Recloseable zipper closure, recloseable pouch, and methods

Abstract

A zipper closure arrangement for use with a reclosable package includes: a first attachment flange and a second attachment flange; a first zipper profile member extending from the first attachment flange; a second zipper profile member extending from the second attachment flange and positioned to releasably mate with the first zipper profile member. The first and second attachment flanges each having an area of weakness and are sealed together along a seal region. The seal region is between the area of weakness and terminal ends of the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange. This results in a tear-off region that is straight and consistent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plastic zipper closure arrangement for use with a reclosable package; the closure arrangement comprising:
 (a) a first attachment flange and a second attachment flange positioned opposing each other;   (b) a first zipper profile member extending from the first attachment flange;   (c) a second zipper profile member extending from the second attachment flange and positioned to releasably mate with the first zipper profile member;
 (i) the first and second zipper profile members being positioned between a package side and a consumer side of the first and second attachment flanges; 
   (e) the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange each having an area of weakness on the consumer side; and   (f) the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange being sealed together along a seal region on the consumer side; the seal region being between the area of weakness and terminal ends of the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange.   
     
     
         2 . The plastic zipper closure arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the seal region is an inseparable permanent bond. 
     
     
         3 . The plastic zipper closure arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the area of weakness comprises a lower thickness of the first attachment flange and second attachment flange than a remaining portion of the first attachment flange and second attachment flange. 
     
     
         4 . The plastic zipper closure arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the area of weakness has a thickness less than 50% of the thickness of a remaining portion of the first and second attachment flanges. 
     
     
         5 . The plastic zipper closure arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the area of weakness is a laser score line. 
     
     
         6 . The plastic zipper closure arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the seal region is a very low density polyethylene or polyethylene copolymer sealant. 
     
     
         7 . The plastic zipper closure arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the seal region extends only partially between the area of weakness and terminal ends of the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange. 
     
     
         8 . The plastic zipper closure arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the seal region extends fully between the area of weakness and terminal ends of the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange. 
     
     
         9 . The plastic zipper closure arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the first zipper profile member is a male profile member, and the second zipper profile member is a female profile member. 
     
     
         10 . The plastic zipper closure arrangement of  claim 1  wherein each of the areas of weakness includes:
 (a) first and second opposite end edges with a longitudinal length extending between the end edges; and 
 (b) a first tear notch in the first end edge. 
 
     
     
         11 . The plastic zipper closure arrangement of  claim 10  wherein each of the areas of weakness includes a second tear notch in the second end edge. 
     
     
         12 . A recloseable pouch comprising:
 (a) first and second opposing polymeric panels, having first and second opposite side edges; a bottom; and an openable and closeable mouth opposite of the bottom; the polymeric panels defining an interior volume therebetween; the mouth providing access into the interior volume when in an open condition;   (b) the pouch having a closure arrangement along the mouth; the closure arrangement including:
 (i) a first attachment flange and a second attachment flange positioned opposing each other;
 (A) the first attachment flange being non-removably secured to the first polymeric panel; 
 (B) the second attachment flange being non-removably secured to the second polymeric panel; 
 
 (ii) a first zipper profile member extending from the first attachment flange; 
 (iii) a second zipper profile member extending from the second attachment flange and positioned to releasably mate with the first zipper profile member;
 (A) the first and second zipper profile members being positioned between a package side and a consumer side of the first and second attachment flanges; 
 
 (iv) the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange each having an area of weakness on the consumer side; and 
 (v) the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange being sealed together along a closure seal region on the consumer side; the closure seal region being between the area of weakness and terminal ends of the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange. 
   
     
     
         13 . The recloseable pouch of  claim 12  wherein the area of weakness comprises a lower thickness of the first attachment flange and second attachment flange than a remaining portion of the first attachment flange and second attachment flange. 
     
     
         14 . The recloseable pouch of  claim 12  wherein the seal region is an inseparable permanent bond. 
     
     
         15 . The recloseable pouch of  claim 12  wherein the area of weakness has a thickness less than 50% than a thickness of a remaining portion of the first and second attachment flanges. 
     
     
         16 . The recloseable pouch of  claim 12  wherein the closure seal region extends only partially between the area of weakness and terminal ends of the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange. 
     
     
         17 . The recloseable pouch of  claim 12  wherein the closure seal region extends fully between the area of weakness and terminal ends of the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange. 
     
     
         18 . The recloseable pouch of  claim 12  wherein each of the areas of weakness includes:
 (a) first and second opposite end edges with a longitudinal length extending between the end edges; and 
 (b) a first tear notch in the first end edge. 
 
     
     
         19 . The recloseable pouch of  claim 12  wherein each of the areas of weakness includes a second tear notch in the second end edge. 
     
     
         20 . The recloseable pouch of  claim 12  further including a header seal joining the first and second opposing polymeric panels together along terminal ends of the first and second polymeric panels; the closure seal region being between the header seal and the area of weakness. 
     
     
         21 . A method of opening the recloseable pouch; the recloseable pouch having a storage pouch section and a removable pouch section; the method comprising:
 (a) opening the pouch by tearing off the removable pouch section from the storage pouch section along an area of weakness; the removable pouch section including opposing polymeric panels; each panel having attached thereto:
 (i) an attachment flange with the area of weakness; 
 (ii) a closure seal region sealing together the attachment flanges; and 
 (iii) a header seal sealing together the polymeric panels. 
   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the storage pouch section includes a recloseable zipper closure attached to the attachment flanges adjacent to a remaining portion of the area of weakness.