Transverse direction zipper tape

Abstract

The reclosable container or bag ( 100 ) includes a zipper tape ( 18 ) with interlocking profiles ( 14, 16 ) of a zipper ( 12 ). First and second lines of perforation ( 28, 30 ) are formed parallel to and between the interlocking profiles ( 14, 16 ). Furthermore, the zipper tape ( 18 ) is looped so as to align the first and second lines of perforation ( 28, 30 ) with each other thereby forming a perforated cap structure ( 10 ). An additional layer of material ( 24 ) is formed to cover the first and second lines of perforation ( 28, 30 ) to maintain a hermetic seal prior to tearing of the first and second lines of perforation ( 28, 30 ). Typically, a notch ( 120, 122 ) is formed in at least one of the crush areas ( 116, 118 ) on the end of the zipper tape ( 18 ) to direct the user's tearing force to the lines of perforation ( 28, 30 ) thereby providing access to the zipper ( 12 ) and providing subsequent evidence of prior opening of reclosable container or bag ( 100 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reclosable container including: 
 a first film panel and a second film panel with at least some edges thereof joined together;    a zipper tape with first and second interlocking profile members, said first and second interlocking profile members being separated by a portion of width of said zipper tape, said portion of width of said zipper tape being shaped into a loop thereby allowing said first and second interlocking profile members to engage with each other;    said zipper tape including at least one line of weakness spaced between and parallel to said first and second interlocking profile members;    said zipper tape including an additional layer covering one side of said at least one line of weakness thereby providing a seal to prevent passage of matter through said at least one line of weakness prior to tearing of said at least one line of weakness;    said zipper tape being sealed to an interior of said first and second film panels inwardly adjacent from one edge where said first and second film panels are joined together, whereby tearing said at least one line of weakness provides access to said first and second interlocking profile members, and subsequently provides evidence of access to said first and second interlocking profile members.    
     
     
         2 . The reclosable container of  claim 1  wherein said zipper tape includes a first end, a second end, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, wherein said first interlocking profile is inwardly adjacent from and parallel to said first lateral edge, said second interlocking member is inwardly adjacent from and parallel to said second lateral edge.  
     
     
         3 . The reclosable container of  claim 2  wherein said first end includes a first crush area wherein a portion of said first side is sealed to a portion of said second side and wherein said second end includes a second crush area wherein a portion of said first side is sealed to a portion of said second side.  
     
     
         4 . The reclosable container of  claim 2  wherein said first and second crush areas extend to said first end and said second end, respectively.  
     
     
         5 . The reclosable container of  claim 2  wherein said first and second crush areas are spaced inwardly from said first and second ends, respectively.  
     
     
         6 . The reclosable container of  claim 2  wherein said first end is sealed wherein a portion of said first side is sealed to a portion of said second side and wherein said second end is sealed wherein a portion of said first side is sealed to a portion of said second side.  
     
     
         7 . The reclosable container of  claim 3  wherein said first and second crush areas include notches aligned with said at least one line of weakness.  
     
     
         8 . The reclosable container of  claim 7  wherein said at least one line of weakness includes two parallel lines of weakness and wherein said portion of width of said zipper tape shaped into a loop aligns said two parallel lines of weakness with each other.  
     
     
         9 . The reclosable container of  claim 8  wherein said two parallel lines of weakness are two parallel lines of perforation.  
     
     
         10 . The reclosable container of  claim 9  wherein said loop includes an additional layer of material inwardly from said zipper tape.  
     
     
         11 . The reclosable container of  claim 10  wherein said zipper tape includes a cylindrical stiffener located inwardly from an apex of said loop.  
     
     
         12 . A zipper tape for application in the transverse direction on a web of material, the zipper tape including a web of material with first and second parallel interlocking profile members spaced from each other, at least one line of weakness in said web positioned between said first and second parallel interlocking profile members, and an additional layer covering one side of said at least one line of weakness thereby providing a seal to prevent passage of matter through said at least one line of weakness prior to tearing of said at least one line of weakness.  
     
     
         13 . The zipper tape of  claim 12  further including a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side, wherein said first interlocking profile is inwardly adjacent from and parallel to said first side, said second interlocking member is inwardly adjacent from and parallel to said second side.  
     
     
         14 . The zipper tape of  claim 13  wherein said first end includes a first crush area wherein a portion of said first side is sealed to a portion of said second side and wherein said second end includes a second crush area wherein a portion of said first side is sealed to a portion of said second side.  
     
     
         15 . The zipper tape of  claim 13  wherein said first and second crush areas extend to said first end and said second end, respectively.  
     
     
         16 . The zipper tape of  claim 13  wherein said first and second crush areas are spaced inwardly from said first and second ends, respectively.  
     
     
         17 . The zipper tape of  claim 12  wherein said first end is sealed wherein a portion of said first side is sealed to a portion of said second side and wherein said second end is sealed wherein a portion of said first side is sealed to a portion of said second side.  
     
     
         18 . The zipper tape of  claim 14  wherein said first and second crush areas include notches aligned with said at least one line of weakness.  
     
     
         19 . The zipper tape of  claim 18  wherein said at least one line of weakness includes two parallel lines of weakness and wherein said zipper tape is looped thereby aligning said two parallel lines of weakness with each other.  
     
     
         20 . The reclosable container of  claim 19  wherein said two parallel lines of weakness are two parallel lines of perforation.