IP Library Granted Patent US 7,254,873
Granted Patent B2
US 7,254,873 · App. 10/228,236 · Granted Aug 14, 2007

Scored tamper evident fastener tape

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,254,873
App. No.
10/228,236
Granted
Aug 14, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A reclosable fastener tape includes a first fastener strip and a second fastener strip that is adapted to mate with the first fastener strip in a reclosable fashion. A sheet connects the first fastener strip to the second fastener strip. The sheet has an unpunctured tear line formed between the first fastener strip and the second fastener strip for providing a tamper evident hermetic seal when the fastener tape is sealed with a bag.

Claims (19)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a reclosable adapted and configured for subsequent attachment to the mouth of a bag, said fastener tape including;

a first fastener strip having a first interlockable profile;

a second fastener strip having a second interlockable profile constructed and arranged to mate with said first interlockable profile in a reclosable fashion; and

a sheet connecting said first fastener strip to said second fastener strip, said sheet having a nonlinear tear line, a first portion of said tear line extending across one of said first profile or said second profile, a second portion of said tear line extending generally parallel to the one said profile, said tear line providing a tamper evident seal after said fastener tape is attached to the bag mouth.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said tear line is unpunctured and said tamper evident seal is hermetic.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said sheet forms a hood around said first fastener strip and said second fastener strip.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said hood has a second tear line.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein: said hood is connected to said first fastener strip along a connection region; said hood forms a closed end; and said tear line has a contour for preserving integrity of components of the bag that are fused together at end stops, said contour including a pair of first portions positioned between said mating profiles and said closed end, a second portion positioned between said mating profiles and said connection region, and a pair of transition portions connecting said first portions to said second portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said sheet extends below said first and second fastener strips.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said tear line has intermittent high and low scored portions for producing a zipping sound when said sheet is torn apart.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: wherein said first fastener strip and said second fastener strip are connected together at a plurality of end stops; and a plurality of sliders received over said first fastener strip and said second fastener strip, each said slider being between a pair of end stops for opening and closing said mating profiles.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: said first fastener strip has an inner face facing said second fastener strip; and said sheet is connected to said first fastener strip at said inner face.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: said first fastener strip has an outer face facing away from said second fastener strip; and said sheet is connected to said first fastener strip at said outer face.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said sheet is integrally formed with said first fastener strip and second fastener strip.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a slider for interlocking and unlocking said first strip and said second strip, said slider being slidably engaged to said first fastener strip and said second fastener strip along a path, said first strip and said second strip being joined to one another by an endstop for obstructing the removal of said slider, said tear line extending across a portion of the width of said sheet from a position above said endstop to a position below the pat of said slider.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first fastener strip has a first top side, said second fastener strip has a second top side, and said first top side is adjacent said second top side prior to attachment of said fastener tape to the bag mouth, and said sheet connects over said first top side and said second top side after attachment of said fastener tape to the bag mouth.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a plurality of sliders for interlocking and unlocking said first profile and said second profile, said sliders being slidably engaged to said first fastener strip and said second fastener strip.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tear line is a first unpunctured tear line and said sheet includes a second unpunctured tear line located proximate to said second fastener strip.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2010
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: PLIANT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 023792/0577 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2005
From: PLIANT CORPORATION
To: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Reel/Frame 016107/0204 →
SECOND PRIORITY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 26, 2003
From: PLIANT CORPORATION
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 014215/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 28, 2003
From: PLIANT CORPORATION; PLIANT SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 014201/0128 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2002
From: STOLMEIER, ROBERT C.; EDELMAN, PAUL F.
To: PLIANT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 013232/0436 →