Reclosable bag having a repulpable zipper

Abstract

A zipper for a reclosable bag includes a first interlocking element, and a second interlocking element. The first interlocking element and the second interlocking element are configured to cooperate to selectively open and close the zipper. One or both of the first interlocking element and the second interlocking element are formed of at least 85% repulpable material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reclosable bag comprising:
 walls forming an enclosure; and   a mounting web coupled with the walls, the mounting web formed from a first material comprising a repulpable material;   a base portion coupled with the mounting web; and   interlocking elements coupled with the base portion, the interlocking elements configured to engage each other to hold the enclosure closed and release from each other to open the enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The reclosable bag of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion and the interlocking elements are formed from a second material. 
     
     
         3 . The reclosable bag of  claim 2 , wherein the base portion and the interlocking elements are formed from the second material that differs from the first material of the mounting web. 
     
     
         4 . The reclosable bag of  claim 2 , wherein the second material is a water soluble resin with a filler. 
     
     
         5 . The reclosable bag of  claim 4 , wherein the water soluble resin is polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         6 . The reclosable bag of  claim 4 , wherein the filler is cellulose. 
     
     
         7 . The reclosable bag of  claim 4 , wherein the filler is calcium carbonate. 
     
     
         8 . The reclosable bag of  claim 4 , wherein the filler is clay. 
     
     
         9 . The reclosable bag of  claim 4 , wherein the filler is talc. 
     
     
         10 . The reclosable bag of  claim 1 , wherein the repulpable material is a paper-based material. 
     
     
         11 . A reclosable bag comprising:
 walls forming an enclosure; and   a mounting web coupled with the walls, the mounting web including a repulpable material;   a base portion coupled with the mounting web; and   interlocking elements coupled with the base portion, the interlocking elements configured to engage each other to hold the enclosure closed and release from each other to open the enclosure, wherein at least one of the base portion or the interlocking elements is formed from a second material that differs from the repulpable material of the mounting web.   
     
     
         12 . The reclosable bag of  claim 11 , wherein both the base portion and the interlocking elements are formed from the second material. 
     
     
         13 . The reclosable bag of  claim 11 , wherein the second material is a water soluble resin with a filler. 
     
     
         14 . The reclosable bag of  claim 13 , wherein the water soluble resin is polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         15 . The reclosable bag of  claim 13 , wherein the filler is cellulose. 
     
     
         16 . The reclosable bag of  claim 13 , wherein the filler is calcium carbonate. 
     
     
         17 . The reclosable bag of  claim 13 , wherein the filler is clay. 
     
     
         18 . The reclosable bag of  claim 13 , wherein the filler is talc. 
     
     
         19 . The reclosable bag of  claim 11 , wherein the repulpable material is a paper-based material. 
     
     
         20 . A reclosable bag comprising:
 walls forming an enclosure; and   a mounting web coupled with the walls, the mounting web formed from a paper-based repulpable material;   a base portion coupled with the mounting web; and   interlocking elements coupled with the base portion, the interlocking elements configured to engage each other to hold the enclosure closed and release from each other to open the enclosure, wherein the base portion and the interlocking elements are formed from polyvinyl alcohol with a filler that includes at least one of cellulose, calcium carbonate, clay, or talc.