Internal gripping slider and method

Abstract

A slider device for use on the closure mechanism of a reclosable plastic bag to assist in opening and closing of the bag is disclosed. The closure mechanism has resealable profiles with track members and the slider device has a separator structure that grips the track members in opening and closing the profile lock members. The relationship between the separator device and the track members allows for easier opening and closing of the bag and removal of the slider from the bag more difficult. A method of manufacturing and using a reclosable bag having the slider device and closure mechanism is also disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to closure arrangements for polymer packages, such as, thermoplastic bags. In particular, the invention relates to closure arrangements having resealable profiles with track members and a slider device having a separator structure that grips the track members in opening and closing the bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many packaging applications use resealable containers to store or enclose various types of articles and materials. These packages may be used to store food products, non-food consumer goods, medical supplies, waste materials, and many other articles. Resealable packages are convenient in that they can be closed and resealed after the initial opening to preserve the enclosed contents. The need to locate a storage container for the unused portion of the products in the package is thus avoided. In some instances, providing products in resealable packages appreciably enhances the marketability of those products.

Some types of resealable packages are opened and closed using a slider device. The slider device typically includes a separator or spreader-type structure at one end that opens a closure mechanism, having profiled elements or closure profiles, when the slider device travels in a first direction along the mechanism. Conventional resealable packages include a notch formed in the upper flanges of the resealable closure mechanism. The notch serves as a “parking place” for the slider device and also facilitates mounting the slider device onto the resealable package. Additionally, one edge of the notch closest to the side edge of the resealable package creates a stop member for the slider device.

These conventional resealable packages have several shortcomings. For example, some profiles do not have elements that attach help guide the slider in opening and closing the profile lock members. Conversely, those packages where the profiles do have these elements, the slider is not structured to grip the elements. This creates possible removal of the slider from the bag, in addition to making opening and closing of the bag more difficult. Furthermore, sliders that would be structured to grip these elements would also need to have sidewalls that were structured to conform to a users fingers. This would allow the user to have more of a grip on the slider making opening and closing of the package even easier.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a slider device having a separator structure that that grips the profile track members in opening and closing the profile lock members of a resealable plastic bag.

Another object of the invention is to provide a slider device that allows for easer opening and closing of the package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a slider for use on a reclosable bag. The slider comprises a top wall having a front portion, a middle portion, and a back portion, side walls depending from the top wall wherein the sidewalls have front end portions being spaced wider apart, middle portions curving inwardly toward the middle portion of the top wall, and back end portions being spaced sufficiently close together, and a separator structure depending from the top wall and extending between the side walls. The separator structure has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion with the horizontal portion being substantially wedge-shaped and wider toward the front portion of the top wall and narrower toward back portion of the top wall. The horizontal portion is situated for gripping track members and separating and sealing lock members on a closure mechanism of the reclosable bag. The closure mechanism includes a first closure profile and a second closure profile. The first closure profile has a bonding strip, a first upper plane with a first track member, a first lock member below the first track member, and a guide post below the first lock member. The second closure profile has a sealing flange or bonding strip, a second upper plane with a second track member, a guide post below the second track member, a second lock member below the guide post, and another guide below the second lock member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an enlarged, top perspective view of the slider device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, bottom perspective view of the slider device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of profiled elements usable with the slider device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a resealable closure mechanism with a notch in the upper planes of the closure mechanism profiles.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a resealable bag having a leak proof plastic resealable closure with slider embodying the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing application of the slider being applied at the notch of the resealable closure mechanism profiles.

FIG. 7 shows a rotary slide applicator used to apply a slider onto a resealable closure mechanism.

FIG. 8 shows an assembled resealable closure mechanism/slider combination.

FIG. 9 is an end view of a slider-resealable closure mechanism combination.

FIG. 10 shows an inverted “L” shaped slit in the upper planes of the resealable closure mechanism profiles.

FIG. 11 shows a vertical slit in the upper planes of the resealable closure mechanism profiles.

FIG. 12 shows a punched hole in the upper plane of the resealable closure mechanism profiles.

FIG. 13 shows a small vertical slit in the upper planes of the resealable closure mechanism profiles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, an exemplary slider device is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in perspective view and preferably comprises a one-piece unitary, injection molded plastic member with no moveable parts that are moveable with respect to one another. In general, the slider device 10 includes a housing 20 for slidably engaging the resealable closure mechanism (FIG. 3, 100). The housing 20 is preferably a multi-sided container which includes a top wall 30. By the term “top”, it is meant that in the orientation of the slider device 10 of FIG. 1, the wall 30 is oriented above the remaining portions of the housing 20. It should be understood, of course, that if the housing 20 is moved from the orientation shown in FIG. 1, the top wall 30 will not be in a top orientation. The top wall 30 defines a front portion 31, a middle portion 33, and a back portion 32. The top wall 30 also defines two open apertures 34 that run parallel to each other. The apertures 34 aid in providing a structure that may be more easily injection molded.

The housing 20 includes sidewalls 40 having front end portions 41 being spaced wider apart, middle portions 43 curving inwardly toward the top wall middle portion 33, and back end portions 42 being spaced sufficiently close together. These features of the sidewall portions 40 facilitate gripping and handling of the user. In preferred embodiments, the sidewalls 40 are injection molded with the remaining parts of the housing 20. In other words, preferably the housing 20 comprises a single, unitary, integral piece of material with no additional materials welded, fastened, or bolted together. The sidewalls 40 can include texturization, such as ribs, to also help improve gripping and handling by the user.

