FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] This patent application refers to a package seal and a process for application of a seal to a package, preferably an animal feed package; therefore, its field of application is directed to the animal feed segment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Packages for animal food products, such as animal feed, are largely known, and these products are usually supplied in different quantities, from small to large packages, which obviously depend on the type and characteristics of the animals to be fed.

[0003] It is a fact that such packages, after being opened, either are not properly closed or are closed with improvised elements, such as adhesive tapes, clothespins or other household items that are not as effective as desired and needed.

[0004] After an animal feed package is opened and the first portion is taken, it is then closed, as previously said, in an improvised manner, or is not even closed at all. Such aspects cause the products contained in it to get dry, resulting in changes in food flavor and other characteristics, mainly due to their contact with oxygen.

STATE OF THE ART

[0005] In the current state of the art, document MU8802348-6 is known, filed on 10/22/2008 and published on 06/29/2010, regarding the ARRANGEMENT INTRODUCED IN AN ANIMAL FOOD PACKAGE, which can be applied on different packages, whether these are hard or not, including those of box type or in the form of a bag, made out of cellulosic material, mainly cardboard, paper or card stock, whether laminated or not, as well as those of bag type, which can be made out of different plastic films, whether metallic or not, with one or more layers. Its internal volume is divided by at least two separate compartments, with the same volume or with different volumes, both for separate packaging of animal foods with different characteristics or flavors, such two compartments being separated from each other by using at least one partition, which is preferably in the transverse direction or in the direction of the shorter width, the edges of which are joined with the walls of the package, whether it is in the form of a box or bag.

[0006] Another state of the art document is MU8300728-8, filed on 06/03/2003 and published on 10/28/2003, under title "DISPOSIQAO INTRODUZIDA EM EMBALAGEM PARA RACAO E SIMILARES" (ARRANGEMENT INTRODUCED IN ANIMAL FEED AND SIMILAR PACKAGES), which describes a model of container for storage of food products, functionally practical and innovative and to be used preferably for storing and protecting animal feed and similar products, which has an original problem-solution arrangement, aiming to improve the way of storing and handling animal food, particularly because it contains a handle and a wide top threaded opening with a cap, which can be sealed satisfactorily, as it has a cone-shaped rectangular body, which can overlap each other through fitting, having, on its top, a threaded round opening, which receives a discoidal cap wrapped in a plastic safety seal, and, on its top, over one of the vertices, there is a concave recess, which has, on the opposite side, a curved cylindrical handle.

[0007] The state of the art also includes document MU8503009-0, filed on 09/19/2005 and published on 07/22/2008, under title DISPOSIQAO CONSTRUTIVA APLICADA EM ZIPER PLASTICO (CONSTRUCTIVE ARRANGEMENT APPLIED ON A PLASTIC ZIPPER), partially made, regarding the fastening cord, of a PVC zipper, which is made of polypropylene or other injected flexible plastic material, such zipper having a flat laminar portion, having, next to the internal edge, a short angular transition and, on the internal edge, with an angle higher than 90 ^Q , a blunt-ended protrusion, such region ended with another protrusion, which is more tilted than the previous one, also having a blunt end. This zipper is mounted by fitting it on the bottom internal edge, in the opposite manner, of the corresponding internal edge of a top homologous portion, by using a slider, so as to determine the penetration and interlock of the blunt ends, and the invention aims to provide a simple and functional solution of interlock of two homologous plastic parts for closing the zipper. Basically, this solution applies to articles and packages in general, and it does not comprise a process for applying a seal to a package, nor does it show a solution to the package with the seal applied on it, particularly, an animal food product package.

[0008] Another document known of the state of the art is PI000085-2, filed on 03/01/2000 and published on 02/25/2009, "TIRA DE ZIPER PARA UMA EMBALAGEM REFECHAVEL E METODO PARA SUA MONTAGEM E USO" (ZIPPER TAPE FOR A RECLOSABLE PACKAGE AND METHOD FOR ITS FITTING AND USE), which describes a zipper tape for a reclosable package, with a transverse zipper. The zipper tape has a male profile and a female profile. Each profile includes at least one interlocking member, which extends from a base to the opposite profile, which can be interlocked with an interlocking member in the opposite profile. One or both profiles have at least one high compression member, which allows the interlocked profiles to be sealed to the thermoplastic film transversely to the widths of their corresponding bases, without the interlocking members being smashed or twisted out.

[0009] Document PI9903315-1 , filed on 07/13/1999 and published on 03/14/2006, under title "SISTEMA DE ZIPER TRANSVERSAL DE ALTA COMPRESSAO E METODOS PARA USA-LO E PARA FAZE-LO" (HIGH COMPRESSION TRANSVERSE ZIPPER SYSTEM AND METHODS TO USE AND MAKE IT) describes a zipper tape for a reclosable package having a transverse zipper. Said zipper tape includes a male interlocking profile and a female interlocking profile, wherein each profile includes an interlocking member and a full mesh that defines a rear flange. One or both profiles have high compression members that allow one or both interlocking members to be sealed to the thermoplastic film without these being compressed or twisted out. [0010] Document PI9902416-0, filed on 06/08/1999 and published on 01 /18/2000, describes AN IMPROVED SLIDING ZIPPER, PACKAGE AND METHOD TO MANUFACTURE IT, such sliding zipper set consisting of an interlocking zipper and a slider, wherein said zipper has a first profile and a second profile. Each profile has a tape, a fabric attached to the tape, and an interlocking member secured to the fabric that hooks to the interlocking member of the other profile. The slider is placed to run across the zipper and has a head from where two arms extend. The slider arms join the profile tapes and have hooked ends, each of them hooking around a tape of the profile so they are placed between the tape and its corresponding fabric.

[001 1 ] Document PI9900678-2, filed on 03/05/1999 and published on 01 /04/2000, describes a ZIPPER TAPE AND RECLOSABLE PACKAGE FOR A CONSUMPTION PRODUCT, including a zipper tape having male and female interlocking profiles. The male interlocking profile has a male interlocking member having a cross section in the shape of an asymmetric arrowhead. The female interlocking profile has a female interlocking member in the shape of two mutually curved members, defining a channel between both of them. The male interlocking member is hooked by fitting in the channel to reclose the package. The asymmetric male interlocking member has a pointed edge externally to the inside of the package, and a round edge oriented to the inside of the package. Such asymmetric characteristic causes the package to be opened in an easier manner from the inside rather than from the outside.

[0012] Therefore, none of the documents previously mentioned has the property to maintain the inside of the package isolated from contact with air, after it is opened, and thus maintain the animal food in a perfect condition of use, keeping its texture and sensorial characteristics.

[0013] Some of these previous documents describe zippers consisting of a male part and a female part; however, they do not describe the process of application to an animal feed package, nor even the package obtained. INVENTION PROCESS AND PACKAGE

[0014] Unlike the previous documents, in this invention, the two parts of the seal, made of two pieces, both containing male and female insertions, so that, once it is applied to the package, it makes it fully sealed, even after it is opened, and it can be reclosed in a very effective manner. Furthermore, the interaction between the parts making the seal, including the slider, guarantees, through the interaction between the male and female parts, which are on both sides of the profiles, an innovative solution to the pet product market. For that purpose, the invention comprises a process of application of the seal to a pet product package, which is a procedure performed with the package still closed. Once the seal is installed, it is opened and the corresponding package line is then cut off, allowing one to have access to the inside of the package. However, when the seal is actuated, said package is closed again, thus preventing the food product from being in contact with air.

[0015] Other previous documents describe seals in the form of metallic zippers, the metallic ends of which are used to close said zipper. It turns out that, in such cases, the use of metallic zippers may cause the metallic ends to fall inside the package, causing contamination and an eventual ingestion by the animals.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] This invention describes a seal consisting of two parts made of a flexible plastic material, such as nylon or similar materials, wherein one of these parts substantially has a "U" shape with a centered linear protrusion parallel to its side walls, and, from one of these side walls the virtually right-angled plate extends, which constitutes the surface for support and fixing to a pet food package; while the second part has a general configuration in "U" shape as well, with a non- centered protrusion extending vertically from its base, and said protrusion and an end wall virtually have the same height, while the other end defines a wall of lower height, from which the second plate for support and fixing to the pet food package extends. Such two seal parts can, therefore, be interlocked. The closure and opening of the seal of the invention are procedures performed through a conventional slider.

