Abstract:
Reclosable gusseted packages or bags have improved resistance to leaking or spilling through the gussets by sealing the gussets together through apertures in the gusset walls, by sealing the zipper flanges together through apertures passing through the gussets in the package or bag, or by sewing the gussets shut in areas proximate to the zipper.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to improving the leak-proof or spill-resistant quality of gussets in reclosable packages, particularly those made with multi-wall paper or woven polypropylene. This is achieved by sealing the gussets together through apertures in the gusset walls, by sealing the zipper flanges together through apertures passing through the gussets, or by sewing the gusset shut. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    In the prior art of reclosable packages or bags, it is well known to use gussets between the front and rear walls to increase the capacity of the package or bag with only a small increase in the packaging material, such as multi-wall paper or polypropylene. 
         [0005]    However, the use of gussets can increase the tendency for the contents of the reclosable package or bag to leak from the gusset area proximate to the intersection of the package or bag walls and the zipper. More specifically, the contents can travel up the center of the package or bag, between the zipper profiles and out the gusset. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to eliminate or reduce the leakage of contents of a gusseted reclosable package or bag through the gussets proximate to the intersection of the zipper profiles and the package or bag walls. 
         [0007]    This and other objects are attained by sealing the gussets together through apertures in the gusset walls, by sealing the zipper flanges together through apertures passing through the gussets, or by sewing the gussets shut in areas proximate to the zipper. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a plan view, partially in phantom, of a prior art gusseted package or bag, showing the route through which contents may inadvertently escape. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view along plane  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view along plane  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the expanded walls of the package or bag of the first embodiment of the present invention prior to the installation of the reclosable zipper. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of the collapsed walls of the package or bag of the first embodiment of the present invention prior to the installation of the reclosable zipper. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a plan view, partially in phantom, of the package or bag of the first embodiment of the present invention after installation of the reclosable zipper. This plan view is likewise applicable to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of the expanded walls of the package or bag of the second embodiment of the present invention prior to the installation of the reclosable zipper. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of the collapsed walls of the package or bag of the second embodiment of the present invention prior to the installation of the reclosable zipper. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the expanded walls of the package or bag of the third embodiment of the present invention prior to the installation of the reclosable zipper. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of the collapsed walls of the package or bag of the third embodiment of the present invention prior to the installation of the reclosable zipper. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a plan view, partially in phantom, of the package or bag of the third embodiment of the present invention after installation of the reclosable zipper. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one sees that  FIG. 1  is a plan view, partially in phantom, of a prior art reclosable package or bag  100  and that  FIGS. 2 and 3  are cross-sectional views thereof. The package or bag  100  is formed from co-extensive front wall  102  and rear wall  104  which are typically formed from polymeric materials (such as, but not limited to, polyethylene or polypropylene, including woven polypropylene), multi-wall paper or laminates. Gussets  106 ,  108  (illustrated in phantom in  FIG. 1  and in cross section in  FIG. 2 ) are formed as inwardly pointing folds between the side edges of front and rear walls  102 ,  104 , typically integral with, or at least of the same material as, front and rear walls  102 ,  104 . Gusset  106  is formed from gusset walls  106   a ,  106   b  in an inwardly pointing V-shaped configuration while gusset  108  is formed from gusset walls  108   a ,  108   b  in an inwardly pointing V-shaped configuration. The bottom edges of front and rear walls  102 ,  104  are sealed or otherwise closed or joined to form bottom  110 . Mouth  112  is formed between the top edges of front and rear walls  102 ,  104 . Zipper assembly  200  is sealed, glued or otherwise secured to the upper exterior of front and rear walls  102 ,  104 . As shown best in  FIG. 3 , zipper assembly  200  includes first profile  202  and second profile  204 . First profile  202  includes first interlocking element  206  and first flange  210 . Second profile  204  includes second interlocking element  208  and second flange  212 . First and second flanges  210 ,  212  are sealed, glue or otherwise secured to the upper exterior of front and rear walls  102 ,  104 , respectively. Typically, zipper assembly  200  includes slider  214  mounted on first and second profiles  202 ,  204 . Slider  214  operates in a conventional manner of interlocking first and second interlocking elements  206 ,  208  with each other when moved in a first direction and separating first and second interlocking elements  206 ,  208  when moved in a second direction. However, alternatively, first and second interlocking elements  206 ,  208  may have a “press-to-close” configuration in which no slider is required. 
