US Patent Issued to Illinois Tool Works on Dec. 2 for "Biodegradable zipper for zip packaging" (Illinois, Connecticut Inventors)

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 2 -- United States Patent no. 12,486,079, issued on Dec. 2, was assigned to Illinois Tool Works Inc. (Glenview, Ill.).

"Biodegradable zipper for zip packaging" was invented by Eric P. Plourde (Frankfort, Ill.), Christine N. Shimel (Chicago) and Lars G. Wihlborg (Stratford, Conn.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A biodegradable (repulpable, compostable and/or water soluble) zipper is provided for attachment to a biodegradable flexible package. The biodegradable zipper is formed using a water-soluble polymer that can be combined with a repulpable and/or compostable material, such as a plant-based cellulose material. The biodegradable zipper enables the biodegradable package ...