WO2013009267A1

WO2013009267A1 - Tampering-evident bag with closure

Info

Publication number: WO2013009267A1
Application number: PCT/TH2011/000027
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thadpong THITIHIRANMETHI
Original assignee: Thantawan Industry Public Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-07-13
Filing date: 2011-07-13
Publication date: 2013-01-17

Abstract

The present invention discloses a tampering - evident bag (20), which is constructed from two opposing wall (50,50"). Said bag comprises an opening portion (25) which is prepared with a first closure (35), a body portion (30) defining a pocket, or an interior compartment, which is able to hold/store an article, or articles, and a bottom portion (32). The first closure (35) comprises a first profile (40) and a second profile (45). Each of the profiles (40,45) adapted to engage to one respective interior wall at the opening portion of the bag (20). The first profile (40) and the second profile (45) possess an opposing mirror image of one another. The first profile (40) and the second profile (45) are adapted to engage one another to provide a permanent seal to the opening of the bag (20).

Description

TAMPERING-EVIDENT BAG WITH CLOSURE

FILED OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tampering-evident bag and said bag comprising closures. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plastic bags with zippers have been widely accepted in various business segments, such as the pharmaceuticals industry, food industry and logistics or shipping industry. The zipper bags have long been used in packaging, delivering of products/services for convenience, health hygiene and security reasons. In most applications, however, these zipper bags can be repeatedly sealed, unsealed and resealed. For certain products and services, this could pose a high risk to consumers or customers, as the bags could have easily been tampered with, or exposed to theft, or sent to unauthorized or unintended recipients. Therefore, it is generally considered prudent to provide zipper bags with tampering- evident features, in order to avoid unauthorized access, or to alert recipients of such unauthorized access or theft.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0078940 disclosed a plastic bag, which is made by fusing film material so as to have an upper opening portion. A zipper is provided on the inner surface of the opening portion, and the zipper has a groove formed on a base tape and a ridge formed on another base tape; the groove and the ridge are capable of engaging and disengaging from each other. The base tapes are of different colors. The base tapes have parts which serve as flaps, and the flap parts are of different widths. Thereby, the opening portion of the plastic bag has a step.

U.S. Patent No. 5, 955, 160 disclosed a snap zipper, which has a snap/zipper male member and a snap/zipper female member, characterized by including a base for fusing each snap/zipper of the male member and the female member. A male engaging portion and a female engaging portion respectively engage with each other.

European Patent No. 0 972 715 disclosed a method, apparatus and a system in which re-closable bags and components thereof are formed. The method includes steps including supplying a continuous strip of tape, which has the first and second closures element sealed thereon. The first and second closure elements have a pair of male profiles and a pair of female profiles, or U-shaped elements thereon, each shaped for interlocking with the other. A thickened sealing bridge between the male elements, and a second thickened sealing bridge between the female elements, allows for precise sealing of the fastener element to fastener tape, or to the bag wall, as desired. It also facilitates with keeping the profiles interlocked.

U.S. Patent No. 5851,071 disclosed a plastic bag which allows for bottom loading of the plastic bag, and subsequent sealing of the bottom edges of the plastic bag without the use of tools, adhesive or tape. The plastic bag includes a one-time plastic zipper mechanism which is disposed at the bottom edges and which provide a one-time, permanent seal to the bottom edges of the bag. The seal is such, that it cannot be unsealed without causing discernable damage to the bag.

As apparent, the proposed state of the art mainly focuses on providing a plastic bag with a zipper, which can be repeatedly unsealed and resealed and which would satisfy the need for avoidance of any tampering or unauthorized access, or theft, of valuables or confidential information. Although U.S. Patent No. 5851,071 may serve to provide such a solution, alternative zipper constructions and plastic bags with zippers, for a more efficient solution, are needed.

Therefore, it is an objective of this invention to provide, as an alternative, a tampering-evident plastic bag with at least one closure, wherein such closure provides a permanent seal to the bag. Any attempt to access the contents of the bag by disengaging such closure, will mostly likely result in damaging the bag, and thereby providing an indication of tampering or unauthorized access.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tampering-evident bag with closures as a means for safe-guarding confidential information/documents/articles, so that such confidential materials are only accessible to the intended recipient, and providing an apparent warning sign, if the bag has been tampered with. In one aspect of the invention, the tampering-evident bag, according to the principle of the present invention comprising an opening portion, and a body portion defining a pocket for holding/storing items.

In one embodiment, the opening portion is provided with a first closure, which is a "deadlock" closure comprising a first profile and a second profile. The interlocking of said profiles will restrict the disengagement of the same, thus providing protection for the contents of the bag from unauthorized access. If unauthorized access is attempted, disengagement of the first and second profile and subsequent re-engagement of said profiles, without damaging the bag, would not be possible. Therefore, should there be an attempt to access the contents of the bag by unintended recipients, visible damage to the bag will notify the intended recipient that the bag may have been tampered with.

