Package with tamper evident closure, and methods

Abstract

A reclosable package having a zipper closure that includes areas of weakness that, upon opening of the zipper closure, permanently damage at least one of the closure members that form the zipper closure. The package user can readily discern if the zipper closure has been previously opened.

1 . A tamper-evident polymeric package, comprising:
 (a) a surrounding wall having first and second side edges and a bottom edge, together forming an interior;   (b) a first closure member and a second closure member engageable with the first closure member on the surrounding wall opposite the bottom edge and extending laterally between the first side edge and the second side edge of the surrounding wall, the first closure member comprising a plurality of weakness regions positioned laterally along the first closure member and configured and arranged to be removed from the first closure member upon disengagement from the second closure profile   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first closure member comprises a base and a first closure profile extending from the base, the weakness regions being present in the first closure profile. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the weakness regions are defined by at least one cut in the first closure profile. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the weakness regions are defined by two cuts in the first closure profile. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the weakness regions are pyramidal. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the weakness regions comprise a color different than a color of the second closure profile. 
     
     
         7 . A zipper closure comprising:
 (a) a first closure member having a first closure profile extending from a first base;   (b) a second closure member having a second closure profile extending from a second base, the second closure member configured for engagement with the first closure member; and   (c) the first closure member having a plurality of weakness regions positioned along a length of the first closure member, the weakness regions configured and arranged to deform the first closure member upon disengagement from the second closure member.   
     
     
         8 . The zipper of  claim 7 , wherein the weakness regions are configured and arranged to deform the first closure profile upon disengagement from the second closure member. 
     
     
         9 . The zipper of  claim 8 , wherein the weakness regions are configured and arranged to remove a portion of the first closure profile upon disengagement from the second closure member. 
     
     
         10 . The zipper of  claim 7 , wherein the weakness regions comprise at least one slit in the first closure profile. 
     
     
         11 . The zipper of  claim 10 , wherein the weakness regions comprise slits in the first closure profile. 
     
     
         12 . The zipper of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one slit defines a pyramidal shape. 
     
     
         13 . The zipper of  claim 7 , wherein the weakness regions comprise a color different than a color of the second closure profile. 
     
     
         14 . A tamper-evident package comprising:
 (a) a surrounding wall having first and second side edges and a bottom edge, together forming an interior, the package having a width extending form the first side edge to the second side edge;   (b) a first closure member and a second closure member engageable with the first closure member on the surrounding wall opposite the bottom edge, the first closure member comprising a plurality of weakness regions along the width of the package, the weakness regions configured and arranged to be removed from the first closure member upon disengagement of the first closure profile from the second closure profile.   
     
     
         15 . A tamper-evident package according to  claim 14  wherein:
 (a) the first closure member comprises a base and a first closure profile extending from the base, the weakness regions being present in the first closure profile.   
     
     
         16 . A tamper-evident package according to  claim 14  wherein:
 (a) the weakness regions are defined by at least one cut in the first closure profile.   
     
     
         17 . A tamper-evident package according to  claim 14  wherein:
 (a) the weakness regions are pyramidal.   
     
     
         18 . A method of making a zipper closure member; the method comprising:
 (a) providing a source closure member; the source closure member including a first profile extending from a base;   (b) contacting the base against an outer surface of a positioner; the positioner having a diverter element operably connected thereto;   (c) rotating the positioner to put the diverter into contact with the base while also moving the source closure member to engage a cutting element into the first profile; and   (d) cutting the first profile to form a plurality of weakness regions positioned along a length of the source closure member.   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein:
 (a) the step of providing includes feeding the source closure member from a spool into a cutting system.   
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein:
 (a) the step of rotating the positioner includes rotating the positioner about an eccentric axis to move the outer surface in an eccentric path.   
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein:
 (a) the step of cutting the first profile includes forming the weakness regions in pyramidal shapes.   
     
     
         22 . A method of using a zipper closure; the method comprising:
 (a) mating first and second closure members together; each of the first and second closure members having a base and a profile extending from the base; and   (b) after mating, separating the first and second closure members including removing a plurality of chunks from at least one of the profiles to prevent the first and second closure members to again be mated.   
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22  wherein:
 (a) the step of separating includes removing a plurality of chunks to leave volumes void of profile spaced along a length of the profile.   
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 22  wherein:
 (a) the step of separating includes removing chunks having a pyramidal shape.   
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 22  wherein:
 (a) the step of mating includes causing a color change in the first and second closure members.