Reclosable plastic bags are used for many purposes, including transporting and storing food products and other materials. Reclosable bags are often preferred over other available bags because of numerous advantages, including that they are easy to close and reopen for access without compromise of integrity when closed.
Typically, such bags are reclosable using a zip-action, locking reclosable closure. Unfortunately, when using such a bag for a first time, there is currently no way of knowing if the bag is sanitary, has been used, tampered with or otherwise contaminated. This is particularly important if the contents to be stored in the bag are perishable or easily contaminated. Exemplary of such is breast milk.
Likewise, currently available bags are typically difficult to fill (E.G., with a liquid substance) without obstruction from the lips and/or spilling along the sides of the bag. At least one reason it is difficult to fill currently available bags is that the edges are typically heat-sealed along their entire length from the bottom of the bag to the top of the bag. These heat-sealed edges typically make it somewhat difficult to pull the lips apart, as well as impede the ability of the bag to remain open during filling.
Yet another disadvantage of using currently available bags to store liquids is that the zipper may not remain sealed. This is particularly true when, for instance, the bag lies on its side—the bag thus situated is more likely to seep some of the liquid contents.
The present invention avoids these and other difficulties by providing a tamper evident reclosable bag that ensures that the bag is being used for the first time. The present invention further provides a bag that is easier to open, easier to fill, seals better, and has less leakage than currently available bags.