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Tamper evident reclosable sealsRelated Patent Categories: Flexible Bags, With Closure, Independent Closures For Single Access Opening, Having Rib And GrooveTamper evident reclosable seals description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080019619, Tamper evident reclosable seals. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] Reclosable seals are used in a variety of applications, one example being for sealing the opening of a bag. A variety of reclosable seals currently exist, but no one prior to the inventors has created or used the invention described in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0002] While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements. The drawings and detailed description which follow are intended to be merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. [0003] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a bag having a reclosable seal. [0004] FIG. 2 depicts a transverse cross-sectional view of a tamper evident reclosable seal. [0005] FIG. 3 depicts perspective view of a bag having an alternative tamper evident reclosable seal. [0006] FIG. 4 depicts a transverse cross-sectional view of an alternative tamper evident reclosable seal. [0007] FIG. 5 depicts a transverse cross-sectional view of an alternative tamper evident reclosable seal. [0008] FIG. 6 depicts a transverse cross-sectional view of the tamper evident reclosable seal of FIG. 5 after subsequent processing. [0009] FIG. 7 depicts a transverse cross-sectional view of an alternative tamper evident reclosable seal. [0010] FIG. 8 depicts a partial view of a slider and zipper profiles having a tamper evidence device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0011] The following description should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which includes by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. It should therefore be understood that the inventors contemplate a variety of embodiments that are not explicitly disclosed herein. [0012] FIG. 1 depicts a bag (30) having a reclosable seal in the form of a zipper (10). Bag (30) has a right side (32) and a left side (34). Similarly, zipper (10) has a right profile (12) and a left profile (14). Right profile (12) of zipper (10) is secured to right side (32) of bag (30), while left profile (14) of zipper (10) is secured to left side (34) of bag (30). As used herein, terms such as "right," "left," "above," "below," and the like are used simply to refer to the relative positioning of elements in the drawings, and are not intended to be limiting in any way. While the present example includes a bag (30), it will be appreciated that zipper (10) or any other reclosable seal may be used on any other type of container or receptacle, including but not limited to envelopes, pouches, sacks, and the like. As used herein, the terms "container" and "receptacle" shall be read to include anything configured to hold and contain an object or materials. To the extent that the container is a bag, it will be appreciated that any type of bag may be used, including but not limited to gusseted, non-gusseted, paper, plastic, multi-laminate, woven polypropylene bags, and the like. Other suitable containers will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. [0013] It will be appreciated that profiles (12, 14) of zipper (10) may be secured to bag (30) in any suitable fashion. In one embodiment, profiles (12, 14) are secured to bag (30) by a pre-applied, heat-activated adhesive. Such adhesive may be activated by hot air, by hot rolling, or by any other suitable method. In another embodiment, profiles (12, 14) are secured to bag (30) by an epoxy bond. In this embodiment, a first compound is applied to each profile (12, 14) and a second compound is applied to the portions of bag (30) that will ultimately come into contact with profiles (12, 14). The first and second compounds are configured such that, when joined together, the compounds form a physical bond. Accordingly, a bond is formed when profiles (12, 14) are placed in contact with the aforementioned portions of bag (30), thereby securing profiles (12, 14) to bag (30). Alternatively, any other technique may be used to secure profiles (12, 14) to bag (30), including but not limited to heat-sealing, stitching, adhesives, press-sealing, cold welding, pressure bonding, double-sided tape. Where profiles (12, 14) are stitched to bag (30), it will be appreciated that such stitching may include, by way of example only, sewing or ultrasonic stitching. Still other suitable techniques for securing profiles (12, 14) to bag (30) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. [0014] In the present example, profiles (12, 14) comprise an extruded plastic material. Of course, profiles (12, 14) may be formed of any other suitable material, and by any other suitable process. Respective ends (18, 20) of profiles (12, 14) may be secured together by any suitable technique, including but not limited to a hot knife, hot glue, other adhesives, heat sealing, stitching, cold welding, pressure bonding, hooks, tape, clamps, rivets, or any other suitable technique or device. [0015] It will be appreciated that zipper (10) is operable to seal bag (30). In the present example, such sealing occurs upon closure of zipper (10) by engagement of right profile (12) with left profile (14). As used herein, the term "seal" and its variants shall be read to generally imply the prevention of at least a substantial portion material (e.g., solids, gases, and/or liquids) from escaping or entering the container. However, such a "seal" need not per se be perfectly "air tight" or "water tight" as those phrases are commonly used and understood. [0016] As shown in FIG. 2, right profile (12) and left profile (14) each have a pair of complimentary teeth (22) extending the length of the respective profiles (12, 14). Of course, each profile (12, 14) could have a single tooth (12), rather than a plurality of teeth (22). In the present example, closure of zipper (10) results from engagement of teeth (22), thereby effecting a seal of bag (30). In left profile (14), a hinge (24) is located adjacent teeth (22). It will be appreciated that hinge (24) may prevent inadvertent disengagement of teeth (22), such as by outward separation of sides (32, 34) of bag (30) and/or profiles (12, 14). Of course, right profile (12) may include a hinge (24) in addition to or as an alternative to left profile (14) having hinge. Alternatively, any suitable alternative to hinge (24) may be used, including but not limited to no hinge (24) at all. Each profile (12, 14) further comprises a flange region (11), which is adjacent teeth (22). [0017] Engagement or disengagement of profiles (12, 14) at teeth (22) may be effected or otherwise facilitated by a slider (16), which is shown in FIG. 1. Slider (16) is configured to slide longitudinally along zipper (10) to bring profiles (12, 14) together into engagement or force profiles (12, 14) apart for disengagement, depending upon which direction slider (16) is slid. Sliders (16) are well known in the art, and any type of slider (16) may be used. In the present example, each profile (12, 14) has a guide (13), with which slider (16) is engaged. Of course, slider (16) is optional, and any suitable alternative to slider (16) may be used, including but not limited to no slider (16) at all. [0018] As is also shown in FIG. 2, the outer surface of the right side (32) of bag (30) is secured to the inner surface of right profile (12) in flange region (11); while the outer surface of left side (34) of bag (30) is secured to the inner surface of left profile (14) in flange region (11). In another embodiment, sides (32, 34) of bag (30) are secured to the outer surfaces of respective profiles (12, 14). Of course, sides (32, 34) may be secured to profiles (12, 14) in any other configuration. In yet another embodiment, right side (32) of bag (30) and right profile (12) are a homogenous continuum of material (e.g., a single piece); and left side (34) of bag (30) and left profile (14) are a homogenous continuum of material. Still other suitable relative configurations of sides (32, 34) of bag (30) and profiles (12, 14) of zipper (10) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. [0019] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that it may be desirable to provide some kind of assurance or indication as to whether a zipper (10) has been previously opened. In other words, it may be desirable to provide a device that is configured to show whether a zipper (10) and/or bag (30) has been tampered with. As used herein, the term "tamper evidence device," including its variants, shall be read to include any feature, technique, and/or structure that is configured to provide evidence or indication that a bag (30) has been opened or otherwise tampered with. As used herein, the term "tamper" and its variants shall be read to include, but need not be limited to, an act of opening a bag (30) substantially or completely and/or gaining substantial or full access to its contents. Various exemplary devices for providing tamper evidence are shown in FIGS. 2-8. In these examples, the various tamper evidence devices include some type of seal that must be breached when the bag (30) is first opened completely (e.g., the first time complete access to the contents of bag (30) is gained). It will be appreciated, however, that the devices described hereafter are merely exemplary, and that tamper evidence may be provided by a variety of alternative devices. It will also be appreciated that the following examples and/or alternatives thereof may be used in isolation or in combination with one another. In addition, while tamper devices disclosed herein may provide tamper evidence, such devices may also provide other functionality and benefits not explicitly discussed herein. [0020] In FIG. 2, a membrane (26) is positioned adjacent each profile (12, 14). In the present example, membrane (26) comprises a strip of a plastic material. Alternatively, membrane (26) may comprise any other material or combination of materials, including but not limited to fabric, paper, foil, metal, and the like. In one embodiment, membrane (26) comprises a substantially transparent material, while each profile (12, 14) comprises a substantially opaque material. Of course, membrane (26), right profile (12), and/or left profile (14) may have any other property, including but not limited to transparency, translucency, and/or opaqueness, color variations, including combinations thereof. In the present example, the wall thickness of membrane (26) is thinner than the wall thickness of profiles (12, 14). Of course, membrane (26) may alternatively be the same thickness as profiles (12, 14) or thicker than profiles (12, 14). Membrane (26) may be secured to profiles (12, 14) or walls (32, 34) via any suitable technique, including but not limited to heat-sealing, stitching, adhesives, press-sealing, cold welding, pressure bonding, double-sided tape, and the like. In another embodiment, membrane (26) is extruded with profiles (12, 14), such that membrane (26) and profiles (12, 14) comprise a homogenous continuum of material. In yet another embodiment, instead of being secured to profiles (12, 14), membrane (26) is secured to sides (32, 34) of bag (30). In still another embodiment, membrane (26) is secured to profiles (12, 14), and sides (32, 34) are secured to membrane (26). Other suitable configurations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. [0021] Membrane (26) of the present example is configured such that, when bag (30) is first opened, membrane (26) must be broken, torn, or otherwise breached in order to reach the contents of bag (30). Initial breach of membrane (26) may be facilitated by providing perforation (28) or other weakened feature in membrane (26). In one embodiment, membrane (26) includes a central, longitudinal perforation (28) along its length. In another embodiment, membrane (26) includes a longitudinal perforation along its junction each profile (12, 14). In still another embodiment, membrane (26) includes a longitudinal perforation along its junction with side (32 and/or 34) of bag (30). In yet another embodiment, a string, tab, or the like may be pulled to rip membrane (26). Still other ways of facilitating breach of membrane (26) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Continue reading about Tamper evident reclosable seals... Full patent description for Tamper evident reclosable seals Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Tamper evident reclosable seals patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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