Zipper for transverse direction front panel pouch

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a zipper design, with or without a leading flange, to improve front panel zipper fabrication and end use applications. The profiles of the zipper include a plurality of interlocking elements, which may include C-shaped, J-shaped or repeating male interlocking elements. In the unflanged version, a portion of the interlocking elements of one of the profiles is sealed directly to the interior of a bag on a first side of the front panel bag opening, while the base of the other profile is sealed on a second side of the front panel bag opening, aligned so that interlocking elements of one profile can interlock with interlocking elements of the other profile.

1 . A zipper for reclosable bags, comprising: 
 a first interlocking profile, including a first base and first interlocking elements extending therefrom;    a second interlocking profile, including a second base and second interlocking elements extending therefrom;    wherein said first and second bases are free of flanges;    a portion of said interlocking elements of said first interlocking element are intended to be sealed to an interior of the reclosable bag on a first side of an opening of the reclosable bag; and    wherein said base of said second interlocking element is intended to be sealed to an interior of the reclosable bag on a second side of an opening of the reclosable bag, said second side being opposite to said first side.    
   
   
       2 . The zipper of  claim 1  wherein said first and second interlocking elements are C-shaped and comprised of two locking arms, distal ends of said locking arms including inwardly extending detent hooks.  
   
   
       3 . The zipper of  claim 1  wherein said first and second interlocking elements are male locking elements with a post and an enlarged head at the distal end of said post.  
   
   
       4 . The zipper of  claim 1  wherein said first and second interlocking elements are J-shaped and comprised of a post and a hook at a distal end of said post.  
   
   
       5 . The zipper of  claim 1  wherein said first and second interlocking profiles are made from very high melting index material to facilitate bonding to the film of the reclosable bag.  
   
   
       6 . The zipper of  claim 1  wherein said first and second interlocking profiles are made from low density polyethylene.  
   
   
       7 . The zipper of  claim 1  wherein said interlocking elements are regularly spaced along said bases to allow for variations in alignment of said first and second profiles in an interlocked configuration.  
   
   
       8 . A reclosable bag, comprising; 
 front and rear walls formed from a web;    a line of weakness in said front wall which can be torn in order to provide an opening;    a zipper which can reclose said opening;    said zipper including a first interlocking profile, including a first base and first interlocking elements extending therefrom and a second interlocking profile, including a second base and second interlocking elements extending therefrom;    wherein said first and second bases are free of flanges;    wherein a portion of said interlocking elements of said first interlocking element are sealed to an interior of the reclosable bag on a first side of said line of weakness; and    wherein said base of said second interlocking element is sealed to an interior of the reclosable bag on a second side of said line of weakness, said second side being opposite to said first side.    
   
   
       9 . The reclosable bag of  claim 8  wherein said first and second interlocking elements are C-shaped and comprised of two locking arms, distal ends of said locking arms including inwardly extending detent hooks.  
   
   
       10 . The reclosable bag of  claim 8  wherein said first and second interlocking elements are male locking elements with a post and an enlarged head at the distal end of said post.  
   
   
       11 . The reclosable bag of  claim 8  wherein said first and second interlocking elements are J-shaped and comprised of a post and a hook at a distal end of said post.  
   
   
       12 . The reclosable bag of  claim 8  wherein said first and second interlocking profiles are made from very high melting index material to facilitate bonding to the film of the reclosable bag.  
   
   
       13 . The reclosable bag of  claim 8  wherein said first and second interlocking profiles are made from low density polyethylene.  
   
   
       14 . The reclosable bag of  claim 8  wherein said interlocking elements are regularly spaced along said bases to allow for variations in alignment of said first and second profiles in an interlocked configuration.  
   
   
       15 . The reclosable bag of  claim 8  wherein said first interlocking profile is sealed to said rear wall.  
   
   
       16 . A zipper for reclosable bags, comprising: 
 a first interlocking profile, including a first base and first interlocking elements extending therefrom;    a second interlocking profile, including a second base and second interlocking elements extending therefrom;    said first interlocking profile including a flange;    wherein said interlocking elements are regularly spaced along said bases to allow for variations in alignment of said first and second profiles in an interlocked configuration;    wherein said flange is intended to be sealed to an interior of the reclosable bag on a first side of an opening of the reclosable bag;    wherein said base of said second interlocking element is intended to be sealed to an interior of the reclosable bag on a second side of an opening of the reclosable bag, said second side being opposite to said first side; and    wherein a width of said at least one flange is less than a width of said interlocking profiles wherein said interlocking elements are formed.    
   
   
       17 . The zipper of  claim 16  wherein said first and second interlocking elements are C-shaped and comprised of two locking arms, distal ends of said locking arms including inwardly extending detent hooks.  
   
   
       18 . The zipper of  claim 16  wherein said first and second interlocking elements are male locking elements with a post and an enlarged head at the distal end of said post.  
   
   
       19 . The zipper of  claim 16  wherein said first and second interlocking elements are J-shaped and comprised of a post and a hook at a distal end of said post.  
   
   
       20 . The zipper of  claim 16  wherein said first and second interlocking profiles are made from low density polyethylene.  
   
   
       21 . The zipper of  claim 16  wherein said second interlocking profile includes at least one flange.  
   
   
       22 . The zipper of  claim 16  further including a peel seal between said first and second interlocking profiles.  
   
   
       23 . A reclosable bag, comprising; 
 front and rear walls formed from a web;    a line of weakness in said front wall which can be torn in order to provide an opening;    a zipper which can reclose said opening;    said zipper including a first interlocking profile, including a first base and first interlocking elements extending therefrom and a second interlocking profile, including a second base and second interlocking elements extending therefrom;    said first interlocking profile including a flange;    wherein said interlocking elements are regularly spaced along said bases to allow for variations in alignment of said first and second profiles in an interlocked configuration;    wherein said flange is sealed to an interior of the reclosable bag on a first side of an opening of the reclosable bag;    wherein said base of said second interlocking element is sealed to an interior of the reclosable bag on a second side of an opening of the reclosable bag, said second side being opposite to said first side; and    wherein a width of said at least one flange is less than a width of said interlocking profiles wherein said interlocking elements are formed.    
   
   
       24 . The reclosable bag of  claim 23  wherein said first and second interlocking elements are C-shaped and comprised of two locking arms, distal ends of said locking arms including inwardly extending detent hooks.  
   
   
       25 . The reclosable bag of  claim 23  wherein said first and second interlocking elements are male locking elements with a post and an enlarged head at the distal end of said post.  
   
   
       26 . The reclosable bag of  claim 23  wherein said first and second interlocking elements are J-shaped and comprised of a post and a hook at a distal end of said post.  
   
   
       27 . The reclosable bag of  claim 23  wherein said first and second interlocking profiles are made from low density polyethylene.  
   
   
       28 . The reclosable bag of  claim 23  wherein said second interlocking profile includes at least one flange.  
   
   
       29 . The reclosable bag of  claim 23  further including a peel seal between said first and second interlocking profiles.  
   
   
       30 . The reclosable bag of  claim 23  wherein said first profile is sealed to said rear wall.