[0017] However, the invention includes the process of application of the seal to the pet food package, which can be performed by using electrical-electronic soldering on a previously established area of the package, usually next to its top. However, fixing by using a high adherence adhesive is not disregarded.

[0018] Once the seal is attached to the top side of the receiving package, the package extension corresponding to the seal extension must be cut off by using a cutting tool. After removal, through this opening, of the first portion of animal food, the seal is then interlocked by running the slider, so as to prevent the packaged product from being in contact with air and, as a result, maintain the product preservation conditions unchanged.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The invention will be explained below in a form of embodiment, and, for better understanding, references will be made to the attached drawings, in which the following are shown:

FIGURE 1 : Perspective view of the seal with the parts separated;

FIGURE 2: Perspective view of the seal with the parts interlocked;

FIGURE 3: Detailed expanded front views of the profiles of the parts making up the seal;

FIGURE 4: Perspective view of the seal with the slider;

FIGURE 5: View of the seal applied to the pet food package, after it is installed, with the seal in closed position on said package;

FIGURE 6: View of the seal applied to the pet food package, after it is installed, with the seal in open position on said package;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0020] THE SEAL, PACKAGE WITH THE SEAL ATTACHED AND PROCESS OF APPLICATION OF THE SEAL TO A PACKAGE, under this application for Invention Patent, comprises a seal (1 ) consisting of two interlocking parts made of a flexible plastic material (3) and (4), such as nylon or similar materials, wherein one of these parts (3) substantially has a "U" shape with a centered linear protrusion (5) parallel to its side walls (6), extending from the base (7), so that, between the centered linear protrusion (5) and the side walls (6) two grooves (6B) are formed, which are technically equal in shape and size for fitting, while, from one of such side walls (6), a virtually right-angled plate (8) extends, which constitutes the surface for support and fixing to a pet food package (E); while the second part (4) has a general configuration in "U" shape as well, with a non- centered protrusion (9) extending vertically from its base (10), and said protrusion and an end wall (1 1 ) virtually have the same height, while the other end (12) defines a wall of lower height, delimiting two grooves (1 1 B) that are different in shapes and sizes; from said end (12), the second plate (8) for support and fixing to the pet food package (E) extends. Such two parts (3) and (4) can, therefore, be interlocked. The closure and opening of the seal of the invention are procedures performed through a conventional slider (13).

[0021 ] The extension of the parts made of a flexible plastic material (3) e (4) are determined by the opening size desired for the receiving package (E), which can be wider or narrower by virtue of the dimensions and capacity of said package (E).

[0022] More specifically, the flexible plastic part (3) has the centered linear protrusion (5) containing an end prominence (4), of triangular general shape, for application to said second flexible plastic part (4).

[0023] The second flexible plastic part (4) has, on the ends of the non-centered projection (9) and end wall (1 1 ), confronting prominences (15) slightly round, and, further, said end wall (1 1 ) is slightly tilted against the wall (9), so as to reduce the opening size (16) between them. [0024] The seal (1 ) uses a conventional slider (13) to run lengthwise along the area where the interlocking sections of the parts (3) and (4) meet and, thus allow the opening and closure of the pet food product package (E).

[0025] With the seal (1 ) attached and interlocked, the process of application to the package (E) is performed under the following condition:

- the seal (1 ) is applied to the top part, on a previously determined area of the package (E), with parts (3) and (4) interlocked;

- the seal (1 ) is applied through electrical-electronic soldering, by using the plates (8), made of a plastic material that is compatible with the package material (E);

- As an option, the fitting is carried out by gluing with a high adherence film;

- once the seal is glued (1 ), the package (E) is then opened by using any cutting tool; so as to establish a line through which the food can be taken, by opening the seal (1 ), which, after being closed, prevents the food product from being in contact with air, thus guaranteeing its best preservation.