In another embodiment, the bag comprising an opening portion, a body portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion of the bag is provided with a second closure to provide easy access to the contents of the bag. The second closure comprising a male and a female locking elements which may be engaged, disengaged and re-engaged as desired. The second closure is positioned between a tear away section and a body portion. The contents of the bag may be accessed via the second closure at the bottom of the bag, by simply tearing away the tear away section and then unsealing the bag by disengaging the locking element of the second closure. Again, should the contents has been accessed by an unintended recipient, the absence of the tear away section will alert the intended recipient.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention provides a closure strip comprising interlocking first profile and second profile. Both the first profile and the second profile comprising a locking element, wherein interlocking of the said locking elements of the first and second profiles will form a deadlock engagement of the said profiles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the principles described herein and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples, and do not limit the scope of the claims. The description will be made in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a tampering-evident bag, according to the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of a tampering-evident bag, according to the principles of the invention with two closures;

Fig. 3A shows a schematic view of the tampering-evident bag of Fig. 2, with a blown up view of the first and second closures;

Fig. 3B shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the arrangement of the first profile and the second profile of the first closure arrangement to its respective web;

Fig. 3C shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of the arrangement of the first profile and the second profile of the first closure arrangement to its respective web;

Fig. 3D shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of the arrangement of the first profile and the second profile of the first closure arrangement to its respective web;

Fig. 4A shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a closure strip for the tampering-evident bag, according to the principles of the invention;

Fig. 4B shows a schematic view of the closure strip of 4A, with an indication of the movement of the first profile and the second profile when a person attempts to disengage the first closure from the top;

Fig. 4C shows a schematic view of the closure strip of 4A, with an indication of the movement of the first and second profile when a person attempts to disengage the first closure from underneath;

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the closure of Fig. 4A, prior to the first profile and the second profile engaging with one another;

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of an opening portion of the tampering-evident bag with the locking guard film;

Fig. 7 shows the opening portion of the tampering-evident bag of Fig. 6, in which the locking guard film has been unfolded; Fig. 8 shows the opening portion of the tampering-evident bag of Fig. 7, in which the locking guard film has been removed;

Fig. 9 shows the opening portion of the tampering-evident bag of Fig. 8 being closed;

Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of an arrangement of the second closure on the bottom portion of the tampering-evident bag with the tear away section;

Fig. 1 1 shows the bottom portion of Fig. 7, with the tear away section having been removed;

Fig. 12 shows the bottom portion of Fig. 1 1 being opened;

Fig. 13 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a male and a female profile for the second closure;

Fig. 14 shows a schematic view of the male profile of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 shows a schematic view of the female profile of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 shows a schematic view of the male profile of Fig. 14 and the female profile of Fig. 15, coupled to one another.

Fig. 17 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a tampering-evident bag comprising at least one closure. The said closure is a "deadlock" closure. The term "deadlock" referenced herein, is in reference to a permanent seal of the bag, and such term is defined in comparison to a bag which has a common closure in which the opening of the bag maybe unsealed and re-sealed with relative ease. Due to the deadlock feature of the tampering evidence bag, according to the present invention, disengagement of the closure in order to access the contents of the bag, and re-engagement of said closure, is restricted.

Accessing the contents of the bag, without damaging the bag itself, is nearly impossible. Thus, if unauthorized access has taken place, visible damage to the bag will alert the intended recipient of such unauthorized access. The term "tampering-evident bag" will now be also referred to as the "bag"

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the tampering-evident bag 20, according to the invention. The bag 20 comprising an opening portion 25, for loading articles into the bag, a body portion 30 which is made up of two opposing walls 50, 50" defining a pocket or interior compartment of the bag 20 for holding and storing of articles loaded therein, and a bottom portion 32. The bag 20 is made of plastic, and is manufactured in accordance with generally known methods as used in the art. Disposed at the opening portion 25 of the bag 20 is a first closure 35. The said first closure 35 comprising a first profile 40, and a second profile 45 possesses opposing mirror image mating elements. The first profile 40 and the second profile 45 are each engaged to, or integrally formed, on its respective walls 50, 50" at the opening portion 25 region via a web 41, 41", whereby coupling of the first and second profiles 40, 45 provides a "deadlock" closure, or a permanent seal to the bags' opening portion 25. The first profile 40 and the second profile 45 may simultaneously be formed at the opening portion 25 of the bag 20 during the extrusion process, or they may be manufactured separately and subsequently affixed to the respective walls 50, 50" at the opening portion 25 of the bag 20.

