottom view of the package reclosure device of  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 12C  is a perspective bottom view of the package reclosure apparatus of  FIG. 12A  with the release liner partially detached; 
         FIG. 12D  is a perspective bottom view of the package reclosure apparatus of  FIG. 12A  with the pressure sensitive adhesive area exposed completely; 
         FIG. 13A  is a side elevational view showing various layers of a sixth embodiment of the package reclosure apparatus in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 13B  is a side elevational view showing various layers of the package reclosure apparatus with release liner fully detached; 
         FIG. 13C  is a bottom view of the package reclosure apparatus of  FIG. 13B ; 
         FIG. 13D  is a top view of the package reclosure apparatus of  FIG. 13B ; 
         FIG. 13E  is a top view of the package reclosure device of  FIG. 13D  showing partial exposure of a sanitizing moist towelette; 
         FIG. 14A  is a side elevational view showing various layers of a package reclosure apparatus in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 14B  is a perspective view of the package reclosure apparatus of  FIG. 14A  showing how consumer would access sanitizing element in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 15A  is a perspective view showing various layers of a package reclosure apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 15B  is a top view of the package reclosure apparatus showing how consumer would access sanitizing element in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a package reclosure  10 A is shown. The reclosure apparatus  10 A comprises a top layer  12  comprising perforations  14  (also shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ) that may be broken in a manner described later herein. It should also be noted that top layer  12  has an opening  32 , for protrusion or exposure of a portion of the elastomeric band  24 . The elastomeric band  24  can be completely concealed beneath opening  32  before use as illustrated in  FIG. 4D . 
     The reclosure apparatus may comprises a folded carrier substrate, such as member  16  having a first outer side or surface  18 , a second outer side or surface  20 , a first inward side or surface  26 , and a second inward side or surface  28 . The folded carrier substrate  16  has a single fold  30  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . However, it should be appreciated that the reclosure device  10 A may be formed from a single substrate having two folds, such that taken together top layer  12  and second layer  18  may form a second fold (not shown). As illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B, the first inward side or surface  26  has an adhesive layer  27  secured thereto. The second inward side or surface  28  receives a release liner  29 . The various supporting sheets or layers described herein can be formed from paper or synthetic paper substitutes, which materials are well known in the art. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 B and  3 B, the first outer side or surface  18  has a permanent fastener  22  for elastomeric band  24 . The major portion of elastomeric band  24  is temporarily housed between top layer  12  and first inward side or surface  26  by permanent attachment of fastener  22  to surface  18 .  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A,  2 B and  3 A show the partial protrusion  34  of the elastomeric band  24  through the opening  32  on top layer  12 . 
       FIGS. 4A ,  5 B,  5 C and  5 D illustrate how the second outer side or surface  20  may be utilized for an advertisement or logo imprint  36 . 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a completely assembled view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating the various components and layers in a fully assembled form. To begin attachment of closure apparatus  10 A to a bag or other container, the second outer layer  20  bearing release liner  29  is peeled or pivoted in the direction of hinge  30  exposing adhesive layer  27 , as shown in FIGS. A and  4 B. Once adhesive layer  27  is fully exposed as shown in  FIG. 4C , closure apparatus  10  is applied by pressing adhesive layer  27  to package  50  as illustrated in  FIG. 5A .  FIGS. 5B-5D  illustrate one possible positioning of closure apparatus  10  to the lower half of bag  50 . Positioning closure apparatus  10  on the lower half of the bag will allow the user to roll up more of the package while leaving the closure apparatus exposed for proper storage as demonstrated in  FIG. 5D . 
     Adhesive layer  27  may be formed from a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Such adhesives are well known in the label art include, for example, “pressure sensitive” or “tacky” adhesives which form a strong bond with the desired container substrate when separated from the release sheet. Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 4D , an adhesive-forming layer  27  may comprise a coating of interspersed pressure-rupturable microcapsules  31  of two kinds. One kind of the microcapsules  31 A encloses a liquid solvent, while the other kind of microcapsules  31 B enclose a very viscous, nonflowing adhesive material which is substantially solid, but which is soluble in the solvent carried by the first kind of microcapsules. Under applied pressure from the top side of the reclosure device, the microcapsules are ruptured allowing the solvent to come into contact with the adhesive and become tacky thereby enabling the adhesive to form a bond with the container surface. Such a system is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,907,682 to Eichel, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     The term “release agent” as used herein includes conventional materials used in conjunction with pressure-sensitive or tacky adhesives to enable easy separation of the adhesive-bearing substrate prior to application and bonding to the container. However, the term “release agent” as used herein may also include pressure-rupturable microcapsules containing adhesives or adhesive-forming precursors, which microcapsular walls likewise prevent adhesion to an undesired substrate prior to use. The various layers of the present device can be made of paper, plastic or any suitable sheet material, as desired. 
     Release liner  29  may take the form of a sheet  33  which may be in the form of a roll having multiple closures devices  10 A spaced apart and separated by perforations  35  which can be used to tear one individual closure  10 A device from the continuous roll  33  as illustrated in  FIG. 4E . 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates a completely assembled view of an embodiment of the invention  10 B illustrating the various components and layers in a fully assembled form. It should be appreciated that in embodiment of reclosure apparatus  10 B, a majority of the elastomeric band  40  is exposed and loops through hole  44  providing permanent attachment of band  24  to tab  42 . In this embodiment  6 A the reclosure apparatus  10 B comprises a top layer  46  with an adhesive layer  27  secured to inward side  26 . A bottom layer  48  has a release liner  29  secured to inward side  28 . To begin attachment process of closure apparatus  10 B to bag  50 , the top layer  46  and bottom layer  48  are detached at the open end  54  of tab  42  in opposing directions pivoting at hinges  52  on closed or attached end  56  of said tab  42  thereby exposing adhesive  27  for attachment. This is best illustrated in  FIGS. 6B ,  7 B and  7 C. Once adhesive layer  27  is exposed completely as illustrated in  FIG. 7C  said reclosure apparatus  10 B is ready for attachment to bag  50 . Attachment and application of reclosure apparatus  10 B follows the same attachment procedure as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5D . It should be appreciated that said tab  42  can be constructed in a variety of geometric shapes and sizes as illustrated in  FIGS. 7A ,  8 ,  9  and  10 A. 
       FIG. 10A  illustrates a completely assembled view of an embodiment of the invention. It should be appreciated that in embodiment of reclosure apparatus  10 C a majority portion  40  of the elastomeric band  24  is temporarily housed between top layer  46  and bottom layer  48  of said tab  42  as best illustrated in  FIGS. 10B and 10C . A partial protrusion  34  of band  24  is exposed as illustrated in  FIG. 10A . It should be appreciated that the bottom layer  48  extends past top layer  46  with said extension  60  exposed, best illustrated in  FIG. 10A . The elastomeric band  24  has permanent attachment to fastener  22  which is located near hinge  30  and between top layer  46  and bottom layer  48  of said tab  42  illustrated in  FIG. 10C . It should be appreciated that top layer  46  receives a release liner  29  on top of inward side or surface  26  as shown in  FIG. 10C . The inward side  28  of bottom layer  48  receives two adhesive strips  67  leaving an adhesive free area  70  so as not to interfere with housing of majority portion  40  of band  24  best illustrated in  FIG. 10C . To begin attachment process of reclosure apparatus  10 C to bag  50 , the top layer  46  and bottom layer  48  are detached at the open end  54  of tab  42  in opposing directions pivoting at hinge  30  thereby exposing adhesive layer  27  for attachment. The process of opening said tab  42  is made easier by utilizing said extension  60 . The opening process of said tab  42  is best illustrated in  FIGS. 10B and 10C . Once adhesive layer  67  is exposed completely as illustrated in  FIG. 10C , said reclosure apparatus  10 C is ready for attachment to bag  50 . Attachment and application of closure apparatus  10 C is best illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIGS. 12A-12D  illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention. It should be appreciated that in embodiment of reclosure apparatus  10 D the elastomeric band  24  is exposed in totality best illustrated in  FIG. 12A . The elastomeric band  24  has permanent attachment to fastener  22  which is located near the center of a top layer  12 , as shown in  FIG. 12A . The bottom outer surface  20  and or top surface  12  can be utilized for advertising or company logo imprint  36 , best illustrated in  FIGS. 12A ,  12 B and  12 C. It should be appreciated that in embodiment  10 D the bottom layer  20  is proportionally smaller then top layer  12  as illustrated in  FIGS. 12B and 12C . The bottom layer  20  receives release liner  29  on the inward side  28  and top layer  12  receives an adhesive layer  27  on its inward side  26 . To begin attachment process of reclosure apparatus  10 D to bag  50 , the top layer  12  and bottom layer  20  are detached completely. The process of separating the top layer  12  and bottom layer  20  is made easier because of the fact that the bottom layer  20  is smaller then top layer  12  giving the user greater ability to separate the two layers as shown in  FIG. 12C . Once adhesive layer  27  is exposed completely as illustrated in  FIG. 12D , said reclosure apparatus  10 D is ready for attachment to bag  50 . Attachment and application of reclosure apparatus  10 D follows the same attachment procedure as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5D . 
