Reclosable packages with barrier properties

Abstract

A reclosable package includes a pair of opposing walls, a reclosable seal and a barrier partition. The pair of opposing wall panels are joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridges the opposing sides to create a receptacle space having a mouth end opposite the bottom. The reclosable seal extends along the mouth end and includes first and second opposing reclosable elements. The first and second reclosable elements are releasably engageable to each other. The barrier partition comprises at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The barrier partition extends substantially across the pair of opposing wall panels in the receptacle space.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reclosable package, comprising: 
 a pair of opposing wall panels joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the opposing sides to create a receptacle space having a mouth end opposite the bottom;    a reclosable seal extending along the mouth end and including first and second opposing reclosable elements, the first and second reclosable elements being releasably engageable to each other; and    a barrier partition comprising at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, the barrier partition extending substantially across the pair of opposing wall panels in the receptacle space.    
     
     
         2 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier partition is formed by first and second fin portions extending downward from the respective first and second reclosable elements and are joined to each other.  
     
     
         3 . The reclosable package of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second fin portions are joined to each other along a one-time breakable preferential area of weakness to inhibit tampering with the package prior to being opened.  
     
     
         4 . The reclosable package of  claim 3 , wherein the preferential area of weakness is selected from the group consisting of a score line, a thinned line and a highly oriented region.  
     
     
         5 . The reclosable package of  claim 2 . wherein the first and second fin portions are joined to each other along respective lower edges thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The reclosable package of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second fin portions are extruded with each other so as to form a single continuous fin.  
     
     
         7 . The reclosable package of  claim 2 , wherein a combination of the first and second fin portions has a generally U-shaped or V-shaped cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         8 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier partition is formed by at least one integral extension of at least one opposing wall panel.  
     
     
         9 . The reclosable package of  claim 8 , wherein the barrier partition is formed by integral extensions of the opposing wall panels.  
     
     
         10 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer of the barrier partition comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, nylon, polyester, ethylene vinyl dichloride, liquid crystal polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, modified polyolefins with barrier properties, polyacrylonitrile, acrylonitriles copolymers, polyacetal, cellophane or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The reclosable package of  claim 10 , wherein the first layer of the barrier partition comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol, nylon, polyvinylidene chloride or the combination thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier partition includes an oxygen scavenger or an oxygen absorber.  
     
     
         13 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier partition includes a filler.  
     
     
         14 . The reclosable package of  claim 13 . wherein the filler is talc. clay, mica or a nanocomposite.  
     
     
         15 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier partition further includes a second layer, the second layer is a tie layer.  
     
     
         16 . The reclosable package of  claim 15 , wherein the barrier partition further includes a third layer, the third layer is a tie layer and the first layer is located between the second and the third layers.  
     
     
         17 . The reclosable package of  claim 15 , wherein the barrier partition further includes a third layer, the third layer comprises a polyolefin, the second layer is located between the first and the third layers.  
     
     
         18 . The reclosable package of  claim 15 , wherein the barrier partition further includes a third layer and a fourth layer, the third layer is a tie layer, the fourth layer comprises a polyolefin and is located adjacent to the third layer, the third layer is located between the fourth and first layers, and the first layer is located between the second and third layers.  
     
     
         19 . The reclosable package of  claim 18 , wherein the barrier partition further includes a fifth layer, the fifth layer comprises a polyolefin and is located adjacent to the second layer, the second layer is located between the fifth and first layers.  
     
     
         20 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is nylon, ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The reclosable package of  claim 17 , wherein the first layer is nylon or ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         22 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the first reclosable element includes a first locking profile and the second reclosable element includes a second locking profile, and further including a slider mechanism slidably mounted to the first and second locking profiles for movement between a closed position and an open position, the first and second profiles being engaged to each other while the slider mechanism is in the closed position, the first and second profiles being disengaged from each other in response to movement of the slider mechanism to the open position.  
     
     
         23 . A reclosable package, comprising: 
 a pair of opposing wall panels joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the opposing sides to create a receptacle space having a mouth end opposite the bottom;    a reclosable seal extending along the mouth end and including first and second opposing tracks, the first and second opposing tracks including respective first and second profiles, the first and second opposing tracks being releasably engageable to each other, the first and second tracks being connected to one of the respective opposing wall panels, the first and second profiles including at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide; and    barrier means being proximate to upper edges of the respective first and second profiles, the barrier means being substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.    
     
     
         24 . The reclosable package of  claim 23 , wherein the barrier means includes first and second upstanding fins extending upward from the respective first and second profiles, the first and second upstanding fins are detachably connected to the first and second profiles and are attached to each other.  
     
     
         25 . The reclosable package of  claim 24 , wherein the first and second upstanding fins extend substantially across the mouth, and further including a slider mechanism slidably mounted to the first and second profiles for movement between a closed position and an open position.  
     
     
         26 . The reclosable package of  claim 23 , wherein the barrier means is a continuous bead of adhesive applied across the upper edges of the respective first and second profiles.  
     
