Patent US6179851B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6234675B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multicompartment thermoplastic bag
Assignee: DowBrands Inc
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Filing: 1998-01-09
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Granted: 2001-05-22
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Expires: 2018-01-09
Abstract
Abstract A multicompartment reclosable thermoplastic bag having at least two compartments is disclosed. Each compartment has a top, a bottom, side edges, and two opposing sidewalls joined at the side edges and the bottom. Each compartment has a closure across the top thereof, which are arranged back-to-back and aligned such that the center points of each closure are less than ½ inch (1.27 cm) away from each other. The compartments are attached together proximate the tops of the compartments, and the bottoms of the compartments are free from being attached to each other. A process for making the bag is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Zain E. M. Saad
- 👤 Michael J. Colucci
- 👤 Richard Dawkins
- 👤 William D. Price
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:31
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D33/00; B65D33/16; B65D33/25; B65D33/2508; B65D33/2566; B65D31/00; B65D31/12; B65D33/2541
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A multicompartment reclosable thermoplastic bag comprising: at least two compartments, each compartment having a top, a bottom edge, two opposing side edges, and inner and outer sidewalls joined at the side edges and the bottom edge, each side wall having a top edge and a closure across each top edge, the closures being arranged back-to-back, the closures being aligned such that the center points of the closures are less than ½ inch (1.27 cm) away from each other, wherein the compartments are attached together at the top edges of the inner sidewalls of each compartment with a fold, the fold not extending beyond the top edges of the sidewalls, the compartments being further attached with adhesive disposed proximate the top edges of the inner sidewalls of each compartment the bottom edges of the compartments being unattached.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A multicompartment reclosable thermoplastic bag comprising: at least two compartments, each compartment having a top, a bottom edge, two opposing side edges, and inner and outer sidewalls joined at the side edges and the bottom edge, each side wall having a top edge and a closure across each top edge, the closures being arranged back-to-back, the closures being aligned such that the center points of the closures are less than ½ inch (1.27 cm) away from each other, wherein the compartments are attached together at the top edges of the inner sidewalls of each compartment with a fold, the fold not extending beyond the top edges of the sidewalls, the compartments being further attached with adhesive disposed proximate the top edges of the inner sidewalls of each compartment the bottom edges of the compartments being unattached.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The bag of claim 1 , wherein the compartments are attached together proximate to the tops by a folded section of plastic film, an adhesive, a heat seal, an ultrasonic seal, an extruded lamination, or a combination thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bag of claim 1 , wherein the closure on at least one of the compartments is a plastic zipper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bag of claim 1 , wherein the closure on at least one of the compartments is an adhesive closure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bag of claim 1 , wherein the closures on at least two adjacent compartments are plastic zippers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The bag of claim 1 , wherein the size of the compartments varies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The bag of claim 1 , wherein the thicknesses of the sidewalls varies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The bag of claim 1 , wherein at least one sidewall of a compartment contains microperforations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
A multicompartment reclosable thermoplastic bag comprising: at least two compartments, each compartment having a top, a bottom edge, two opposing side edges, and two opposing sidewalls joined at the side edges and the bottom edge, each compartment having a closure across the top thereof the closures being arranged back-to-back, the closures being aligned such that the center points of each closure are less than ½ inch (1.27 cm) away from each other, wherein the compartments are attached together proximate the tops of the compartments, and the bottom edges of the compartments are free from being attached to each other, wherein the closures on at least two adjacent compartments are plastic zippers, and wherein the opening force for one plastic zipper is greater than the opening force for the other plastic zipper.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
131 words
A multicompartment reclosable thermoplastic bag comprising: at least two compartments, each compartment having a top, a bottom edge, two opposing side edges, and two opposing sidewalls joined at the side edges and the bottom edge, each compartment having a closure across the top thereof the closures being arranged back-to-back, the closures being aligned such that the center points of each closure are less than ½ inch (1.27 cm) away from each other, wherein the compartments are attached together proximate the tops of the compartments, and the bottom edges of the compartments are free from being attached to each other, wherein the closures on at least two adjacent compartments are plastic zippers, and wherein the opening force for one plastic zipper is greater than the opening force for the other plastic zipper.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
A multicompartment reclosable thermoplastic bag comprising: at least two compartments, each compartment having a top, a bottom edge, two opposing side edges, and two opposing sidewalls joined at the side edges and the bottom edge, each compartment having a closure across the top thereof, the closures being arranged back-to-back, the closures being aligned such that the center points of each closure are less than ½ inch (1.27 cm) away from each other, wherein the compartments are attached together proximate the tops of the compartments, the bottom edges of the compartments are free from being attached to each other, the closures on at least two adjacent compartments are plastic zippers, and two profiles of the plastic zippers are aligned back-to-back on a double-sided zipper tape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
A multicompartment reclosable thermoplastic bag comprising: at least two compartments, each compartment having a top, a bottom edge, two opposing side edges, and two opposing sidewalls joined at the side edges and the bottom edge, each compartment having a closure across the top thereof, the closures being arranged back-to-back, the closures being aligned such that the center points of each closure are less than ½ inch (1.27 cm) away from each other, wherein the compartments are attached together proximate the tops of the compartments, the bottom edges of the compartments are free from being attached to each other, the closures on at least two adjacent compartments are plastic zippers, and two profiles of the plastic zippers are aligned back-to-back on a double-sided zipper tape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
A reclosable thermoplastic bag, comprising: a first compartment; a second compartment; a first closure operatively associated with the first compartment; a second closure operatively associated with the second compartment, the first and second closures being independently operable to open and close the first and second compartments independently, the first and second closures being simultaneously, the first and second closures including a double-sided zipper tape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
A reclosable thermoplastic bag, comprising: a first compartment; a second compartment; a first closure operatively associated with the first compartment; a second closure operatively associated with the second compartment, the first and second closures being independently operable to open and close the first and second compartments independently, the first and second closures being simultaneously, the first and second closures including a double-sided zipper tape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
60 words
The reclosable thermoplastic bag of claim 11 , wherein the first closure includes a mating rib and groove provided near an opening of the first compartment, the second closure includes a mating rib and groove provided near an opening of the second compartment, and the mechanism includes the mating ribs and grooves and sidewalls forming the first and second compartments.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reclosable thermoplastic bag of claim 11 , wherein the first and second closures are operable to substantially seal the first and second compartments, respectively.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of using a reclosable thermoplastic bag having first and second compartments, comprising the steps of: simultaneously closing the first and second compartments; and opening one of the first and second compartments while leaving the other of the first and second compartments closed; and opening the other of the first and second compartments, the first opening step requiring greater force than the second opening step.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of using a reclosable thermoplastic bag having first and second compartments, comprising the steps of: simultaneously closing the first and second compartments; and opening one of the first and second compartments while leaving the other of the first and second compartments closed; and opening the other of the first and second compartments, the first opening step requiring greater force than the second opening step.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-21 | 2004-11-20 | 2005-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-21 | 2008-11-20 | 2009-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-21 | 2012-11-20 | 2013-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |