Easy-open shrouded slider-zipper assembly for reclosable bag

Abstract

A reclosable package comprises a pre-made bag with a post-applied shrouded slider-zipper assembly installed in the mouth of the bag. The bag material comprises a layer made of paper and a layer of thermoplastic material laminated to the paper layer. The shrouded slider-zipper assembly comprises a pair of flanged zipper parts made of thermoplastic material, a slider mounted to the zipper, and a folded web of thermoplastic film material joined to the layer of thermoplastic material of the bag. The flanges of the zipper parts are respectively joined to opposing sides of the folded web. The package is made by an automated process whereby an individual shrouded slider-zipper assembly is cut from a continuous chain of assemblies, inserted into the open mouth of a pre-made bag and tack sealed in place. The assembly is then fully sealed to the bag by a drag sealer.

1 : A reclosable bag comprising: 
 a receptacle having an interior volume at least partially filled with product and a mouth at the top of said interior volume;    a shroud having a generally U-shaped profile, said shroud defining a shrouded space and comprising a first surface on one side of said shroud that bounds said shrouded space and a second surface on the other side of said shroud that faces outward, wherein a first portion of said shroud is joined to said first wall and a second portion of said shroud is joined to said second wall, said shroud covering said mouth of said receptacle with at least a portion of said shrouded space being disposed outside of said interior volume of said receptacle; and    a slider-zipper assembly disposed in said shrouded space and joined to third and fourth portions of said shroud on opposing sides of said shrouded space.    
   
   
       2 : The reclosable bag as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle further comprises a first side gusset on one side of said reclosable bag interconnecting said first and second walls, and a second side gusset on an opposite side of said reclosable bag interconnecting said first and second walls, said first and second walls and said first and second side gussets partly defining said interior volume.  
   
   
       3 : The reclosable bag as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first portion of said shroud is joined to a portion of an interior surface of said first wall, and said second portion of said shroud is joined to a portion of an interior surface of said second wall.  
   
   
       4 : The reclosable bag as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said shroud comprises a folded film web.  
   
   
       5 : The reclosable bag as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said slider-zipper assembly comprises: 
 a flexible zipper comprising first and second flanged zipper parts, said first flanged zipper part comprising a first profiled closure member and a first flange, and said second flanged zipper part comprising a second profiled closure member and a second flange, said first and second profiled closure members being mutually interlockable, said first flange having a portion joined to said third portion of said shroud, and said second flange having a portion joined to said fourth portion of said shroud; and    a slider mounted to said zipper and configured to close portions of said zipper as said slider is moved in a first direction along said zipper and to open portions of said zipper as said slider is moved in a second direction along said zipper opposite to said first direction.    
   
   
       6 : The reclosable bag as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said first flange has a second portion joined to a fifth portion of said shroud, said third and fifth portions of said shroud being on the same side of said shrouded space.  
   
   
       7 : The reclosable bag as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said first flange has a line of weakened tear resistance.  
   
   
       8 : The reclosable bag as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said shroud has at least one line of weakened tear resistance extending in a lengthwise direction.  
   
   
       9 : The reclosable bag as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a pull bead joined to a fifth portion of said shroud, said pull bead extending in a lengthwise direction.  
   
   
       10 : The reclosable bag as recited in  claim 2 , wherein a fifth portion of said shroud is joined to a portion of a panel of said first side gusset, and a sixth portion of said shroud is joined to a portion of a panel of said second side gusset.  
   
   
       11 : A reclosable bag comprising: 
 a receptacle comprising first and second walls that partly define an interior volume, said receptacle having a mouth at the top of said interior volume and being closed at the bottom;    a shroud having a generally U-shaped profile, said shroud defining a shrouded space and comprising a first surface on one side of said shroud that bounds said shrouded space and a second surface on the other side of said shroud that faces outward, wherein a first portion of said shroud is joined to said first wall and a second portion of said shroud is joined to said second wall, said shroud covering said mouth of said receptacle with at least a portion of said shrouded space being disposed outside of said interior volume of said receptacle;    a flexible zipper disposed within said shrouded space and comprising first and second flanged zipper parts, said first flanged zipper part comprising a first profiled closure member and a first flange, and said second flanged zipper part comprising a second profiled closure member and a second flange, said first and second profiled closure members being mutually interlockable, said first flange having a portion joined to a third portion of said shroud, and said second flange having a portion joined to a fourth portion of said shroud, said third and fourth portions of said shroud being on opposite sides of said shrouded space, said first and second portions of said shroud being located intermediate said third and fourth portions; and    a slider mounted to said zipper and configured to close portions of said zipper as said slider is moved in a first direction along said zipper and to open portions of said zipper as said slider is moved in a second direction along said zipper opposite to said first direction.    
   
   
       12 : The reclosable bag as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said receptacle further comprises a first side gusset on one side of said reclosable bag interconnecting said first and second walls, and a second side gusset on an opposite side of said reclosable bag interconnecting said first and second walls, said first and second walls and said first and second side gussets partly defining said interior volume.  
   
   
       13 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 : A reclosable bag comprising: 
 a receptacle comprising a first layer made of paper and a layer of thermoplastic material laminated to said first layer, said receptacle having a mouth and an interior volume;    a shrouded slider-zipper assembly attached to said mouth of said receptacle, said shrouded slider-zipper assembly comprising first and second flanged zipper parts made of thermoplastic material, a slider mounted to said first and second zipper parts, and a folded web of thermoplastic film material joined to said layer of thermoplastic material of said receptacle, said first flanged zipper part comprising a first profiled closure member and a first flange, and said second flanged zipper part comprising a second profiled closure member and a second flange, said first and second profiled closure members being mutually interlockable, said first flange having a portion joined to one side of said folded web, and said second flange having a portion joined to the other side of said folded web; and    product contained inside said interior volume of said receptacle.    
   
   
       22 : The reclosable bag as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said receptacle further comprises a second layer of paper laminated to said first layer of paper, said second layer of paper having printing thereon.  
   
   
       23 : The reclosable bag as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said receptacle comprises first and second mutually opposing walls, a first side gusset on one side of said reclosable bag interconnecting said first and second walls, and a second side gusset on an opposite side of said reclosable bag interconnecting said first and second walls, said first and second walls and said first and second side gussets partly defining said interior volume.  
   
   
       24 : The reclosable bag as recited in  claim 23 , wherein said one side of said web is joined to a first portion of said first wall, and said other side of said web is joined to a portion of said second wall, a portion of a first panel of said first side gusset, and a portion of a first panel of said second side gusset.  
   
   
       25 : The reclosable bag as recited in  claim 24 , wherein a portion of a second panel of said first side gusset is joined to a second portion of said first wall, and a portion of a second panel of said second side gusset is joined to a third portion of said first wall.  
   
   
       26 - 28 . (canceled)