Fig 2 shows another embodiment of the tampering-evident bag 20, according to the principles of the invention. In this embodiment, the bag 20 further comprises a second closure 100, the details of which will be described further below.

In one embodiment, (not shown), the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 may be directly fused to the respective wall 50, 50" of the bag 20. However, it is preferable that the first and second profiles 40, 45 do not directly fuse to the walls 50, 50" of the bag, as shown in Fig.3A. In this embodiment, the first profile and the second profile 40, 45 were not directly fused to the walls 50, 50", but instead were fused to the web 41, 41" which was fused to the walls 50, 50"

Fig. 3B, 3C and 3D show different arrangements of the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 in regard to wall 50, 50",via its respective web 41, 41". The first profile 40 and the second profile 45 are purposely designed to be assembled to the web 41 , 41", which are subsequently assembled to the wall 50, 50" of the bag 20. As shown, the first profile 40 and the second profile 45, are each attached to one end of each of the web 41, 41" (such that coupling between the first profile 40, and the second profile 45, remains without interference from the web 41, 41"), while the other end of each of the web 41, 41" is subsequently attached to each of the respective wall 50, 50". The portion at which the first profile 40, and the second profile 45, attached to the web 41 , 41", however, remains free (i.e. the web 41, 41" is not entirely attached the wall 50, 50") allowing the coupled first profile 40 and the second profile 45, forming the first closure 35, to move (turn/roll/dislocate) within the area defined by the freed portion of the web 41, 41". This arrangement makes it harder for a person to finger feel the first closure 35, and attempt to make the first closure 35 stay in a fixed position in an attempt to manipulatively disengage the first profile 40, and the second profile, from a locking position. As an example, the arrangements are as shown in Fig. 3B, in which both webs 41, 41", each having one end communicate to the respective profiles 40, 45, and the other end communicate with the respective wall 50, 50", wherein both webs 41, 41" are arranged in an upward posture (towards the opening of the bag 20), and a downward posture (hanging toward the body portion 30 of the bag 20 in Fig. 3C, and in alternate position Fig. 3D.

As shown in Fig. 4A, the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 are opposing mirror images of one another. The first profile 40, while in communication with its respective web 41, located at one interior wall 50 of the bag 20 at the opening portion 25, and the second profile 45, while also in communication with its respective web 41", located at an opposing interior wall 50" of the bag 20 at the opening portion 25, at the same level as the first profile 40, see Figs 3B, 3C and 3D.

As shown in Fig. 5, the first profile 40 comprising a base strip 55, and a U-shaped groove 60 protruding from the base strip 55. The base strip 55 has one flat surface, which is engaged to one end of the web 41 ; and the opposite end of the said web 41 is in turn attached to the interior wall at the proximity of the opening portion 25 of the bag 20. The base strip 55 is thickened so as to provide rigidity to the profile, in order to aid coupling of the first and second profile 40, 45. Disposed on another surface of the base strip 55 is a U-shaped groove 60, with a first arm 65 and a second arm 75. The first arm 65 is thickened toward the tip, and said tip is adapted to include a first hook 70, which is bent at an angle on the outer side (of the U-shaped) and a guide 80 on the inner side (of the U- shaped). The second arm 75 is spaced apart from the first arm 65, and also thickened toward the tip portion, and is adapted to include a second hook 85 which is bent toward the inner side of the U-shape. The outer side, at the mid-section of the U-shaped groove 60, is structured to integrally connect or fuse to the base strip 55, while the first arm 65 and the second arm 75 remain free and are deflectable toward, or away, from each other, as well as toward or away from the base strip 55, in response to the force applied thereon. On the first arm 65, below the first hook 70, a footing member 66 is integrally formed to the said first arm 65 below the first hook 70, and extends toward the base strip 55.

The second profile 45, which is earlier described as having an opposing mirror image of the first profile 40 comprising a base strip 55", and a U-shaped groove 60". The base strip 55" has one flat surface, which is engaged to one end of the web 41"; the opposite end of the said web 41 is in turn attached to the opposite interior wall of the bag 20, in which the first profile 40 is situated. The base strip 55" is thickened so as to provide rigidity to the profiles, in order to aid precise coupling of the first and second profiles 40, 45. Disposed on another surface of the base strip 55", is a U-shaped groove 60", which has a first arm 65" and a second arm 75". The first arm 65" is thickened toward to tip, and such tip is adapted to include a first hook 70", which is bent at an angle on the outer side and a guide 80" on the inner side. The second arm 75" is spaced apart from the first arm 65", and is also thickened toward the tip portion and is adapted to include a second hook 85", which is bent toward the inner side of the U-shape. The outer side at the mid-section of the U-shaped groove 60" is structured to integrally connect, or fuse, to the base strip 55", while the first arm 65" and the second arm 75" remain free and are deflectable toward and away from each other, as well as toward and way from the base strip 55". On the first arm 65", below the first hook 70", a footing member 66" is integrally formed to the said first arm 65" below the first hook 70", and extends toward the base strip 55".

