US5224779A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper-evident, reclosable flexible packages
Assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
•
Filing: 1992-03-20
•
Granted: 1993-07-06
•
Expires: 2012-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A reclosable, hermetically-sealed flexible package which has an inner, hermetic peel seal and a reclosure seal comprised of interlocking closure strips is provided with a tamper-evident feature located peripheral to the reclosure seal. The tamper-evident feature must be visibly disrupted to gain access to the reclosure seal.
Inventors
- 👤 Bjorn J. Thompson
- 👤 Gerald O. Hustad
- 👤 Todd S. Marnocha
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:45
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D33/00; B65D33/16; B65D33/25; B65D33/2508; B65D33/2516; B65D33/2533; B65D33/2525
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
In a reclosable, flexible package wherein a product is hermetically sealed between opposed wall panels, wherein the package is permanently sealed about its bottom and side periphery and is sealed with a hermetic peel seal adjacent to the product towards the top of the package and wherein the package has a reclosure seal comprised of interlocking closure strips and located adjacent and peripheral to the hermetic peel seal and below the top edges of the package, the improvement comprising a tamper-evident feature located above the reclosure seal of the package wherein visible disruption of the tamper-evident feature is necessary in order to gain access to the reclosure seal and wherein the tamper-evident feature can be fully disrupted by digital forces wherein the opposed wall panels are sealed in face-to-face relationship with intermittent spot seals which generally extend the width of the package, which spot seals are located above the reclosure seal, and each intermittent spot seal is bordered by a line of perforations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
In a reclosable, flexible package wherein a product is hermetically sealed between opposed wall panels, wherein the package is permanently sealed about its bottom and side periphery and is sealed with a hermetic peel seal adjacent to the product towards the top of the package and wherein the package has a reclosure seal comprised of interlocking closure strips and located adjacent and peripheral to the hermetic peel seal and below the top edges of the package, the improvement comprising a tamper-evident feature located above the reclosure seal of the package wherein visible disruption of the tamper-evident feature is necessary in order to gain access to the reclosure seal and wherein the tamper-evident feature can be fully disrupted by digital forces wherein the opposed wall panels are sealed in face-to-face relationship with intermittent spot seals which generally extend the width of the package, which spot seals are located above the reclosure seal, and each intermittent spot seal is bordered by a line of perforations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The package of claim 1 wherein the face-to-face intermittent spot seals are heat seals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The package of claim 2, wherein the heat seals includes intermittent portions of the opposed wall panels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The package of claim 1 wherein the intermittent spot seals are heat seals, which seals are adapted to be torn by means of digital forces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The package of claim 4 wherein the heat seals are seals which are spaced across the top edge of the package.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The package of claim 1 wherein the intermittent seals are peelable seals.
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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) | 1996-07-05 | 1997-01-04 | 1997-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-05 | 2001-01-04 | 2001-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-05 | 2005-01-04 | 2005-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |