ADHESIVE CLOSURE STRIP

Abstract

A pair of closure strips for resealing bags, the pair of closure strips comprising a first closure strip comprising a substrate including a grip strip, a groove strip, and an adhesive region, the groove strip. The pair of closure strips further comprising a second closure strip comprising a substrate including a grip strip, a stem strip, and an adhesive region. The stem strip comprises a stem structure that interlocks with a groove of the groove strip. The first closure strip and the second closure strip are attached to a bag by adhering the adhesive region of the first closure strip and the adhesive region of the second closure strip to sidewall regions adjacent to an opening of the bag.

Claims

1. A pair of closure strips for resealing bags, the pair of closure strips comprising: a first closure strip comprising a substrate including a grip strip, a groove strip, and an adhesive region, the adhesive region of the first closure strip defining a first adhesive surface the a second closure strip comprising a substrate including a grip strip, a stem strip, and an adhesive region, the first closure strip and the second closure strip being separate and discrete elements from each other and configured for removable attachment to each other, the adhesive region of the second closure strip defining a second adhesive surface, the second adhesive surface being oriented in an opposing direction to the first adhesive surface when the first and second closure strips are attached together such that a normal of the first adhesive surface extends through the second adhesive surface and a normal of the second adhesive surface extends through the first adhesive surface; wherein the stem strip comprises a stem structure that interlocks with a groove of the groove strip to at least partially attach the first and second closure strips together; and the first closure strip and the second closure strip being discrete elements from a bag, the bag comprising first and second sidewall regions forming an opening therebetween, the first closure strip being configured for attachment to the bag by adhering the adhesive region of the first closure strip to the first sidewall region adjacent the opening such that the grip and groove strips of the first closure strip are disposed outside of the opening of the bag and the second closure strip being configured for attachment to the bag by adhering the adhesive region of the second closure strip to the second sidewall region adjacent to the opening such that the grip and stem strips of the second closure strip are disposed outside of the opening of the bag.

2. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein the groove strip is on an inner-facing side of the first closure strip and the stem strip is on an inner-facing side of the second closure strip.

3. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein each of the first closure strip and the second closure strip further comprises a grip strip.

4. The pair of closure strips of claim 3 wherein the grip strip provides improved ease of holding a top section of the closure strip.

5. The pair of closure strips of claim 3 wherein the grip strip comprises a plurality of elongated generally parallel ridges spaced apart in parallel relationship and horizontally extending from substantially a first edge of the closure strip to a second edge of the closure strip.

6. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein the substrates of the first closure strip and the second closure strip comprise a sheet material including paper or plastic film.

7. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein the first closure strip and the second closure strip are pre-attached and wound into a spool.

8. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein the first closure strip and the second closure strip are perforated at set lengths.

9. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein the first closure strip and the second closure strip are precut in various lengths.

10. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein the adhesive region of the first closure strip and the adhesive region of the second closure strip are adhered to sidewall regions below the opening of the bag.

11. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein the first closure strip and the second closure strip are attached to the bag such that the opening of the bag is below the groove strip and the stem strip.

12. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein the groove strip is located in a midsection region of first closure strip above the adhesive region of the first closure strip.

13. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein the stem strip is located in a midsection region of second closure strip above the adhesive region of the second closure strip.

14. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein the groove strip is on an inner-facing side of the first closure strip and the stem strip is on an inner-facing side of the second closure strip.

15. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein the adhesive region of the first closure strip is on an inner-facing side of the first closure strip and the adhesive region of the second closure strip is on an inner-facing side of the second closure strip.

16. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein the adhesive region of the first closure strip is on an outer-facing side of the first closure strip and the adhesive region of the second closure strip is on an outer-facing side of the second closure strip.

17. The pair of closure strips of claim 16 wherein: the adhesive region the first closure strip is configured for attachment to the bag by adhering the adhesive region of the first closure strip to an interior portion of the first sidewall region adjacent to the opening of the bag; and the adhesive region the second closure strip is configured for attachment to the bag by adhering the adhesive region of the second closure strip to an interior portion of the second sidewall region adjacent to the opening of the bag.

18. The pair of closure strips of claim 17 wherein the adhesive region of the first closure strip faces away from the adhesive region of the second closure strip when the first and second closure strips are attached to the bag.

19. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein: the adhesive region of the first closure strip faces in an opposing direction to the groove strip; and the adhesive region of the second closure strip faces in an opposing direction to the stem strip.

20. The pair of closure strips of claim 1 wherein, when detached from each other, each of the first closure strip and the second closure strip are configured for separate and individual attachment to the bag.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts.

[0010] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a pair of complementary adhesive closure strips according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an application of a pair of complementary adhesive closure strips to a bag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an application of a pair of complementary adhesive closure strips to an exterior of a bag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an application of a pair of complementary adhesive closure strips to a bag according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a bag adhered with a pair of complementary adhesive closure strips according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a roll of adhesive closure strips with a dispensing container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any example embodiments set forth herein; example embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have nuanced meanings suggested or implied in context beyond an explicitly stated meaning. Likewise, the phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment. It is intended, for example, that claimed subject matter include combinations of exemplary embodiments in whole or in part. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0017] The present application discloses closure strips for resealing bags not originally equipped with closure means. The disclosed closure strips may comprise a pair of complementary adhesive closure strips that may be used as an aid or accessory for bags. In particular, the adhesive closure strips are separate elements and do not form an enclosure or bag themselves whether in combination or alone. The complementary adhesive closure strips may include a slot and groove (e.g., ziplock) mechanism such that the complementary adhesive closure strips forms a seal when pressed together. Each of the complementary adhesive closure strips may be adhered to a region of a given inner or outer sidewall adjacent to an opening of a bag thereby creating a closure by coupling the slot and groove mechanism to the bag.

[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 present a pair of complementary adhesive closure strips according to an embodiment of the present invention. Closure strip 102 comprises a substrate including a grip strip 104, a groove strip 106, and an adhesive region 108. The substrate as well as any other portion of the closure strip 102 can be constructed from any material, such as paper or plastic film (e.g., polyethylene polymers). Grip strip 104 may provide for improved ease of opening and holding of the closure strip 102 along a top section of the closure strip 102 when attached to an existing container, such as a bag. The grip strip 104 comprises a plurality of elongated generally parallel ridges spaced apart in parallel relationship and horizontally extending from substantially one edge of the closure strip 102 to the other edge of the closure strip 102.

[0019] Closure strip 102 has an inner-facing side and an outer-facing side. Groove strip 106 is located in a midsection region of closure strip 102 below the grip strip 104 and above the adhesive region 108. Groove strip 106 is situated on the inner-facing side and comprises a complementary groove or cavity adapted to be pressed together into interlocking relation with a stem component (stem strip 206) on the inner-facing side of closure strip 202. As such, closure strip 102 may form a seal with closure strip 202. Closure strip 102 may be separated from closure strip 202 by pulling them apart.

[0020] Adhesive region 108 enables the closure strip 102 to be attached to a container surface. The adhesive region 108 comprises a section located at a bottom portion of the closure strip 102 that can be adhered to an inner or outer sidewall of an existing container along an opening of the existing container. The adhesive region 108 may exist on the inner-facing side of the closure strip 102 for application to an outer sidewall of an existing container. Alternatively, the adhesive region 108 may exist on the outer-facing side of the closure strip 102 for application to an inner sidewall of an existing container. To protect the adhesive region 108 and permit handling without the adhesive region 108 catching on any environmental surface until it is intended to apply the closure strip 102 to a container, the adhesive region 108 may include a protective sheet that is applied in covering relation to the adhesive region 108 but is able to be peeled therefrom and removed prior to adhering to the container.

[0021] Closure strip 202 comprises a companion strip to closure strip 102. Closure strip 202 comprises a substrate including a grip strip 204, a stem strip 206, and an adhesive region 208. The substrate as well as any other portion of the closure strip 202 can be constructed from any material, such as paper or plastic film (e.g., polyethylene polymers). Grip strip 204 and adhesive region 208 may include structure and functionality that are identical to grip strip 104 and adhesive region 218, respectively. That is, closure strip 202 mirrors the structures of closure strip 102 with the exception of the stem strip 206.

[0022] Closure strip 202 also includes an inner-facing side and an outer-facing side. Stem strip 206 is situated on the inner-facing side and comprises a stem structure adapted to be pressed together into interlocking relation with a groove component (groove strip 106) on the inner-facing side of closure strip 102. Stem strip 206 is located in a midsection region of closure strip 202 below the grip strip 204 and adhesive region 108. Particularly, stem strip 206 is located in a substantially similar location as groove strip 106 in relation to the midsection region of closure strip 102 such that stem strip 206 is horizontally aligned with the center of the groove of the groove strip 106. According to another embodiment closure strip 102 and closure strip 202 may include any kind of locking mechanism in place of groove strip 106 and stem strip 206.

[0023] Closure strip 102 and closure strip 202 may be pre-attached to one another, wound into a spool, and thereafter be dispensed. The closure strips may be cut to a desired length and applied to individual bags. For example, the desired length may be the width of a bag or an opening of the bag. The closure strips may also be perforated at set lengths, or can come in precut strips of various lengths.

[0024] FIGS. 3A and 3B present an application of a pair of complementary adhesive closure strips to a bag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Closure strip 102 and closure strip 202 comprise individual elements and do not form an enclosure or bag themselves whether attached or detached from one another. The closure strip 102 and closure strip 202 may be attached to a bag 300. A bag 300 may comprise any non-rigid container made from any material such as paper, plastic, organic or synthetic fibers, etc. The bag 300 includes an opening 302 to the internal cavity 304 of the bag 300.

[0026] Closure strip 102 can be adhered to an upper region of a first sidewall along opening 302 and closure strip 202 can be adhered to an upper region of a second sidewall (opposite of the first sidewall) adjacent to and along the opening of the bag. The closure strips 102 and 202 may be attached along the sidewalls adjacent to the opening 302 such that at least a portion of the adhesive regions 108 and 208 are below the opening 302 and groove strip 106 and stem strip 206 are above the opening 302. Groove strip 106 and stem strip 206 provides an easily openable and reclosable/resealable closure for the opening 302. Closure strips 102 and 202 may be pulled apart at grip strips 104 and 204 to detach groove strip 106 from stem strip 206.

[0027] FIG. 4 presents a side view of an application of a pair of complementary adhesive closure strips to an exterior of a bag according to an embodiment of the present invention. The closure strips 102 and 202 can be adhered to the opening 302 of bag 300. Bag 300 includes exterior sidewall surfaces 402 and 404. Closure strip 102 may be adhered to exterior sidewall surface 402 via adhesive region 108 and closure strip 202 may be adhered to exterior sidewall surface 404 via adhesive region 208. The groove strip 106 and stem strip 206 are preferably positioned above opening 302 thereby allowing groove strip 106 and stem strip 206 to be pressed together and separated. Once the closure strips 102 and 202 are attached to the opening 302, groove strip 106 and stem strip 206 provides re-sealability of opening 302 to cavity 304.

[0028] FIG. 5 presents a side view of an application of a pair of complementary adhesive closure strips to a bag according to another embodiment of the present invention. Bag 300 includes interior sidewall surfaces 406 and 408. Closure strips 102′ and 202′ are partially inserted into cavity 304 through opening 302 for attaching the closure strips 102′ and 202′ to the opening 302 of the bag 300. Closure strip 102′ may be adhered to interior sidewall surface 406 via adhesive region 108′ and closure strip 202′ may be adhered to interior sidewall surface 408 via adhesive region 208′. Once the closure strips 102′ and 202′ are attached to the opening 302, groove strip 106′ and stem strip 206′ may be pressed together and separated to close and open opening 302 to access cavity 304.

[0029] FIG. 6 presents a bag adhered with a pair of complementary adhesive closure strips according to an embodiment of the present invention. Closure strips 102, 202 are attached to the opening 302 of bag 300. The closure strips 102, 202 are attached by adhering adhesive regions 108, 208 to a region of sidewalls 402, 404 below the opening 302. The closure strips 102, 202 are affixed to bag 300 such that opening 302 is below groove strip 106 and stem strip 206. Grip strips 104, 204 provide areas for grabbing closure strips 102, 202 and detaching strip 106 from stem strip 206 by pulling grip strips 104, 204 in opposite directions.

[0030] FIG. 7 presents a roll of adhesive closure strips with a dispensing container according to an embodiment of the present invention. A roll of closure strip 102, 202 may be pre-attached to one another, wound into a spool 702, and dispensed from a container 700. The container 700 includes a blade 704 that can be used to cut closure strip 102, 202. Closure strip 102, 202 may be cut to any arbitrary length or at pre-perforated lines.

[0031] FIGS. 1 through 7 are conceptual illustrations allowing for an explanation of the present invention. Notably, the figures and examples above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to a single embodiment, as other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements. Moreover, where certain elements of the present invention can be partially or fully implemented using known components, only those portions of such known components that are necessary for an understanding of the present invention are described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of such known components are omitted so as not to obscure the invention. In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not necessarily be limited to other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, applicants do not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.

[0032] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the relevant art(s) (including the contents of the documents cited and incorporated by reference herein), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art(s).