WO2011001223A1

WO2011001223A1 - Means for the closure of full-opening packages

Info

Publication number: WO2011001223A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/052921
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mario Latronico
Original assignee: PFM SpA
Current assignee: PFM SpA
Priority date: 2009-07-03
Filing date: 2009-07-03
Publication date: 2011-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2012-01-03

Abstract

A closable package such as a square -base bag (10) with gusset type opening (11), this gusset type opening having the two largest sides (12, 13) of the package connected to each other by two gussets (14, 15), with "V" shaped indentations towards the interior of the bag when in the closed position, this package being characterised by the fact that, as a closing element, it uses a "Velcro" type band (16), which has a totally self-adhesive single grip surface.

Description

"MEANS FOR THE CLOSURE OF FULL-OPENING PACKAGES"

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TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention concerns a closure system designed to be applied to closable packages.

More specifically, the invention refers to a closure system for closable packages which are generally the type containing food products, typically represented by potato chips, peanuts or fresh products such as cheese, sliced meats or sausages of various kinds or similar.

The closure system according to the invention is particularly suitable for closable type packages with a gusset, in which, when closed, the upper part of the package presents a flat surface with double "V" shaped indentations at the sides. The closure system according to the invention is also suitable for other types of closable packages, including simple or "cushion" type bags or similar.

The invention substantially foresees the use of a "Velcro" type band as the closing element, this band presenting a totally self-adhesive surface with single grip, not the male/female classic Velcro closure. This makes it possible to close the package even if the angles at the double "V" shaped indentations at the sides of the upper part of the package are very narrow.

This invention can be applied in the foodstuff packaging sector, in particular for closable type packages, for example for fresh products or similar.

BACKGROUND ART

It is known that there are numerous different solutions on the market in the foodstuff packaging sector. For the packaging of food products, especially fresh products, it is generally necessary for bag type packages, made from flexible material using synthetic film such as polyethylene for foodstuffs or similar, to be closable after being opened for the first time in order to keep the product fresh for subsequent use.

This closure of the bags is usually achieved by means of so-called "zip" elements, consisting of pairs of male/female bands that can be positioned inside the package opening edge, so that the two elements forming the pair face each other on opposite sides. A manually sliding cursor performs the opening/closing operations of the "zip" and thus of the package.

This system, traditionally recognised and used for fresh food products, carries out its function perfectly well for bag-type packages, where the contact surfaces are perfectly aligned one in front of the other.

The problem with zip type closures is encountered when the package is not the flat bag type, but has a four-sided base with a gusset type opening at the top.

The gusset type opening is formed in such a way that two surfaces of the package are joined by a pair of sides that are indented within the package, substantially resembling a double "V" shape.

This makes it possible for the package to contain firm products, such as cheese or similar, with a certain thickness, allowing the base of the package to assume a four-sided shape.

The closure by means of "zip" type systems of packages with a gusset shape is difficult, and is in fact practically impossible due to the excessive thickness of the zip bands, and of the succession of flat angles of the package, that is to say the three zero-angle corners at each side .

This package shape prevents the use of zip type closures unless one of the two double "V" sectors is kept closed, i.e. sealed, thereby drastically reducing the opening space of the package.

This obviously impedes access to the product and thwarts the practical nature of the considerable capacity of the four-sided package.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention proposes to provide a closure system designed to be applied to closable packages for food products, that can eliminate or at least reduce the drawbacks described above .

The invention also proposes to provide a closure system for application on closable packages that is simple to produce and even more simple and efficient to use, guaranteeing perfect closure of the package and keeping the food product contained inside the package perfectly intact.

This is achieved by means of a closure system for application on closable packages, whose features are described in the main claim.

The dependent claims of the solution in question describe advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The main advantages of this solution, in addition to those deriving from its construction simplicity, concern first of all the fact that the zip closure is replaced by a band with a single grip Velcro type adhesive surface, that is to say it has a totally self-adhesive surface which adheres perfectly to itself without the need to use the traditional male and female surfaces .

The Velcro with single adhesive surface has a very limited thickness and it adapts perfectly to any surface, including surfaces with a gusset, that can thus be opened and subsequently closed as needed.

The closing system designed to be applied on closable packages according to the invention therefore substantially consists of a single Velcro band with limited thickness, applied around the entire inner edge of the top opening of the package.

