TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to plastic bags, and more particular!/ to an opening apparatus for use with a plastic bag, being reclosabie or not. BACKGROUND

[0002] Thermoplastic bags (or pouches) are now commonplace for storing items such as foodstuff and the like. Eventually, if the items in the pouch are air or moisture sensitive, or need to be safely contained within the bag, a variety of closure devices for sealing the pouch have been designed. The closure devices typically include registrable multiple profiles disposed on opposed inner surfaces of pouch walls. In one example, two sets of inner profiles are disposed on pouch walls wherein each set includes a male and a female closure element. The profiles are engaged with each other by applying closing forces against the outer surface of the pouch walls, typically by sliding a users thumb and forefinger along the entire length of the clsoure device, while simultaneously applying the forces. While the closure of the seal is elegant and straightforward, problems often arise when the user comes to re-open the closed pouch. Generally speaking, opening the closed pouch is difficult and cumbersome to achieve.

[0003] A number of zipper systems have been designed to permit opening and closing of the seal.

[0004] Ausnit in U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,880 discloses a bag which has two zipper strip bases secured to opposing wall panels of the bag. The bases each includes at least two arrow-shaped profiles extending therefrom to engage with the profiles of the opposing base, wherein the profiles of the same base are adjacent one another. [0005] Malin in U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,597 discloses a zipper strip for a reclosabie package, wherein the zipper strip includes a male and a female profile. There are at least two male interlocking members that extend from a base toward the opposite female interlocking members, wherein each male member has an asymmetrical arrow-shape so that the zipper is easier to open from one side than the other. One or both of the profiles includes at least one high compression member that extends from a base thereof to touch a base of the opposite profile to allow the profiles to be sealed without crushing or distorting the interlocking members.

[0006] Pawloski et al. in US patent No. 7,137,736, disclose a rectosab!e pouch comprises a body portion having first and second opposing bag walls, wherein each bag wall has an internal side. First and second closure mechanisms are disposed on the internal sides of the first and second bag walls, wherein the closure mechanisms are parallel and spaced between about D.1 inch (2.54 mm) and 0.3 inch (7.62 mm) apart. Further, the first closure mechanism may have a first closure characteristic and the second closure mechanism may have a second closure characteristic different than the first closure characteristic,

[0007] Pawloski et al. in US patent No. 7,850,368 disclose a reclosable pouch comprises a body portion having first and second pouch walls. A first closure mechanism is disposed on internal sides of the first and second walls. The first closure mechanism includes a first female profile having first and second spaced legs and a first male profile. A second closure mechanism is disposed on the internal sides of the first and second pouch wails. The second closure mechanism includes a second female profile having third and fourth spaced legs and a second male profile. One of the first, second, third, or fourth spaced legs is longer than the other leg of the same female profrfe. Further, the first and second closure mechanisms comprise differing opening and closing characteristics.

[0008] Gzybowski in US patent No. 7,029,178, discloses one-way, zip-locking closure for bag-type containers that include slider zipper arrangements. The locking mechanism includes a series of registration structures that is provided along one side of the mouth of the containers and a catch mechanism that is provided within the slider. The catch mechanism engages the series of registration structures as the slider is moved to close the mouth of the container, and thereby prevents movement of the slider in the opposite direction.

[0009] Fratti et al. in US patent No. 8,262,289 disclose a reversible fastener is provided for a resealable bag-type container having first and second opposing wall panels, each of the first and second opposing wall panels having an interior face and an exterior face. The fastener includes first and second closure mechanisms, The first closure mechanism includes first and second complementary interlockable components disposed on the interior face of each of the first and second opposing wall panels proximate a top periphery of the first and second opposing wall panels. The second closure mechanism includes first and second complementary interlockable components disposed on the exterior face of each of the first and second opposing wall panels proximate a top periphery of the first and second opposing wall panels.

