US5121997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Perforated tear strip for easy-open flexible containers
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1991-05-03
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Granted: 1992-06-16
•
Expires: 2011-05-03
Abstract
Abstract An easy-open container includes a membrane forming the top edge of the container and hermetically sealing the contents thereof. Elements for opening the container are disposed on the membrane, and includes a first bead of thermoplastic material and a first perforated line for tearing across the membrane. In one embodiment the membrane is disposed inward from the mouth of the bag, leaving portions of the bag walls extending upward beyond the container top edge to form guide rails which facilitate opening of the container. One guide rail is removed as the bag is opened and remaining portions of the bag walls are offset to enhance access to the bag contents. A membrane for sealing the mouth opening of a bag-like structure is also provided, as are methods for making an easy-open container and for making a membrane having the strcutures aforesaid.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank La Pierre
- 👤 Daniel Beyer
- 👤 Daniel P. McDonald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:41
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D33/00; B65D33/16; B65D33/25; B65D33/2508; B65D33/2516; B65D33/2533; B29; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/025; B29C48/0255; B29C48/03; B29C48/07; B29C48/09; B29C48/12; B29C48/15; B29C48/154; B29C48/155; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/712; B29L2031/7128; B29L2031/727; B29L2031/7282; B31; B31B; B31B70/00; B31B70/74; B31B70/81; B31B70/813; B31B70/8131; B31B70/8132
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An easy-open flexible container comprising: a bag structure of thermoplastic material having an opening defined by two generally opposing bag walls; and a membrane having a first surface and a second surface, and said membrane further including: interlocking first and second zipper elements disposed on said first surface of said membrane; and means for tearing said membrane disposed generally between said first and second zipper elements; said means for tearing comprising a first bead of thermoplastic material defining a first tear line, and said means for tearing further comprising a first perforated line of tearing defining a second tear line; wherein said first bead and said first perforated line are in spaced relationship on said membrane; and wherein said membrane is folded to form a container edge and seal said opening, said membrane attached along said second surface thereof to the inside of said bag walls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
An easy-open flexible container comprising: a bag structure of thermoplastic material having an opening defined by two generally opposing bag walls; and a membrane having a first surface and a second surface, and said membrane further including: interlocking first and second zipper elements disposed on said first surface of said membrane; and means for tearing said membrane disposed generally between said first and second zipper elements; said means for tearing comprising a first bead of thermoplastic material defining a first tear line, and said means for tearing further comprising a first perforated line of tearing defining a second tear line; wherein said first bead and said first perforated line are in spaced relationship on said membrane; and wherein said membrane is folded to form a container edge and seal said opening, said membrane attached along said second surface thereof to the inside of said bag walls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 1 wherein portions of said bag walls extend upward beyond said container edge to form guide rails.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 1 wherein said first perforated line is disposed in a portion of said membrane which is not attached to said bag walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 3 wherein said first perforated line is located adjacent to a portion of said membrane which is attached to one of said bag walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 1 wherein said first perforated line is disposed in a portion of said membrane attached to one of said bag walls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 1 wherein said membrane is folded to form a container edge and bring portions of said membrane into opposing relationship, said first perforated line of tearing disposed on one portion, and said membrane further comprising a second perforated line of tearing disposed on an opposing portion of said membrane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 1 further comprising a third perforated line of tearing disposed in said bag wall adjacent said first perforated line and in generally parallel relationship with said first perforated line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 7 wherein said membrane further comprises fourth and fifth perforated lines, one each disposed in a portion of said membrane to be sealed to said opposing bag walls, said fourth and fifth perforated lines adapted for transit of gases therethrough during production of said container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 6 wherein said second perforated line is generally aligned in parallel relationship with said first perforated line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 6 wherein said membrane further comprises a second sealing strip disposed on the first surface of said membrane along said second perforated line of tearing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 1 wherein said membrane is attached to said bag walls along portions of said second surface upward from said zipper elements towards said first bead, and portions of said membrane bearing said zipper elements extend downward unattached to said bag walls.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 11 wherein said guide rails extending beyond said container edge are sealed together to form a peel seal above said container edge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 1 wherein said membrane is of a different thickness than said web.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 13 wherein said membrane thickness is less than that of said web.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 1 wherein one or more portions of one or more of said bag walls extend beyond said container edge and include means for gripping said bag walls.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 15 wherein said means for gripping comprises one or more second beads of thermoplastic material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