Once the sealed top of the package has been cut, the single Velcro band allows the package to be closed again by simply pressing the edges of the package together, including the parts of the package with "V" shaped indentations, obtaining perfect practically airtight closure of the package and consequently keeping the contents fresh.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will become evident on reading the description given below of one embodiment provided as a non-binding example, together with the help of the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 represents a schematic view of a package for food products which uses the closure system according to the invention;

figure 2 is a schematic view of the upper edge of the package in which the single Velcro closure system according to the invention is applied;

figures 3 to 5 show three consecutive closure steps of the package using the closure system according to the invention;

figures 6 to 9 represent schematic views of a

"cushion" type package. DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying figures, the closure system according to the invention is particularly suitable for application on closable packages such as the one indicated with the reference number 10 in figure 1, that is to say bags with a four-sided base and gusset opening 11. The closure system according to the invention is also suitable for any type of closable package, including the "cushion" type or similar, for example the type shown in figures 6 to 9.

The package with a gusset type opening is shown in figure 2 in which the two largest sides 12 and 13 of the package are connected to each other by two gussets 14 and 15, with "V" shaped indentations towards the interior of the package when in the closed position.

According to the invention, the closure element is a "Velcro" type band 16, which has a totally self-adhesive single grip surface, and not the male/female grip as with classic Velcro.

This type of Velcro has a very limited thickness and can be applied by means of heat-glueing or another similar more appropriate technique, exactly following the entire inner edge of the opening of the package.

This makes it possible to close the package even in the presence of very narrow angles in the "V" shaped indentations in the gussets 14 and 15 at the top of the package .

The single Velcro band 16 is applied instead of the classic zip closure.

This Velcro band 16 has a single self-adhesive surface which adheres perfectly to itself without the need to use the traditional male and female surfaces . The Velcro with the single self-adhesive surface has a very limited thickness and adapts perfectly to any surface, including gusset surfaces, which can thus be opened and subsequently closed again as needed.

As can be seen in figure 1, the package presents an upper heatsealed area 17 with airtight closing, positioned above a pre-perforated line 18. To open the package it is necessary to tear off the heatsealed area 17 which is separated by the pre-perforated line 18.

Once the airtight seal 17 of the package 10 has been torn off, the single Velcro band 16 allows the package to be closed by simply pressing the edges against one another, including the edges of the package at the "V" shaped gussets, obtaining perfect practically airtight closure of the package and consequently keeping the contents fresh.

The closure system according to the invention is also suitable for any type of closable package, including simple bags or "cushion" type or similar, for example the type shown in figures 6 to 9, in which the single Velcro band is applied along the entire edge of the package, so that to close the package it is sufficient to press the edges together so that the Velcro completely closes the open edges of the package.

The invention is described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. It is nevertheless clear that the invention is susceptible to numerous variations that lie within the scope of its disclosure, within the framework of technical equivalents .

Claims

1. A closable package such as a square-base bag, a "cushion" shaped bag or similar (10) with gusset type (11) or simple opening, this package being characterised in that, as a closing element, it uses a "Velcro" type band (16) , which has a totally self- adhesive single grip surface.

2. A closable package such as a square-base bag according to the previous claim, characterised in that the gusset type opening means that the two largest sides (12, 13) of the package are connected to each other by two gussets (14, 15), with "V" shaped indentations towards the interior of the bag when in the closed position, and in that the "Velcro" type band (16) , with a totally self-adhesive single grip surface, is applied along the entire edge of the package below the pre-perforated tear-off opening line.

3. A closable package such as a square-base bag according to either of the foregoing claims, characterised in that this type of Velcro (16) has a very limited thickness and can be applied by means of heat-glueing or another similar more appropriate technique, exactly following the entire inner edge of the opening (11) of the package.

4. A closable package such as a square-base bag according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it allows the package to be closed even in the presence of very narrow angles in the "V" shaped gussets (14, 15) at the top of the package .

5. A closable package such as a square-base bag according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the Velcro band (16) has a single self-adhesive surface which adheres perfectly to itself.

A closable package such as a square-base bag according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it presents an upper heatsealed area (17) with airtight closing, positioned above a pre-perforated line (18) , and in that to open the package it is necessary to tear off the heatsealed area (17) which is separated by the pre-perforated line (18) .

A closable package such as a square-base bag according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the Velcro band (16) with the single self-adhesive surface has a very limited thickness and adapts perfectly to any surface, including gusset surfaces, which can thus be opened and subsequently closed again repeatedly, keeping the contents of the package fresh.

A closable package such as a square-base bag according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that once the airtight closure side of the package (10) has been torn off, the single Velcro band (16) allows the package to be closed by simply pressing the edges against one another, including the edges of the package at the "V" shaped gussets.

A closable package such as a square-base bag according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the closure system according to the invention is perfectly suitable for all types of closable packages, including the "cushion" type or similar, in which the single Velcro band (16) is applied along the entire edge of the package, so that to close the package it is sufficient to press the edges together so that the self-adhesive Velcro (16) completely closes the open edges of the package.