High-burst, easy-opening slider zipper for reclosable packages or bags

Abstract

The reclosable package or bag includes a zipper which allows for high burst strength while maintaining easy opening capability. The zipper includes first and second profiles which include respective first and second exterior flanges which are glued or heat sealed to corresponding first and second panels of the package or bag. The first profile further includes an interior flange. A peel seal is formed between the interior flange and the second exterior flange. In this configuration, a high load on the panels puts the peel seal into a shear mode, which results in greatly increased strength of the peel seal and therefore of both the zipper and the package or bag. After the high load subsides, the peel seal returns to the configuration in which it can be separated by a much lower peel force, such as is applied by a consumer during ordinary opening.

1 . A method for manufacturing reclosable packages, comprising the steps of:
 providing a zipper assembly, the zipper assembly including interlocking elements and a separable connection, wherein a load on the zipper assembly causes a shear force on the separable connection;   providing material for walls of the reclosable packages;   applying a hot melt adhesive to the zipper assembly or the walls of the reclosable package; and   bringing the zipper assembly and the walls of the reclosable package together whereby the hot melt adhesive forms a bond therebetween.   
   
   
       2 . The method for manufacturing reclosable packages of  claim 1  wherein the applying step is performed by a nozzle. 
   
   
       3 . The method of manufacturing reclosable packages of  claim 2  wherein the nozzle applies the hot melt adhesive in a downward direction. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of temporarily applying pressure the zipper assembly to the walls of the reclosable package. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of applying a hot melt adhesive is performed by a station which is parallel to the step of bringing the zipper assembly and the walls of the redo sable package together. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of applying a hot melt adhesive performed by a station which is divergent with the step of bring the zipper assembly and the walls of the reclosable package together. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  further including the steps of filling the package with contents through a bottom of the package and sealing the bottom of the package. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of filling the package with contents through the top of the package. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of forming gussets between the walls of the package. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of modifying the surface energy of at least a portion of the zipper assembly and the walls of the reclosable packages. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the material for walls of the reclosable package is a multi-wall paper laminate. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the material for walls of the reclosable package is a woven polypropylene. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the material for walls of the reclosable package is a laminate construction. 
   
   
       14 . A method for manufacturing reclosable packages, comprising the steps of:
 providing a zipper assembly;   providing material for walls of the reclosable packages;   applying a hot melt reactive adhesive to the zipper assembly or the walls of the reclosable package; and   bringing the zipper assembly and the walls of the reclosable package together whereby the hot melt reactive adhesive forms a bond therebetween.   
   
   
       15 . The method for manufacturing reclosable packages of  claim 14  wherein the applying step is performed by a nozzle. 
   
   
       16 . The method of manufacturing reclosable packages of  claim 15  wherein the nozzle applies the hot melt reactive adhesive in a downward direction. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  further including the step of temporarily applying pressure the zipper assembly to the walls of the reclosable package. 
   
   
       18 . A method for manufacturing reclosable packages, comprising the steps of:
 providing a zipper assembly;   providing material for walls of the reclosable packages;   applying a hot melt cross-linkable reactive adhesive to the zipper assembly or the walls of the reclosable package; and   bringing the zipper assembly and the walls of the reclosable package together whereby the hot melt cross-linkable reactive adhesive forms a bond therebetween.   
   
   
       19 . The method for manufacturing reclosable packages of  claim 18  wherein the applying step is performed by a nozzle. 
   
   
       20 . The method of manufacturing reclosable packages of  claim 19  wherein the nozzle applies the hot melt cross-linkable reactive adhesive in a downward direction. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18  further including the step of temporarily applying pressure the zipper assembly to the walls of the reclosable package. 
   
   
       22 . A method for manufacturing reclosable packages, comprising the steps of:
 providing a zipper assembly;   providing material for walls of the reclosable packages;   applying a hot melt cross-linkable polyurethane reactive adhesive to the zipper assembly or the walls of the reclosable package; and   bringing the zipper assembly and the walls of the reclosable package together whereby the hot melt cross-linkable polyurethane reactive adhesive forms a bond therebetween.   
   
   
       23 . The method for manufacturing reclosable packages of  claim 22  wherein the applying step is performed by a nozzle. 
   
   
       24 . The method of manufacturing reclosable packages of  claim 23  wherein the nozzle applies the hot melt cross-linkable polyurethane reactive adhesive in a downward direction. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22  further including the step of temporarily applying pressure the zipper assembly to the walls of the reclosable package. 
   
   
       26 . A method for manufacturing reclosable packages suitable for packaging a rated load, comprising the steps of:
 providing a zipper assembly;   providing material for walls of the reclosable packages;   providing an adhesive chosen to maintain adhesion between the walls of the reclosable package and the zipper assembly for at least 72 hours at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, with at least 2.5 times the rated load applied to the zipper assembly;   applying the adhesive to the zipper assembly or the walls of the reclosable package;   bringing the zipper assembly and the walls of the reclosable package together whereby the adhesive forms a bond therebetween.   
   
   
       27 . The method for manufacturing reclosable packages of  claim 26  wherein the applying step is performed by a nozzle. 
   
   
       28 . The method of manufacturing reclosable packages of  claim 27  wherein the nozzle applies the adhesive in a downward direction. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26  further including the step of temporarily applying pressure the zipper assembly to the walls of the reclosable package. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of applying surface energy to a portion of the walls or zipper assembly. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the step of applying surface energy comprises the step of corona discharge or plasma treatment. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of applying surface energy to a portion of the walls or zipper assembly. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the step of applying surface energy comprises the step of corona discharge or plasma treatment. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising the step of applying surface energy to a portion of the walls or zipper assembly. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the step of applying surface energy comprises the step of corona discharge or plasma treatment. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising the step of applying surface energy to a portion of the walls or zipper assembly. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the step of applying surface energy comprises the step of corona discharge or plasma treatment. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a bottom of the package is formed opposite from the zipper assembly and further including the steps of filling the package with contents through the bottom and subsequently closing the bottom. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 18  wherein a bottom of the package is formed opposite from the zipper assembly and further including the steps of filling the package with contents through the bottom and subsequently closing the bottom. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 22  wherein a bottom of the package is formed opposite from the zipper assembly and further including the steps of filling the package with contents through the bottom and subsequently closing the bottom. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 26  wherein a bottom of the package is formed opposite from the zipper assembly and further including the steps of filling the package with contents through the bottom and subsequently closing the bottom.