126 words
An easy-open container as recited in claim 1 wherein: said membrane is comprised of two or more layers; said first bead is disposed on said second surface positioned generally centrally between said zipper elements in the area of said membrane forming the container edge; and said first bead has a generally oval-shape with two wide and two narrow faces, generally oriented on said second surface so that one of said wide edges attaches thereto; and said membrane further comprises: a first sealing strip disposed on the first surface of said membrane along said first perforated line of tearing; and means for gripping disposed on said first surface generally between said first bead of thermoplastic material and at least one of said first and second zipper elements.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
100 words
A membrane for sealing an opening of a bag structure to form an edge of an easy-open container, wherein said membrane has a first surface and a second surface, and further comprises: interlocking zipper elements disposed on said first surface of said membrane; and means for tearing said membrane disposed generally between said first and second zipper elements, said means for tearing comprising a first bead of thermoplastic material defining a first tear line and a first perforated line of tearing defining a second tear line, said first bead and said first perforated line in spaced relationship on said membrane.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
100 words
A membrane for sealing an opening of a bag structure to form an edge of an easy-open container, wherein said membrane has a first surface and a second surface, and further comprises: interlocking zipper elements disposed on said first surface of said membrane; and means for tearing said membrane disposed generally between said first and second zipper elements, said means for tearing comprising a first bead of thermoplastic material defining a first tear line and a first perforated line of tearing defining a second tear line, said first bead and said first perforated line in spaced relationship on said membrane.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A membrane as recited in claim 18 wherein said membrane is comprised of two or more layers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A membrane as recited in claim 18 wherein said first bead is positioned generally centrally between said zipper elements.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A membrane as recited in claim 18 wherein said membrane further comprises a first sealing strip disposed on the first surface of said membrane along said first perforated line.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
67 words
A membrane as recited in claim 19 wherein said film comprises: an inner heat resistant layer to prevent fusing together said first surfaces when folding and sealing said second surfaces to seal the opening of a bag-like structure; a middle barrier layer for hermetically sealing the opening of a bag structure; and an outer sealing layer for sealing said membrane to the walls of a bag structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
A membrane as recited in claim 22 wherein: said inner heat resistant layer is comprised of ethylene acrylic acid or ethylene vinyl acetate; said barrier layer is comprised of polyvinylidene chloride or ethylene vinyl alcohol; and said outer sealing layer is comprised of high density polyethylene.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
64 words
A membrane as recited in claim 19 wherein said film comprises: an inner layer both for hermetically sealing the opening contents of said bag structure and for preventing the fusing together said first surfaces when folding and sealing said second surfaces to seal the opening of said bag structure; and an outer layer for sealing said membrane to the walls of said bag structure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
A membrane as recited in claim 24 wherein said inner layer is comprised of a carboxylic acid-ethylene copolymer, and said outer layer is comprised of high density polyethylene.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
A membrane as recited in claim 18 wherein said first bead of thermoplastic material comprises a first oval-shaped bead having two wide and two narrow faces, generally oriented so that one of said narrow edges comprises the leading edge thereof for tearing.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
A membrane as recited in claim 18 further comprising means for gripping.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A membrane as recited in claim 27 wherein said means for gripping comprises one or more second beads of thermoplastic material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
A membrane as recited in claim 27 further comprising means for gripping disposed on said first surface between said first bead of thermoplastic material and at least one of said first and second zipper elements.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-16 | 1995-12-16 | 1996-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-16 | 1999-12-16 | 2000-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-16 | 2003-12-16 | 2004-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |