Reclosable seal with handle

Abstract

A container has a reclosable zipper seal. The zipper includes a slider that facilitates opening and closing of the zipper. The container also has a handle. The handle may be secured to the zipper. The handle does not compromise the utility, function, or performance of the container, the zipper, or the slider. The handle may remain secured to the container after the container has been opened. The container may also include a tamper evidence device, such as a membrane, which provides an indication as to whether the container has been substantially opened. The tamper evidence device may be part of the container, the zipper, the slider, or combinations thereof.

1 . A container system, comprising: 
 (a) a container, comprising a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the first side wall and second side wall define an opening, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall each have an inner surface and an outer surface;    (b) a zipper positioned at the container opening, the zipper comprising: 
 (i) a first interlocking section having an inner surface, an outer surface, and one or more teeth,  
 (ii) a second interlocking section having an inner surface, an outer surface, and one or more teeth, and  
 (iii) a slider positioned adjacent each of the first interlocking section and the second interlocking section,  
 wherein the zipper is operable to selectively provide a seal of the container opening upon engagement between the one or more teeth of the first interlocking section and the one or more teeth of the second interlocking section; and  
   (c) a handle member.    
   
   
       2 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the first side wall of the container is secured to the inner surface of the first interlocking section, wherein the outer surface of the second side wall of the container is secured to the inner surface of the second interlocking section.  
   
   
       3 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle member is secured to the outer surface of one of the first interlocking section or second interlocking section.  
   
   
       4 . The container system of  claim 1 , further comprising a membrane secured to the inner surface of each of the first interlocking section and the second interlocking section.  
   
   
       5 . The container system of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second sides of the container are secured to the first and second interlocking sections at respective container securing locations on the first and second interlocking sections, wherein the membrane is secured to the first and second interlocking sections at respective membrane securing locations on the first and second interlocking sections.  
   
   
       6 . The container system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the respective membrane securing locations is positioned between the one or more teeth and the container securing location of each of the first and second interlocking sections.  
   
   
       7 . The container system of  claim 4 , wherein the membrane is not resealable.  
   
   
       8 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle member comprises a flange, wherein the flange is secured to one of the first interlocking section or the second interlocking section.  
   
   
       9 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle member is resiliently urged to maintain a downward orientation.  
   
   
       10 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein an end of the handle member is removably secured to a portion of the container.  
   
   
       11 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle member comprises a plurality of handle openings.  
   
   
       12 . The container system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of handle members, wherein each handle member has a handle opening.  
   
   
       13 . The container system of  claim 1 , further comprising a tamper evidence device.  
   
   
       14 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle member comprises a bend positioned adjacent a handle flange.  
   
   
       15 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle member is adhered to one of the first interlocking section or the second interlocking section.  
   
   
       16 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle member is not sewed to the zipper.  
   
   
       17 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the container may be opened without removing the handle member.  
   
   
       18 . A container system, comprising: 
 (a) a bag, the bag comprising an opening defined by a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall each have an inner surface and an outer surface;    (b) a zipper positioned adjacent the bag opening, the zipper comprising: 
 (i) a first interlocking section having an inner surface, an outer surface, and one or more teeth adjacent the inner surface,  
 (ii) a second interlocking section having an inner surface, an outer surface, and one or more teeth adjacent the inner surface, wherein the zipper is configured to provide a seal upon engagement between the one or more teeth of the first interlocking section and the one or more teeth of the second interlocking section, and  
 (iii) a slider, wherein the slider is configured to engage and disengage the teeth of the first and second interlocking sections; and  
   (c) one or more handle members secured to at least one of the first interlocking section, the second interlocking section, or the bag.    
   
   
       19 . A method for preparing a container system, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing a reclosable seal, the reclosable seal comprising a pair of interlocking sections, each interlocking section having teeth, wherein the teeth of one of the interlocking sections are configured to engage with the teeth of the other interlocking section; and    (b) securing at least one handle member to the reclosable seal, wherein the act of securing at least one handle member comprises securing at least one of the handle members to one of the interlocking sections.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising securing the reclosable seal to a bag.