Easy-open strip and bags incorporating the same

Abstract

An easy-open closure arrangement for bags is described. The closure arrangement includes a base web having a pair of longitudinal edges with a pair of perforated tear lines running in the same direction as the longitudinal edges. The perforated tear lines are located substantially equidistant from the longitudinal edges. A frangible layer is attached to one side of the base web with the frangible layer being positioned over the perforated tear lines to obstruct the perforations on one side. A tear bead is attached to the frangible layer on the side of the frangible layer opposite from the base web at a position between the location of the perforated tear lines. Alternative closure arrangements and bags incorporating the closure arrangements are also described.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An easy-open closure arrangement for a package comprising: 
 a base web having a pair of longitudinal edges, a pair of spaced perforated tear lines extending between said longitudinal edges;    a frangible layer attached to one side of said base web overlying said perforated tear lines' perforations.    
     
     
         2 . The easy-open closure arrangement in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a tear bead positioned between said tear lines attached to said frangible layer on a side of said frangible layer opposite from said base web.  
     
     
         3 . The easy-open closure arrangement in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said base web is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic polymer, a paper-based material, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The easy-open closure arrangement in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said perforated tear lines and said tear bead are parallel.  
     
     
         5 . The easy-open closure arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein said tear bead is positioned centrally between said perforated tear lines.  
     
     
         6 . An easy-open bag comprising: 
 a pair of opposing side walls; and    a closure arrangement attached to at least one of said opposing side walls, said closure arrangement including:    a base web having a pair of longitudinal edges, a pair of spaced perforated tear lines extending between said longitudinal edges; and    a frangible layer attached to one side of said base web overlying said perforated tear lines' perforations.    
     
     
         7 . The easy-open bag in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said closure arrangement base web is attached to top ends of both of said opposing side walls thereby forming a top for said bag.  
     
     
         8 . The easy open bag in accordance with said  claim 7  wherein said base web is folded at a position between said perforated tear lines.  
     
     
         9 . The easy open bag in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said frangible layer is attached to the interior side of said base web and further comprising a tear bead attached to said frangible layer on the side of said frangible layer opposite from said base web, wherein said tear bead is positioned between the perforated tear lines.  
     
     
         10 . The easy open bag in accordance with  claim 6  further comprising a clearance opening in one of said side walls and said closure is positioned over said opening.  
     
     
         11 . The easy open bag in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said clearance opening is centrally positioned between said perforated tear lines.  
     
     
         12 . The easy open bag in accordance with  claim 10  further comprising a tear bead adhered to said frangible layer on a side of said frangible layer facing the other of said side walls, wherein said tear bead is positioned between the location of said perforated tear lines and at one end protrudes through said bag thereby providing a tab for opening said bag.  
     
     
         13 . An easy-open bag comprising: 
 a pair of opposing side walls, wherein one of said walls has a pair of spaced perforated tear lines; and    a frangible layer attached to said wall having spaced perforated tear lines, said frangible layer overlying said perforated tear lines' perforations.    
     
     
         14 . The easy open bag in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said frangible layer is attached to the interior side of said wall having spaced perforated tear lines and further comprising a tear bead attached to said frangible layer on the side of said frangible layer opposite from said wall having spaced perforated tear lines, wherein said tear bead is positioned between the perforated tear lines.  
     
     
         15 . The easy open bag in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said tear bead at one end protrudes through said bag thereby providing a tab for opening said bag.