Patent Publication Number: US-7896548-B2

Title: Double gusseted slider package

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a reclosable package or bag with a slider zipper, and further including a first gusset formed between the zipper profiles in order to provide tamper evidence and a second gusset formed below one zipper profile in order to allow the filled package to stand up for display purposes. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The prior art of reclosable packages or bags is well-developed. However, further developments are always sought in order to make the packages more attractive in a retail environment. A free-standing package can be attractive in this regard. Similarly, gussets can be used to increase capacity of the package or bag. Method for making gussets are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,986,237 entitled “Methods of Making a Gusset Style Pouch in a Reclosable Bag”, issued on Jan. 17, 2006 to Ausnit. Moreover, tamper evidence is generally preferred by consumers. Representative tamper-evident packages or bags are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,890 entitled “Tamper Evident Resealable Packaging”, issued on Oct. 5, 2004 to Schneider et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,690 entitled “Shock Resistant Tamper Evident Reclosable Plastic Bag”, issued on Jul. 22, 2003 to Machacek. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reclosable package or bag which is attractive and has a high capacity, particularly for bakery or similar commercial products. 
     It is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide a reclosable package or bag which is tamper evident. 
     These and other objects are attained by providing a reclosable package or bag with two gussets, a first gusset which is formed between the zipper profiles and a second gusset which is formed on one wall immediately below the zipper profile. The first gusset provides a tamper evident feature, and typically includes a perforated line or similar line or area of weakness in the gusset fold. This perforated line or similar element is torn open to gain initial consumer access to the product. The second gusset expands when the package or bag is loaded with product, thereby providing a standing capability for display purposes. 
     A slider zipper is typically installed over the first gusset. However, an alternative embodiment uses a press-to-close zipper within the first gusset. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of the package or bag of the present invention, shown in the orientation with the zipper at the top of the package or bag. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view along plane  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2A  shows the area of detail from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 2B  shows a first alternative area of detail from  FIG. 2 , wherein the package walls are sealed to an external portion of zipper flanges. 
         FIG. 2C  shows a second alternative area of detail from  FIG. 2 , wherein the package walls are sealed to an internal portion of zipper flanges. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the package or bag of the present invention, shown in the orientation with the zipper at the bottom of the package or bag, and the first gusset in the expanded position to provide the standing capability. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment, using a press-to-close zipper. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     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 of the package or bag  10  of the present invention, shown in the orientation with the zipper at the top, while  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view along plane  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Bag  10  is formed from a single sheet of polymeric web forming front wall  11  and rear wall  13  so that the two ends or edges  12 ,  14  of the web are sealed together at bottom  16  by wide bottom seal  18 . Wide seal bottom seal  18  can include hang apertures  20 ,  22  for hanging on a display (in an inverted position from that shown in  FIG. 1 ). The contents of bag  10  are typically filled between ends or edges  12 ,  14  before the sealing together thereof to form wide bottom seal  18 . Side seals  17 ,  19  are likewise formed between front and rear walls  11 ,  13 . 
     Top gusset  24  is formed at the top of the bag  10  thereby forming first and second protrusions  26 ,  28  with top gusset fold  30  therebetween. Zipper  32  includes first and second flanged zipper profiles  34 ,  36  which are sealed to respective first and second protrusions  26 ,  28 . Slider  38  is mounted on first and second flanged zipper profiles  34 ,  36  and operates in the conventional manner of interlocking first and second flanged zipper profiles  34 ,  36  when moved in a first direction and separating interlocking first and second flanged zipper profiles  34 ,  36  when moved in a second direction. 
     Perforated line  40  is formed in the web in top gusset fold  30 . Perforated line  40  may be replaced by a similar line or area of weakness such as a scored line or a peel seal. The resulting configuration allows a consumer or user to move slider  38  in the second direction to separate the first and second flanged zipper profiles  34 ,  36  and thereafter break or tear perforated line  40  in order to gain access to the contents of bag  10 . The user or consumer may thereafter reclose the bag  10  by moving slider  38  in the first direction. The tearing of perforated line  40  remains, however, as evidence of prior opening. An alternative embodiment could omit perforated line  40  resulting in a gap in the web where perforated line  40  is otherwise formed. This would remove this tamper-evident characteristic. Moreover, it would permit bag  10  to be formed from two separate sheets of web, or formed from a single sheet of web and filled through the zipper  32  (wide bottom seal  18  being formed from two sides of a bottom fold rather than the joining of two ends  12 ,  14  of web). 
       FIGS. 2B and 2C  disclose alternative embodiments wherein first and second zipper profiles  34 ,  36  include respective first and second zipper flanges  35 ,  37 . In  FIG. 2B , the exterior faces of first and second zipper flanges  35 ,  37  are sealed to the interior of respective first and second protrusions  26 ,  28 . In  FIG. 2C , the interior faces of first and second zipper flanges  35 ,  37  are sealed to the exterior of respective first and second protrusions  26 ,  28 . 
     Side gusset  42  is formed in the web below second protrusion  28  thereby forming side gusset protrusion  44  and side gusset fold  46 . The segments of web forming the side gusset protrusion  44  are sealed together. The resulting seal may form an integral or unified portion of the side seals  17 ,  19  (typically only for wider packages so that central portions of side gusset protrusion  44  may extend upon filling) or may form a separate protrusion therefrom. Upon loading of product into bag  10 , side gusset  42  expands and the side gusset protrusion  44  (either the entire gusset protrusion  44  or, if a portion of is integral with side seals  17 ,  19 , then the central portion of gusset protrusion  44 ) protrudes thereby providing the bag  10  with the capability of standing in the orientation shown in  FIG. 3  (that is, with zipper  30  in the lower position, the opposite of the orientation shown in  FIG. 1 ). Whether the bag  10  is displayed by placing hang apertures  20 ,  22  on a display rack or by opening the side gusset  42  to form a standing capability, the consumer sees bag  10  in the orientation of  FIG. 3 , and the graphics on bag  10  should be placed accordingly. 
       FIG. 4  discloses an alternative embodiment of bag  10 , with the first and second profiles  50 ,  52  of a press-to-close zipper  54  placed on the interior of first and second protrusions  26 ,  28 , respectively, within top gusset fold  30 . Otherwise, the bag  10  of  FIG. 4  is produced with similar or identical elements as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     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.