       FIG. 13A-13E  illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention. Referring now to  FIG. 13A , an embodiment of a package reclosure  10 E is shown. The reclosure apparatus  10 E comprises a sealed package  66  consisting essentially of an inner liquid and gas impervious tearable envelope  69  and a moistened narrow fold towelette applicator  68  (or a liquid sanitizing agent) enclosed within the envelope. The envelope  69  is contained within an outer sheet of paper or the like  70  as illustrated in  FIGS. 13A and 13B . The sealed package  66  has a perforated tear away end  64  for retrieving said towelette  68  or other sanitizing agent as illustrated in  FIG. 13E . It should be appreciated that sealed package  66  is attached to top layer  46  of said tab  42 . It should be appreciated that top layer  46  receives a release liner  29  on top of inward side or surface  26  as shown in  FIGS. 13A-13D . The bottom layer  48  receives an adhesive layer  27  on its inward side  28 . It should be appreciated that in embodiment of reclosure apparatus  10 E the elastomeric band  24  is exposed in totality, best illustrated in  FIGS. 13A ,  13 B,  13 D and  13 E. The elastomeric band  24  has permanent attachment to fastener  22  which is located near the center of bottom layer  72 , best illustrated in  FIG. 13D  and  FIG. 13E . To begin attachment process of reclosure apparatus  10 E to bag  50 , the top layer  46  and bottom layer  48  are detached at the open end of tab  42  in opposing directions pivoting at hinge  30  thereby exposing adhesive layer  27  for attachment. The process of opening said tab  42  is made easier by utilizing said extension  60 . The opening process is best illustrated in  FIGS. 13B and 13C . Once adhesive layer  27  is exposed, the attachment and application of reclosure apparatus  10 E follows the same procedure as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5D . It should be appreciated that before or after said reclosure apparatus  10 E has been attached to bag  50 , a consumer may utilize said towelette  68  (or other sanitizing agent) by tearing the sealed package  66  at the line of perforations  64  on said package. It should be appreciated that the sealed package  66  may contain a multiple number of individual envelopes each containing a separate towelette  68  (or other sanitizing agents) thus permitting multiple sanitizing applications from a single reclosure apparatus. It should also be appreciated that the sealed package  66  can be attached to the reclosure apparatus in many different ways. After said sanitizing agent  68  has been utilized said reclosure apparatus  10 E the process of operating said reclosure will remain consistent with prior usage procedures. 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention. Referring now to  FIG. 14A , an embodiment of a package reclosure  10 F is shown. The reclosure apparatus  10 F comprises a sealed package  45  containing a gel or liquid sanitizer  41 . The sealed package  45  has an opening  39  on top layer  12 . Opening  39  has a break away seal  37 . Seal  37  has permanent attachment to elastomeric band  24 . When elastomeric band  24  is extended for application, the temporary seal  37  will break away from opening  39 , enabling sanitizer  41  to be released through opening  39  when pressure is applied to top layer  12  as illustrated in  FIG. 14B . After said sanitizer  41  has been utilized said reclosure apparatus  10 F the process of operating said reclosure will remain consistent with prior usage procedures. 
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention. Referring now to  FIG. 15A , an embodiment of a package reclosure  10 G is shown. A base member  16  has a first surface  18  and a second surface  26 . The first surface  18  is on an opposite side of the base member  16  from the second surface  26 . The resilient expandable band  24  is coupled to and extends from the first surface  18  of the base member  16 . The resilient expandable band  24  is at least partially enclosed by a top layer  12  coupled to the first surface  18  of the base member  16 . An adhesive layer  27  includes a tacky adhesive and is coupled to the second surface  26  of the base member  16 . A release liner  29  includes a release agent coated onto a portion of the second surface  26  of the base member  16 . The release liner  29  is coupled to the adhesive layer  27  such that the release agent is in direct contact with the tacky adhesive of the adhesive layer  27 . The release liner  29  is separable from the tacky adhesive. The reclosure apparatus  10 G comprises a layer of sanitizer-containing pressure-rupturable microcapsules  43  contained on the first surface  18 . Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 15A , the microcapsules  43  are disposed on a lower portion  20  of the first surface  18 . The sanitizer contained in each microcapsule is released for use when such microcapsule is ruptured under application of pressure by the users finger tip or by scraping with a device, such as a coin. 
     While various embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.