The first profile 40 and the second profile 45 are arranged on the opposite walls 50, 50", at the proximity of the opening portion 25 of the bag 20, while the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 are located opposite one another, at substantially the same level, to permit coupling between them.

As shown in Fig, 4A, sealing of the bag opening portion 25 is achieved by manipulating the first arm 65" of the second profile 45, so that they are positioned inside the U-shaped groove 60 of the first profile 40, and the first arm 65 of the first profile 40, is positioned inside the U-shaped groove 60" of the second profile 45, thus allowing the first hook 70" of the second profile 45 to engage with the second hook 75 of the first profile 40, as well as allowing the second hook 85" of the second profile 45 to engage to the first hook 70 of the first profile 40, and the guide 80, 80" on each profile to engage to one another, or by manipulating the first arm 65 of the first profile 40 so that it is positioned inside the U-shaped groove of the second profile 45; and the first arm 65" of the second profile 45 is manipulated so as to be positioned inside the U-shaped groove of the first profile 40. This allows the first hook 70 of the first arm 65 to engage to the second hook 85" of the second profile 45, and the first hook 70" of the second profile 45 to engage to the second hook 85 of the first profile 40, and the guide 80 on the first profile 40 to engage to the guide 80" on the second profile 45.

As the said first profile 40 and second profile 45 are intended to provide a

"deadlock", or permanent, seal for the bag 20, it is important that these two profiles 40, 45 will not engage with each other prior to the bag 20 being used. Therefore, as shown in Figs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and Fig. 6, there is provided a removable locking guard 90 disposed on either the first profile 40 or the second profile 45.

In one embodiment, as shown in Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and Figs. 6-9, the locking guard 90 is integrally and continuously formed with the bag's wall, on either one of the two walls 50 or 50" of the bag 20, during the manufacturing of the bag 20. The locking guard 90 extends from one of the walls 50, 50" to beyond the opening portion 25 of the bag 20, and is separated by a pre-cut strip 26 which stretches across the width of the wall 50 or 50". The locking guard 90 above the said pre-cut strip 26, is then folded inward so that it reaches the first closure 35, to bring the top section of the locking guard 90 to be positioned between the first profile 40 and the second profile 45, thus keeping the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 apart from one another, and avoiding any unintentional locking between the said first profile 40 and the second profile 45, prior to the bag 20 being used.

As shown in Figs 7-9, when the tampering-evident bag 20 is in use, and once the articles are loaded inside the bag 20, the locking guard 90 is unfolded and stripped away from the opening portion 25, thus enabling the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 to meet and engage with one another to form a deadlock engagement of the first closure 35. In another embodiment, the locking guard 90 may be made as a separate piece, and may be produced separately from the bag 20 manufacturing process. The locking guard 90 may be made in the form of plastic, paper, or film strip which is adapted to adhere to the first profile 40, or the second profile 45, in order to conceal at least part of the first profile 40 or the second profile 45 so that unintentional locking between the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 is avoided.

In a further embodiment, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3A, the tampering-evident bag 20 according to the present invention comprising an opening portion 25, a body portion 30 and a bottom portion 32. According to this embodiment, the bag 20 further comprising a second closure 100, which is located at the bottom portion 32. The opening portion 25, the body portion 30 and the first closure 35 are as described in the previous embodiment.

As shown in Figs 2and 3A, the bottom portion 32 of the bag 20, further comprising a second closure 100 which is disposed at the said bottom portion 32. The bottom portion 32 of the bag 20 is further prepared with a tear away section 105 adjacent to the bottom edge. The second closure 100 is positioned farther away, and also away from the tear away section 105 toward the body portion 30 of the bag 20, see Fig. 10. With this arrangement, since the first closure 35 is permanently sealed, the recipient may access the contents of the bag 20 via the second closure 100 by simply removing the tear away section 105, and disengaging the locking element of the second closure 100, which intended to be a non-permanent seal.

The tear away section 105, as shown in Fig. 10, is continuously and integrally formed with the bag's wall 50, 50". The tear away section 105 is separated by two pre-cut strips 106, one on each wall. Removal of the tear away section 105 will allow access to the second closure 100 and disengage the second closure (100), which is designed to be a non-permanent seal, when required, in order to gain access to the contents of the bag (20). As shown in Figs. 1 1 - 12, when accessing the contents of the bag 20, the recipient simply removes the tear away section 105, and disengages the second closure 100 to unseal the bag 20, as shown in Fig. 12.

The bottom portion 32 is located between the second closure 100 and the tear away section 105. The bottom portion may be optionally prepared, with a plurality of gripping enhancing textures 107, defined as spaced apart ribs on the interior, to enhance the grip of the recipient while they attempt to disengage the second closure 100 in order to access the contents of the bag 20.

The second closure 100 comprising a male profile 1 10 and a female profile 1 15, each fused to one respective wall 50, 50" of the bag 20, whereby coupling of the said male and female profiles 1 10, 1 15 provides a non-permanent seal to the bag 20, in order to facilitate easy access to the contents of the bag 20. The male profile 1 10, as shown on Figs.13, 14 and 16, comprising a base tape 120, which has one flat surface that is fused to the wall 50 or 50" of the bag 20, and ridge 125 which extends from the center on another surface of the said base tape 120. The top portion of the said ridge 125 is adapted to include two male hooks 130, one on each side, which are hooked onto the hooks of the female profile 1 15. The base tape 120 is further prepared so as to include two shoulder members 135, one on each side of the ridge 125, adjacent to the ridge 125 (at the side edge of the base tape 120).

The female profile 1 15 as shown in Figs.13, 15 and 16 is a U-shaped groove, with each arm of the U-shape extending from a common bridge 136. The said bridge 136 has a flat surface which is fused to the wall 50 or 50" of the bag 20. The end of each arm is adapted to include a female hook 140, which is bent inward toward an interior of the groove. The U-shaped groove is dimensioned so as to correspond to the shape and configuration of the ridge 125, which enables the ridge 125 of the male profile 1 10 to be manipulated therein to female hook 140 on the arm of the U-shaped groove of the female profile 1 15.

Alternatively, the male profile 1 10 and the female profile 1 15 of the second closure 100, each of which is located on one respective wall 50, 50" of the bag 20, may be integrally formed on walls 50, 50", during the plastic extrusion process to prepare the bag 20.

Although it is intended that the second closure 100 be a non-permanent seal, it is also important that such seal will not be accidentally unsealed through handling of the bag 20, or by the weight of the contents of the bag. As shown on Fig. 16, the shoulder member 135, located on each side of the base tape 120 of the male profile 1 10, will not only act as a guide so as to aid precise coupling of the male and female profiles 1 10, 1 15, but it will also enhance the rigidity of the second closure 100. It is also preferred to prepare the male hook 130 and the female hook 140, especially, the pair which are adjacent to the body portion 32 to have a deeper hook (deeper than the pair of the male hook and the female hook adjacent to the bottom portion of the bag 20) to enhance the locking capability between them and thus ensure a firm locking of the second closure 100, thereby lowering the risk of the second closure 100 accidentally unsealing itself due to the weight of the contents of the bag 20 when the bag is held vertically.

As shown in Figs. 10-12, the wall 50, 50" of the bag 20 may be further provided with a continuous bone 145, which stretches across the exterior side of said wall 50, 50" width-wise, at the position on which the base tape 120 (see Fig. 14) and the bridge 136 (see Fig. 15) of the male and female profiles 1 10, 1 15 of the second closure 100 are located. The bone helps to further enhance the rigidity of the coupling of the second closures 100.

As shown and described, in Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 of the first closure 35 are not directly fused, or integrally formed, to the interior of the wall 50, 50" of the bag 20. Instead, the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 are connected to a web 41 , which is located on each respective wall 50, 50" at which each of the web 41, 41" is integrally formed or attached thereto. The objective of this arrangement is as follows: since the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 of the first closure 35 are not permanently fused to any of either wall 50, 50 (while loosely, but securely connected to the web 41), it will be even harder for a person to manipulate the first closure in the hope of disengaging it and opening the bag, because the first closure 35 is able to move up or down within the range of movement of the web 41.

As shown in Fig. 4A, once the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 are engaged, and if there is an attempt to disengage the coupling between them, for example by pulling (from the top) the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 apart, as shown in 4B, the mating element i.e. the first arm 65, including the first hook 70, the second arm 75, including the second hook 85, and the guide 80 on the first profile, will move in a circular motion. Thus, due to the fact that the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 possess an opposing mirror image of each other, upon pulling it, this creates a counter force between them thereby driving the mating element on both profiles 40, 45 so as to become coupled together even more tightly. Thus, attempting to disengage the closure, i.e. the coupling between the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 without causing visible damage to the bag 20 is more difficult. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 4C when a person pulls the first profile 40 and the second profile apart from the bottom (i.e. by grabbing the walls 50, 50" below the first closure 35, one in each hand, and pulling), a counter force, generated by the movement of the mating element on the first profile 40 and the second 45, also occurs. Therefore, it is more difficult for a person to disengage the closure either from the top or from the bottom of the closure.

As previously described and shown Fig. 5, the base strip 55, 55" of the first profile and the second profile 40, 45 may be prepared so as to be substantially the same size as the width of the first profile and the second profile 45. However, the said base strip 55, 55" may be prepared with an extended length, as shown in Fig. 17. As shown, the base strip 55, 55" of both the first profile and the second profile 40, 45 continue to extend in the same direction beyond the width of the first profile and the second profile 40, 45. In this embodiment, the base strip 55, 55" is adapted to transform and serve the same function as with the web 41, 41", as earlier shown and described. Therefore, with this embodiment, the first profile and the second profile 40, 45 may be fused to the walls 50, 50" at the opening portion 25 of the bag 20, via the extended length of the base strip 55, 55" without the need for the web 41, 41", or fuse the entire extended length of the base strip 55, 55" to the entire length of the web 41 , 41". Alternatively speaking, the base strip 55, 55" and the web 41, 41 is reduced into one single element.

As described in all the embodiments, the first closure 35 is structured so as to provide a deadlock closure, i.e. a permanent seal between the first profile 40 and the second profile 45. This is achieved by the fact that the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 are both prepared so as to form an opposing mirror image of one another, and also due to the presence of the footing element 66 on both the first profile 40 and the second profile 45. The identical features of the first profile 40 and the second profile 45, in combination with the presence of the footing element 66, creates a counter balance resistance between the first profile 40 and the second profile 45, thus making it harder for a person to disengage the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 from one another. As shown in Fig. 4B, as a person attempts to disengage the locking between the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 by pulling them apart from the top of the opening portion 25, the pulling force drives the engagement of the guides 80, 80", as well as the engagement of the first hook 70 and the second hook 85" (or between the first hook 70" and second hook 85, depending on the orientation of the closure) of the opposing profile so that it wedges even deeper and tighter into one another, making it even more difficult to disengage them. As illustrated in Fig. 4B, as the pulling continues and the first arm 65 or 65" may be deflected, the footing element 66 on the first profile 40 hits the base strip 55 and stops the first arm 65 from further bending. Thus, the second hook 85" on the second arm 75" of the second profile 45 wedges even tighter into the first hook 70 on the first arm 65 of the first profile 40, and in turn, the force between them push the guide 80 against the guide 80" and drives the first hook 70" on the second profile 45 to wedge even tighter into the second hook 85 on the first profile 40. Attempting to disengage the first closure 35 from underneath, as shown in Fig. 4C, i.e. by pulling the wall 50, 50" of the body portion 30 underneath the first closure 35, will result in the same effect, due to the opposing mirror image features between the first profile 40 and the second profile 45 of the first closure 35.

As apparent, due to the opposing mirror image character of the first profile 40 and the second profile 45, both engage with each other at three different positions (i.e. between 70" and 85, 80 and 80" and between 70 and 85"). Such engagement provide a "deadlock" closure, or a more permanent seal, to the bag 20 due to the counter balance resistance created between the first profile 40 and the second profile 45. Accordingly, regardless of which direction a person attempts to disengage the first closure 35, the counter balance resistance will always exist. As a result, accessing the contents of the bag 20 requires substantial force, and this will consequently result in damaging the bag 20. The wall 50, 50" of the bag 20 is made relatively thin. Attempting to open the bag 20 by pulling the first profile 40 away from the second profile 45, or using any other similar manner, in order to disengage the coupling of the said profiles 40, 45, will most likely damage the bag 20 in the process. Even if the attempt is successful, the strong pulling force will ultimately deform the first closure 35, and thus reseating the bag 20 will be nearly impossible. Accessing the contents from the bottom of the bag 20 requires the removal of the tear away section 105 and therefore, apparent damage to the bag 20 will be evidenced. Accordingly, the apparent damage of the bag 20 will alert the intended recipient that the bag 20 may have been tampered with. The tampering evidence bag 20 as shown and described, therefore meets the objectives of the invention as set out above.

Claims

1. A tampering-evident bag (20) constructed from two opposing walls (50, 50")said bag (20) comprising:

- an opening portion (25) prepared with a first closure (35);

- a body portion (30), defining a pocket or an interior compartment which is able to hold/store an article or articles; and

- a bottom portion (32);

characterized in that the said first closure (35), comprising a first profile (40) and a second profile (45) each of the profiles (40, 45) is adapted to engage to one respective interior wall (50, 50") at the proximity of the opening portion (25) via a respective web (41, 41") said first profile (40) and the second profile (45) possess mating elements, possessing opposing mirror images of one another, and are adapted to engage to one another so as to provide a permanent seal to the opening of the bag.

2. The bag (20) according to claim 1, wherein the first profile (40) is engaged to one end of a web (41), which has one end engaged to one interior wall (50) of the bag

(20) at the opening portion (25) of the bag (20); and wherein the second profile (45) is engaged to one end of another web (41"), which has an end engaged to an interior wall (50"); the first profile (40) and the second profile (45) being positioned at the same level on their respective walls (50, 50") permitting the first profile (40) to couple to the second profile (45) when needed.

3. The bag (20) according to claim 2, wherein both the first profile (40) and the second profile (45) are arranged in an upward posture.

4. The bag (20) according to claim 2, wherein both the first profile (40) and the second profile (45) are arranged in a downward posture.

5. The bag (20) according to claim 2, wherein the first profile (40) and the second profile (45) are arranged in an alternate posture.

6. The bag (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first profile (40) and the second profile (45) each comprising a base strip (55, 55"), which has one flat surface connected to the web (41, 41"), and a U-shaped grooved (60, 60") which is disposed on another surface of the base strip (55, 55"); the said U-shaped groove (60, 60") comprising:

- a first arm (65, 65"), which is thickens toward the tip portion; the tip portion is adapted to include a first hook (70, 70") and a guide (80, 80"); the first hook (70, 70") bend downwards to the outer side of the U-shape, while the guide (80, 80" bend downwards to the inner side of the U-shape;

- a second arm (75, 75") is spaced-apart from the first arm (65, 65"); the second arm (75, 75") is thickens toward the tip portion; the tip portion is adapted to include a second hook (85, 85"); the second hook (85, 85") bend downwards toward the inner side of the of the U-shape;

- a footing element (66, 66") integrally formed to the first arm (65, 65"), below the first hook (70, 70"), and extend toward the base strip (55, 55");

wherein the U-shaped groove (60, 60") is structured to integrally connect, at the mid section of the U-shape, to the base strip (55, 55")and the first arm (65, 65") and the second arm (75, 75") are free and deflectable toward, or away from, the base strip (55, 55").

7. The bag (20) according to claim 6, wherein the opening portion (25) comprises a removable locking guard (90) which is positioned between the first profile (40) and the second profile (45); the said locking guard (90) adapted to adhere to the said profiles (40, 45) which separate the first profile (40) away from the second profile (45) to avoid unintentional engagement between said profiles (40, 45).

8. The bag (20) according to claim 7, wherein the locking guard (90) is continuously formed with one wall (50, 50") of the bag (20); said locking guard (90) extends from the said wall (50, 50") and is separated by a pre-cut strip (26), which stretches across the width of the wall (50, 50"), and the locking guard (90), above the said pre-cut strip (26), is folded inwardly toward the interior of the bag (20) such that it reaches the first profile (40) and the second profile (45) permitting the top portion of the said locking guard (90) to position between the first profile (40) and the second profile (45).

9. The bag (20) according to claims 1 or 8, wherein the bottom portion (32) further comprising a second closure (100) and a tear away section (105); the second closure (100) is positioned farther and away from the tear way section (105), toward the body portion (30) of the bag (20); the tear away section (105) is separated from the bottom portion (32) by two pre-cut strips (106), one on each wall (50, 50" below the bottom portion (32); whereby removal of the tear away section (105) will allow access to the second closure (100), and thereby provide access to the contents of the bag (20).

10. The bag (20) according to claim 9, wherein the second closure (100) comprising:

- a male profile (1 10) comprising a base tape (120) having one flat surface engaged to, or integrally formed on, one of the walls (50, 50") of the bag (20), a ridge (125) extending from the center on another surface of the said base tape (120); the said ridge (125) adapted to include two male hooks (130), one on each side at the top of the ridge (125);

- a female profile (1 15), with a U-shaped groove having each arm of the U- shaped groove extending from a common bridge (136); the said bridge (136) having one flat surface engaged to, or integrally formed, on one of the wall (50, 50") of the bag (20) opposing the wall on which the male profile (1 10) is located; the end of each arm is adapted to include a female hook (140) bending inward toward the interior of the U- shaped groove;

wherein the U-shaped groove of the female profile (1 15) dimensioned to corresponds to the shape and configuration of the ridge (125) of the male profile (1 10), to enable the ridge (125) of the male profile (1 10) to be manipulated therein to allow the male hook (130) on the ridge (125) of the male profile (110) to latch, or hook, onto the female hook (140) of the female profile (1 15).

1 1. The bag (20) according to claim 10, wherein the base tape (120) of the male profile (1 10) comprising two shoulder members (135), one on each edge of the base tape (120), on each side of the ridge (125).

12. The bag (20) according to claim 1 1, wherein the male hook (130) and the female hooks (140) of the second closure (100), of which adjacent to the body portion

(30), is prepared with a deeper hook than that of the male hooks (130) and the female hooks (140) of which adjacent to the bottom portion (32) of the bag (20).

13. The bag (20) according to any one of the above claims, wherein the bottom portion (32) is optionally prepared with a plurality of grip enhancing textures (107) prepared on the interior of the wall (50, 50" of the bag (20).

14. The bag (20) according to any one of the above claims, wherein the exterior of each of the wall (50, 50") of the bag (20), at the position on which the first profile (40), the second profile (45) of the first closure (35), and the base tape (120) of the male profile (1 10), the bridge (136) of the female profile (1 15) are located, include a bone (145) stretches width-wise across the wall (50, 50") the bag (20), to enhance rigidity of the wall (50, 50") at which the first profile (40), the second profile (45), the male profile (1 10) and the female profile (1 15) are engaged, or integrally formed thereto to aid precise coupling of the mating element of the closures (35, 100).

15. The bag (20) according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein upon coupling of the first profile (40) to the second profile (45), by way of manipulating the first arm (65) of the first profile (40) to position inside the U-shaped groove (60") of the second profile (45); and the first arm (65") of the second profile (45) to position inside the U-shaped groove (60) of the first profile (40) allowing the first hook (70) of the first arm (65) of the first profile (40) to engage to the second hook (85") of the second profile (40), and the first hook (70") of the second profile (45) to engage to the second hook (85) of the first profile (40), and the guide (80) on the first profile (40) to engage to the guide (80") on the second profile (45) permitting a seal of the first closure (35), and whereupon any attempt to pull the first profile (40) away from the second profile (45) causes the opposing mirror image mating elements on the first profile (40) and the second profile (45) to move in a circular motion causing a counter force between the first profile (40) and the second profile (45) which drives the mating element on both profiles 40, 45 to be coupled together even more tightly as the pulling continues.

16. The bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base strip (55, 55") is prepared with extended length.

17. The bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base strip (55, 55") and the web (41 , 41 ") are formed as one element.

18. A closure (35) comprising a first profile (40) and a second profile (45); characterized in that the first profile (40) and the second profile (45) possess an opposing mirror image of one another; the first profile (40) and the second profile (45) each comprising a base strip (55, 55") having one flat surface and a U-shaped grooved (60, 60") disposed on another surface of the base strip (55, 55"); the said U-shaped groove (60, 60") comprising :

- a first arm (65, 65") adapted to thicken toward the tip portion; the said tip portion adapted to include a first hook (70, 70") and a guide (80, 80"); the first hook (70, 70") bent downward to the outer side of the U-shape, while the guide (80, 80" bent downward to the inner side of the U-shape;

- a second arm (75, 75") spaced apart from the first arm (65, 65"); the second arm (75, 75") adapted to thicken toward the tip portion, and said tip portion adapted to include a second hook (85, 85"); the second hook (85, 85") bent downward toward the inner side of the U-shape;

- a footing element (66, 66") integrally formed to the first arm (65, 65")below the first hook (70, 70"), and extending toward the base strip (55, 55")

wherein the U-shaped groove (60, 60") is structured to integrally connect, at the mid section of the U-shape, to the base strip (55, 55"), and the first arm (65, 65") and the second arm (75, 75") are deflectable toward the base strip (55, 55").

19. The closure (35) according to claim 18, wherein upon coupling of the first profile (40) to the second profile (45), by way of manipulating the first arm (65) of the first profile (40) so as to position inside the U-shaped groove (60") of the second profile (45); and the first arm (65") of the second profile (45) so as to position inside the U- shaped groove (60) of the first profile (40) allowing the first hook (70) of the first arm (65) of the first profile (40) to engage to the second hook (85") of the second profile (40), and the first hook (70") of the second profile (45) to engage to the second hook (85) of the first profile (40), and the guide (80) on the first profile (40) to engage to the guide (80") on the second profile (45) permitting a seal of the closure (35), whereupon any attempt to pull the first profile (40) and the second profile (45) causes the opposing mirror image mating elements on the first profile (40) and the second profile (45) to move in a circular motion creating a counter force between the first profile (40) and the second profile (45) which drives the mating element on both profiles 40, 45 to be coupled together even more tightly as the pulling continues.

20. The closure (35) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the first profile and the second profile (40, 45) have their respective base strip 55, 55" lengthened beyond the width of the profiles (40, 45).