[00010] Most examples above rely on a zipper-like mecahnism to open and close the seal in the bag. Like any zipper-like mechanism, the problems arise when the zipper becomes disenaged from the mechanism. Furthermore, the zipper mechanism can be fouled by dirt and particles making them difficult to move. Also, the additional complexity of having an additional piece in an otherwise simple design adds to the cost of manufacture. [00011] For certain bag designs that do not have a zipper-like mecahnism, one of the bag panels is longer on one side than the opposing panel above the seal so that the user can break the seal by merely moving apart the two unsealed portions of the panels and then pulling the seal apart. However, this seemingly simple approach can be difficult if the user has slippery fingers such as, for example, cooking oil on their fingers. Such plastic bags are provided either on a roll and typically reieasabiy secured to one another in an end-to-end configuration with prepunched scored lines as found in fresh vegetable and fruit departments of food stores/markets, or simply separately from one another. [00012] Thus there is a need for an opening apparatus for use with a plastic pouch, being reclosable or not, where the apparatus allows for a quick and easy opening of the pouch.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[00013] The present overcomes many of these problems, and provides a unique and advantageous design for a novel non-slip opening apparatus for a reclosable pouch or bag similar to the Ziplock™ designs currently on the market. The opening apparatus uses a discrete, textured area which permit the thumb and forefinger to apply forces against the area to quickly and easily open the bag by breaking the seal which typically runs adjacent and across the entire length of one edge of the bag.

[00014] Accordingly, there is provided an opening apparatus for a plastic pouch having a pouch opening located along an edge thereof between opposing inner faces of first and second panels, the apparatus comprising:

[00015] a) a first discrete gripping area located substantially over a first portion of an outer face of the first panel adjacent the pouch opening; and

[00016| b) a second discrete gripping area located substantially over a second portion of an outer face of the second panel adjacent the pouch opening and substantially in register with the first discrete gripping area, at least one of the first and the second discrete gripping areas being textured so that an oblique application, relative to the pouch opening, of opening forces thereagainst locally moves the first and second panels relative to one another so as to open the pouch.

[00017] In one example, the plastic pouch is reclosable and has a seating strip with first and second registrable profiles located along the pouch opening, and wherein the first and second discrete gripping areas are located adjacent the first and second registrable profiles, respectively, and wherein at least one of the first and the second discrete gripping areas is textured so that the oblique application relative to the seating strip of opening forces thereagainst separates the closed first and second registrable profiles from each other so as to open the pouch.

[00018] In one example, the first discrete gripping area includes a first body having a first outer surface, the first body being connected to the first portion of the first panel adjacent the first registrable profile; and the second discrete gripping area includes a second body having a second outer surface, the second body being connected to a second portion of the second panel adjacent the second registrable profile. At least one of the first and the second outer surfaces being textured so that the application of oblique opening forces thereagainst separates the first and second closed registrable profiles from each other. Both the first and second outer surfaces of the first and the second bodies are textured. The first and the second bodies each being located on either side of the sealing strip. The first and second bodies are located at about a center portion of the sealing strip. The apparatus includes two sets of first and second bodies, the sets being spaced apart from one another along the sealing strip. The apparatus includes three sets of firsts and second bodies, the sets being spaced apart from one another along the sealing strip.

[00019] In one example, the first and second discrete gripping areas are S-shaped.

[00020] In one example, the first and second discrete gripping areas include a plurality of protrusions.

[00021] in another example, the first and second bodies are S-shaped.

[00022] In another example, the first and second bodies are continuous along a length of the sealing strip.

[00023] Accordingly, in another aspect there is provided an opening apparatus for a plastic pouch, the pouch having a pouch opening located along an edge thereof between opposing inner faces of first and second panels, the apparatus comprising: [00024] a) a first body having a first outer surface, the first body being connected to a first portion of an outer face of the first panel adjacent the pouch opening; and

[00025] b) a second body having a second outer surface, the second body being connected to a second portion of an outer face of the second panel adjacent the pouch opening and substantially in register with the first body, at least one of the first and the second outer surfaces being textured so that an oblique application relative to the pouch opening of opening forces thereagainst locally moves the first and second panels relative to one another other so as to open the pouch.

[00026] In one example, the plastic pouch is reclosable and has a sealing strip with first and second registrable profiles located along the pouch opening, and wherein the first and second bodies are located adjacent the first and second registrable profiles, respectively, and wherein at least one of the first and the second bodies is textured so that the obfique application relative to the sealing strip of opening forces thereagainst separates the closed first and second registrable profiles from each other so as to open the pouch.

[00027] In one example, at least one of the first and the second outer surfaces being textured so that the application of oblique opening forces thereagainst separates the first and second closed registrable profiles from each other. Both the first and second outer surfaces of the first and the second bodies are textured. The first and the second bodies each being located on either side of the sealing strip. The first and second bodies are located at about a center portion of the sealing strip.

[00028] In one example, the apparatus includes two sets of first and second bodies, the sets being spaced apart from one another along the sealing strip.

[00029] in another example, the apparatus includes three sets of first and second bodies, the sets being spaced apart from one another along the sealing strip.

[00030] In one example, the first and second outer surfaces include a plurality of protrusions. [00031] In yet another example, the first and second bodies are S-shaped.

[00032] In another example, the first and second bodies are continuous along a length of the sealing strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00033] These and other features of that described herein will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:

[00034] FIG. 1 is a front view of a closed reclosable pouch with an embodiment of an opener in accordance with the present invention; [00035] FIG. 2 is a font view of a number of openers located along a closed reclosable pouch seal;

[00036] FIG. 3 is a front view of the reclosable pouch in an open configuration;

[00037] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing a user's thumb and forefinger engaging the opener and applying opening forces (arrows also being parallel to the panels of the pouch as shown in FIG. 2) thereaginst across the closed seal;

[00038] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing the opened seal;

[00039] FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of the opener taken along line 6 of FIG. 2;

[00040] FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a continuous opener in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[00041] FIG. 8 is a front view of another alternative embodiment of a continuous opener in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[00042] FIG. 9 is a front view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 7 shown on a plastic bag with no reclosable seal; [00043] FIG, 10 is a partially broken front view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 7 shown on another plastic bag with no reclosable seal; and

[00044] FIG. 10 is a partially broken front view of another alternative embodiment of a local opener, shown on another plastic bag with no reciosable seal and handles, DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00045] Referring now to FIGs. 1 and 3, there is illustrated generally at 10 an embodiment of an opening apparatus in accordance with the present invention for use with a reciosable pouch 12. The reclosable pouch 12 includes three permanently sealed sides 14 or edges and a sealing strip 16 which extends substantially adjacent and across the entire length of a fourth side 18 or edge. The sealing strip 16 include two opposing profiled inner faces (first and second respectively) 20, 22 which define a pouch opening 24. The profiled inner faces 20, 22 are registrable and when forced together form a temporary seal which car be broken by using the openiing apparatus 10 described herein. The reclosable pouch 12 includes first and second panels or sheets 11, 13, which are sealed around the edges 14. The second panel 13 is longer than the first panel 1 1 such that above the sealing strip 16, a first extension 19 of the second panel 13 is longer than a second extension 21 of the first panel 11.

[00046] Referring to FIG. 1, a first discrete gripping area 26 is located substantially over a first outer portion 28 of the first registrable inner profile 20. A second discrete gripping area 30 is located substantially over a second outer portion 32 of the second registrable profile 22 substantially in register with the first discrete gripping area 26.

[00047] Referring now to FiGs. 1, 4, 5 and 6, at least one of the first and the second discrete gripping areas 26, 30 has a texture which permits, in one example, a thumb 34 and a forefinger 36 of one hand to apply oblique (relative to the strip 26), and mainly within the plane of the pouch 12 (as shown by arrow of FIG. 2), opening forces against the gripping areas 26, 30 to separate the closed registered profiles 20, 22 from each other so as to open the pouch. In the presence of a sealing strip 16, the oblique opening forces (within the plane of the pouch 12) essentially need to be at an angle from both the direction of the sealing strip 16 and the direction perpendicular thereto, while in the absence of a sealing strip, any direction of the opening forces are operable. As best illustrated in FIG. 6, both the discrete areas 26, 30 have a plurality of protrusions 38 or nubbins disposed substantially across the entire gripping area 26, 30. Although protrusions 38 are illustrated, it should be pointed out that a person skilled in the art would understand that any type of surface texture can be used such as, for example, ribs, non-slip material and the like. [00048] Referring now to FIGs. 4, 5 and 6, the first discrete gripping area 26 includes a first raised body 40 which includes a first outer surface 42. The first body 40 is connected to the first outer portion 28 of the first registrable profile 20. The second discrete gripping area 30 includes a second raised body 44 which includes a second outer surface 46. The second body 44 is connected to the second outer portion 32 of the second registrable profile 22. Thus when viewed in cross section, as seen in FIGs. 4 and 5, the raised bodies 40, 44 provide sufficient resistive area for the thumb 34 and the forefinger 36 to obliquely push against to break the sealing strip 16 and open the pouch 12. In the case of the raised bodies 40, 44, both outer surfaces 42, 46 are preferably textured. [00049] As best seen in FIGs 1 , 2 and 3, the first and the second bodies 40, 44 are each located on either side of the sealing strip 16.

[00050] Referring still to FIGs. 1 , 2 and 3, the number and location of the opening apparatuses 10 will depend on the length of the sealing strip 16 and how firmly the sealing strip 16 is sealed. The examples show a single opening apparatus 10, which is located at or near the center of the sealing strip 16. Other numbers include two or three opening apparatuses 10. The preferably equal spacing of the opening apparatuses 10 from one another are both aesthetically pleasing and also provide the most efficient way of opening the reclosabie pouch 12. [00051] The examples illustrated throughout show an S-shaped opening apparatus 10. The S-shape allows the location of the apparatus centrally over the sealing strip 16. Other shapes such as spots or the like are contemplated by the inventor, provided they permit easy opening using a single oblique application of force relative to the strip 16 against the textures surfaces, the force being substantially in the plane of the surfaces (as shown in FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 7, the opening apparatus 10 is shown as a continuous shape along the strip 16 with gripping areas 26, 30. Although not shown, the opening apparatus can be a circular, oval, or indeed any shape which allows for a non-slip opening of the sealing strip 16. [00052] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown another embodiment of the opening apparatus 10 being essentially continuous areas 26, 30 all along the length of the strip 16. The continuous opening apparatus 10 is shown having the shape cf a continuous broken line 50 (as a plurality of adjacent V-shaped opening apparatuses) extending generally below the strip 16 on the outer face of the first panel 11 , and an opposite, and preferably mirror image, continuous broken line 52 extending generally above the strip 16 on the outer face of the second panel 13. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGs. 7 and 8, the fourth edge 18 of at least one of the panels 11 , 13, and preferabiy the edge 18 of the first panel 11, is bulgy (as a lip) in order to improve its gripping by a user. [00053] Referring more specifically to FIGs. 9 to 1 1 , there are shown alternative embodiments 10 of opening apparatuses of the present invention shown on a pouch or a plastic bags 12' with no reciosable seal. In FIG. 9, the gripping areas 26, 30 are essentially located adjacent the unsealed opening edge 18 having a non-rectilinear shape essentially defining closing tabs 54 (such as found in garbage bags or the like). As shown in FIG. 1 1 , the plastic bag 12" could aslo be provided with 'handles' 56, in which case the gripping areas 26 (and 30 not shown since on the back side) are preferably simply local such as in the shape of at least one spot or the like at predetermined location(s) adjacent and along the opening edge 18 and adjacent the handles 56. ft is noted that when such bags 12' are attached to one another via predetermined score lines (as represented by thick dashed lines), the egde 18' of the handle portion 56 are obviously sealed. Now referring to FIG. 10, the gripping areas 26, 30 are essentially continuous along the fourth edge 18 of the bag 12', which is particularly suitable for plastic bags attached to each other (again via score lines) such as the one coming in the form of large rolls typically found in vegetable and fruit departments of food stores/markets.

[00054] From the foregoing description, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein to adapt it to various usages and conditions.