RECLOSABLE BAG WITH TEAR-AWAY FEATURE
The disclosure relates to a polymeric or similar reclosable specimen package or bag wherein the bio-hazard symbol is printed, typically sideways, on the tear zone. This provides for obliteration of the bio-hazard symbol upon opening of the package and the disposal, if appropriate, of the specimen package or bag in regular trash.
1 . A reclosable package or bag including:
a front panel;
a primary rear panel joined to the front panel thereby creating a specimen storage space;
a tear zone formed along the front panel; and
a symbol or text printed in the tear zone so as to be rendered unreadable when the tear zone is torn.
2 . The reclosable package of claim 1 further including a mouth formed between the front panel and the primary rear panel, the mouth leading to the specimen storage space.
3 . The reclosable package of claim 2 further including a zipper which can reclosably close the mouth.
4 . The reclosable package of claim 3 wherein the front and rear panels are formed of polymeric material.
5 . The reclosable package of claim 4 wherein the symbol or text includes a bio-hazard symbol or marking.
6 . The reclosable package of claim 5 wherein at least a portion of the text is printed in a direction perpendicular to that of the tear zone.
7 . The reclosable package of claim 6 further including a secondary rear panel adjacent to the primary rear panel thereby forming a documentation storage space between the primary and secondary rear panels.
8 . The reclosable package of claim 7 wherein the secondary rear panel is sealed along a lower seal to the primary rear panel proximate to a bottom of the reclosable package.
9 . The reclosable package of claim 8 wherein the secondary rear panel includes a lower portion which extends below the lower seal line.
10 . The reclosable package of claim 9 wherein the lower portion of the secondary rear panel includes a first line of weakness.
11 . The reclosable package of claim 10 wherein the lower portion of the secondary rear panel includes a label portion which is removable by tearing the first line of weakness.
12 . The reclosable package of claim 11 wherein the primary rear panel includes an upper fold and an extension extending from the upper fold to the secondary rear panel.
13 . The reclosable package of claim 12 wherein the extension is sealed to the secondary rear panel by a hard seal.
14 . The reclosable package of claim 12 wherein the extension is sealed to the secondary rear panel by an adhesive seal.
15 . The reclosable package of claim 12 wherein the secondary rear panel includes a second line of weakness.
16 . The reclosable package of claim 15 wherein the second line of weakness is downwardly adjacent from the extension.
17 . The reclosable package of claim 16 wherein the second line of weakness provides access to the document storage space.
18 . The reclosable package of claim 17 wherein the front panel includes usage instructions.
19 . The reclosable package of claim 18 wherein the front panel includes a checklist to identify proper treatment of a specimen within the specimen storage space.
20 . The reclosable package of claim 19 wherein the tear zone comprises a plurality of side-ways V-shaped lines of weakness.