         [0021]    As shown by the circuitous path indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 1 , this design is susceptible to contents within package or bag  100  traveling up the center of the package or bag  100 , between the first and second flanges  210 ,  212  and out the gussets  106 ,  108 . This leakage or spillage is illustrated for the first gusset  106  but is equally applicable to the second gusset  108 . 
         [0022]    This deficiency can be minimized or eliminated by closing the gussets  106 ,  108  proximate to the zipper assembly  200  as illustrated in the embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention wherein apertures  120 ,  122 ,  130 ,  132  are formed in gusset walls,  106   a ,  106   b ,  108 ,  108   b , respectively. When the gussets  106 ,  108  are collapsed as shown in  FIG. 5 , apertures  120 ,  122  align with each other so that a portion of front wall  102  contacts a portion of rear wall  104  through the aligned apertures  120 ,  122 . Similarly, apertures  130 ,  132  align with each other so that a portion of front wall  102  contacts a portion of rear wall  104  through the aligned apertures  130 ,  132 . When the first and second flanges  210 ,  212  of zipper assembly  200  are placed over front and rear walls  102 ,  104  and sealed thereto, front wall  102  is sealed to rear wall  104  through aligned apertures  120 ,  122  and through aligned apertures  130 ,  132  thereby closing the upper ends of the gussets  106 ,  108  and eliminating or reducing the spillage described above. The sealing can be heat sealing by ultrasonic or conduction, or can be by adhesive. Alternatively, grommets (not shown) can pass through aligned apertures  120 ,  122  and  130 ,  132 . The resulting package or bag  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The parenthetical notations to numerals  118 ,  124 ,  128 ,  134  apply to the extent that  FIG. 6  likewise illustrates the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0024]      FIG. 7  illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention wherein apertures  118 ,  124  (in phantom) are formed in front and rear walls  102 ,  104  respectively, so as to align with apertures  120 ,  122 . Likewise, apertures  128 ,  134  are formed in front and rear walls  102 ,  104 , respectively so as to align with apertures  130 ,  132 . When the gussets  106 ,  108  are collapsed as shown in  FIG. 8 , apertures  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  align with each other. Similarly, apertures  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134  align with each other. When the first and second flanges  210 ,  212  of zipper assembly  200  are placed over front and rear walls  102 ,  104  and sealed thereto, portions of first flange  210  are sealed to portions of second flange  212  through aligned apertures  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  and through aligned apertures  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134  thereby closing the upper ends of the gussets  106 ,  108  and eliminating or reducing the spillage described above. The resulting package or bag  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , as is the first previously described first embodiment. Alternatively, grommets (not shown) can pass through aligned apertures  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  and  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention wherein thread or similar material is used to form first and second stitches  150 ,  152 . First stitch  150  stitches together gusset walls  106   a ,  106   b  with the portions of front and rear walls  102 ,  104  which contact the gusset walls  106   a ,  106   b . Likewise, second stitch  152  stitches together gusset walls  108   a ,  108   b  with the portions of front and rear walls  102 ,  104  which contact the gusset walls  108   a ,  108   b . Stitches  150 ,  152  close the upper ends of the gussets  106 ,  108  thereby eliminating or reducing the leakage described above. As shown in phantom in  FIG. 11 , typically, stitches  150 ,  152  are formed in an area of front and rear walls  102 ,  104  which is covered by the zipper flanges  210 ,  212 . 
         [0026]    Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.