     
         27 . The reclosable package of  claim 23 , wherein the barrier means includes an integral formation of the upper edges of the respective first and second profiles.  
     
     
         28 . The reclosable package of  claim 23 , wherein the barrier means includes a continuous thermal seal of the upper edges of the respective first and second profiles.  
     
     
         29 . The reclosable package of  claim 23  further including a slider mechanism slidably mounted to the first and second profiles for movement between a closed position and an open position, the first and second profiles being engaged to each other while the slider mechanism is in the closed position, the first and second profiles being disengaged from each other in response to movement of the slider mechanism to the open position.  
     
     
         30 . The reclosable package of  claim 29 , wherein the slider mechanism includes a separator finger disposed between the first and second profiles, the separator finger adapted to break a line of connection formed between the upper edges of the respective first and second profiles in response to movement of the slider from the closed position to the open position.  
     
     
         31 . The reclosable package of  claim 23 , wherein the barrier means comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, nylon, polyester, ethylene vinyl dichloride, liquid crystal polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, modified polyolefins with barrier properties, polyacrylonitrile, acrylonitriles copolymers polyacetal, cellophane or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         32 . The reclosable package of  claim 31 , wherein the barrier means comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol, nylon, polyvinylidene chloride or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         33 . The reclosable package of  claim 23 , wherein the barrier means further includes a second layer, the second layer is a tie layer.  
     
     
         34 . The reclosable package of  claim 33 , wherein the barrier means further includes a third layer, the third layer is a tie layer and the first layer is located between the second and third layers.  
     
     
         35 . The reclosable package of  claim 23 , wherein the barrier means includes an oxygen scavenger or an oxygen absorber.  
     
     
         36 . The reclosable package of  claim 23 , wherein the barrier means includes a filler.  
     
     
         37 . The reclosable package of  claim 36 , wherein the filler is talc, clay, mica or a nanocomposite.  
     
     
         38 . A reclosable package, comprising: 
 a pair of opposing wall panels joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the opposing sides to create a receptacle space having a mouth end opposite the bottom;    a reclosable seal extending along the mouth end and including first and second opposing reclosable elements the first and second reclosable elements being releasably engageable to each other; and    a barrier partition comprising at least a first layer that includes a material selected from the group consisting of vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, nylon, polyester, ethylene vinyl dichloride, liquid crystal polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, modified polyolefins with barrier properties, polyacrylonitrile, acrylonitriles copolymers, polyacetals, cellophane or combinations thereof.    
     
     
         39 . The reclosable package of  claim 38 , wherein the barrier partition is formed by first and second fin portions extending downward from the respective first and second reclosable elements and are joined to each other.  
     
     
         40 . The reclosable package of  claim 39 , wherein the first and second fin portions are joined to each other along a one-time breakable preferential area of weakness to inhibit tampering with the package prior to being opened.  
     
     
         41 . The reclosable package of  claim 40 , wherein the preferential area of weakness is selected from the group consisting of a score line, a thinned line and a highly oriented region.  
     
     
         42 . The reclosable package of  claim 38 , wherein the barrier partition is formed by at least one integral extension of at least one opposing wall panel.  
     
     
         43 . The reclosable package of  claim 38 , wherein the first layer of the barrier partition comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol, nylon, polyvinylidene chloride or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         44 . The reclosable package of  claim 38 , wherein the barrier partition further includes a second layer, the second layer is a tie layer.  
     
     
         45 . The reclosable package of  claim 44 , wherein the barrier partition further includes a third layer, the third layer is a tie layer and the first layer is located between the second and the third layers.  
     
     
         46 . The reclosable package of  claim 44 , wherein the barrier partition further includes a third layer. the third layer comprises a polyolefin the second layer is located between the first and the third layers.  
     
     
         47 . The reclosable package of  claim 38 , wherein the barrier partition includes an oxygen scavenger or an oxygen absorber.  
     
     
         48 . The reclosable package of  claim 38 , wherein the barrier partition includes a filler.  
     
     
         49 . The reclosable package of  claim 48 , wherein the filler is talc, clay, mica or a nanocomposite.  
     
     
         50 . A fastener to be used in a reclosable bag, the fastener comprising: 
 first and second opposing reclosable elements, the first and second reclosable elements being releasably engageable to each other;    a first fin portion extending downward from the first reclosable element, the first fin portion comprising at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide; and    a second fin portion extending downward from the second reclosable element, the second fin portion comprising at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, the second fin portion and the first fin portion being joined to each other.    
     
     
         51 . The fastener of  claim 50 , wherein the first and second fin portions are joined to each other along a one-time breakable preferential area of weakness to inhibit tampering with the package prior to being opened.  
     
     
         52 . The fastener of  claim 51 , wherein the preferential area of weakness is selected from the group consisting of a score line, a thinned line and a highly oriented region.  
     
     
         53 . The fastener of  claim 50 , wherein the first and second fin portions are joined to each other along respective lower edges thereof.  
     
     
         54 . The fastener of  claim 50 , wherein the first and second fin portions are extruded with each other so as to form a single continuous fin.  
     
     
         55 . The fastener of  claim 50 , wherein a combination of the first and second fin portions has a generally U-shaped or V-shaped cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         56 . The fastener of  claim 50 , wherein the first layers of the first and second fin portions comprise material independently selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, nylon, polyester, ethylene vinyl dichloride, liquid crystal polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, modified polyolefins with barrier properties, polyacrylonitrile, acrylonitriles copolymers, polyacetal, cellophane and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         57 . The fastener of  claim 56 , wherein the first layers of the first and second fin portions comprise material independently selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol, nylon, polyvinylidene chloride and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         58 . The fastener of  claim 56 , wherein each of the first and second fin portions further includes a second layer, the second layer is a tie layer.  
     
     
         59 . The fastener of  claim 58 , wherein each of the first and second fin portions further includes a third layer, the third layer is a tie layer and the first layer is located between the second and the third layers.  
     
     
         60 . The fastener of  claim 58 , wherein each of the first and second fin portions further includes a third layer, the third layer is made from a polyolefin, the second layer is located between the first layer and the third layer.  
     
     
         61 . The fastener of  claim 50 , wherein at least one of the fin portions includes an oxygen scavenger or an oxygen absorber.  
     
     
         62 . The fastener of  claim 50 , wherein at least one of the fin portions includes a filler.  
     
     
         63 . The fastener of  claim 62 , wherein the filler is talc, clay, mica or a nanocomposite.  
     
     
         64 . The fastener of  claim 50 , wherein the first and second fin portions have an oxygen transmission rate less than 100 cm 3  (mil)/100 in 2  (d)(atm) at 23° C. as measured by ASTM D3985-81.  
     
     
         65 . The fastener of  claim 64 , wherein the first and second fin portions have an oxygen transmission rate less than 20 cm 3  (mil)/100 in 2  (d)(atm) at 23° C. as measured by ASTM D3985-81.  
     
     
         66 . The fastener of  claim 65 , wherein the first and second fin portions have an oxygen transmission rate less than 10 cm 3  (mil)/100 in 2  (d)(atm) at 23° C. as measured by ASTM D3985-81.  
     
     
         67 . A fastener to be used in a reclosable bag, the fastener comprising: 
 a first opposing track having a first profile, the first profile comprising at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide; and    a second opposing track having a second profile, the second profile comprising at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, the first and second opposing tracks being releasably engageable to each other.    
     
     
         68 . The fastener of  claim 67 , wherein the first layer of the first and second profiles comprise material independently selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, nylon, polyester, ethylene vinyl dichloride, liquid crystal polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, modified polyolefins with barrier properties, polyacrylonitrile, acrylonitriles copolymers, polyacetal, cellophane and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         69 . The fastener of  claim 68 , wherein the first layers of the first and second profiles comprise material independently selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride, nylon and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         70 . The fastener of  claim 67 , wherein each of the first and second profiles further includes a second layer, the second layer is a tie layer.  
     
     
         71 . The fastener of  claim 70 , wherein each of the first and second profiles further includes a third layer, the third layer is a tie layer and the first layer is located between the second and the third layers.  
     
     
         72 . The fastener of  claim 67 , wherein at least one of the first and second profiles includes an oxygen scavenger or an oxygen absorber.  
     
     
         73 . The fastener of  claim 67 , wherein at least one of the first and second profiles includes a filler.  
     
     
         74 . The fastener of  claim 73 , wherein the filler is talc, clay, mica or a nanocomposite.  
     
     
         75 . The fastener of  claim 67 , wherein the first and second fin portions have an oxygen transmission rate less than 100 cm 3  (mil)/100 in 2  (d)(atm) at 23° C. as measured by ASTM D3985-81.  
     
     
         76 . The fastener of  claim 75 , wherein the first and second fin portions have an oxygen transmission rate less than 20 cm 3  (mil)/100 in 2  (d)(atm) at 23° C. as measured by ASTM D3985-81.  
     
     
         77 . The fastener of  claim 76 , wherein the first and second fin portions have an oxygen transmission rate less than 10 cm 3  (mil)/100 in 2  (d)(atm) at 23° C. as measured by ASTM D3985-81.  
     
     
         78 . A process of applying a coating to a reclosable bag, the process comprising: 
 providing a reclosable bag, the reclosable bag comprising a pair of opposing wall panels joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the opposing sides to create a receptacle space having a mouth end opposite the bottom, a reclosable seal extending along the mouth end and including first and second opposing tracks, the first and second tracks including respective first and second profiles, the first and second opposing tracks being releasably engageable to each other, the first and second tracks being connected to the respective opposing wall panels; and    applying a coating to at least a portion of the first and second tracks, the coating including at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.    
     
     
         79 . The process of  claim 78 , wherein the first and second tracks further include respective first and second fin portions and the applying step includes applying the coating to at least a portion of the first and second profiles and the first and second fin portions.