In addition, the housing 20 includes a separator structure 50 for separating the first and second closure profiles (FIG. 3, 110, 120) of the resealable closure mechanism (FIG. 3, 100). The separator structure 50 extends or depends from the top wall 30. As may be seen in FIG. 2, the separator structure 50 includes a vertical portion 51 and a horizontal portion 52. The horizontal portion 52 is of a wedge-shaped construction with the wider end toward the front portion 31 of the top wall 30 and the narrower end toward the back portion 32 of the top wall 30. Furthermore, as best represented in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the horizontal portion is situated for gripping track members (FIG. 3, 113, 123) and separating and sealing lock members (FIG. 3, 114, 124) on a resealable closure mechanism 100.

A resealable closure mechanism 100 is best represented in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. The resealable closure mechanism is shown in the specific form of a zipper-type closure mechanism. By the term “zipper-type closure mechanism,” it is meant a structure having opposite interlocking or mating profiled elements that under the application of pressure will interlock and close the region between the profiles. In particular, the zipper-type closure mechanism in FIGS. 3 and 4 is an illustration of one example of a closure mechanism 100. The closure mechanism 100 includes an elongated first closure profile 110 and an elongated second closure profile 120. Typically, the closure profiles 110, 120 are manufactured separately from each other.

In reference to FIG. 3, the preferred first closure profile 110 depicted includes a bonding strip 111, a first upper plane 112 with a first track member 113, a first lock member 114, and a guide post 115. The guide post 115 aids in holding the closure mechanism 100 closed and aids in aligning the first closure profile 110 with the second closure profile 120 for interlocking. The bonding strip 111 depends or extends downward from the guide post 115 and can be attached to the reclosable bag 200 of FIG. 5.

The preferred second closure profile 120 depicted includes a sealing flange or bonding strip 121, a second upper plane 122 with a second track member 123, a second lock member 124, and two guide posts 125, 126. The guide posts 125, 126 aid in holding the closure mechanism 100 closed and in aligning the first closure profile 110 with the second closure profile 120 for interlocking. The bonding strip 121 depends or extends downward from the guide post 126 and can be attached to the reclosable bag of FIG. 5.

The first and second closure profiles 110, 120 are designed to engage with one another to form the resealable closure mechanism 100. The first lock member 114 of the first closure profile 110 extends from the profile 110 a first distance. The second lock member 124 of the second closure profile 120 also extends from the profile 120 a first distance. These first distances that the closure profiles 110, 120 extend are sufficient to allow mechanical engagement, or interlocking, between the first lock member 114 of the first closure profile 110 and the second lock member 124 of the second closure profile 120. In particular, the lock members 114, 124 hook or engage each other. Furthermore, the closure profiles 110, 120 may be sealed together at their ends, such as region 127 of FIG. 5, to further aid in aligning the profiles 110, 120 for interlocking through processes such as ultrasonic crushing. Pressure is applied to the closure profiles 110, 120 as they engage to form the openable sealed closure mechanism 100. Pulling the first closure profile 110 and the second closure profile 120 away from each other causes the two closure profiles 110, 120 to disengage, opening the bag 200 of FIG. 5. This provides access to the contents of the bag 200 through the mouth 210.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first and second upper planes 112, 122 of the first and second closure profiles 110, 120 define a notch or cutout 128 adjacent to the first side edge 205 of the reclosable bag 200. The preferred notch 128 shown includes three straight edges or sides and is formed twice as long as the length of the separator structure 50 (FIG. 2). As to be explained in further detail below, the notch 128 serves as a “parking place” for a slider device 10 and may also facilitate mounting the slider device 10 onto the reclosable closure mechanism 100 during initial assembly.

In some applications, the closure profiles 112,122 are formed by two separate extrusions or through two separate openings of a common extrusion. Typically, the reclosable closure mechanism 100 is made of a polymer, plastic material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. In one example embodiment, the closure arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 3 & 4 is manufactured using conventional extrusion and hot sealing techniques.

A reclosable flexible plastic bag 200 is represented in FIG. 5. The bag 200 has a reclosable closure mechanism 100 and a slider device 10 for opening and closing the closure mechanism 100. The slider 10 is movable between a closed position of the bag when slider 10 is adjacent the side edge 206 and an open position of the bag 200 when the slider 10 is adjacent to the side edge 205. In addition to being reclosable, the bag 200 may be resealable; that is, closure mechanism 100 not only closes the bag 200 but also seals the bag 200.

The reclosable bag 200 includes first and second opposed panel sections 201, 202, typically made from a flexible, polymeric, plastic film. With some manufacturing applications, the first and second panel sections 201, 202, are hot sealed together along two side edges 205,206 and meet at a fold line 207 in order to form a three-edged containment section for a product within an interior 208 of the bag 200. In the embodiment shown, the fold line 207 comprises the bottom edge 209 of the bag 200. Alternatively, two separate panel sections 201, 202 of plastic film may be used and hot sealed together along the two side edges 205, 206 and at the bottom edge 209. Access is provided to the interior 208 of the bag 200 through a mouth 210 at a top edge 211 of the bag 200. In the particular embodiment shown, the mouth 210 extends the width of the bag 200.

To construct the reclosable bag 200 with a slider device 10, the bag may be formed by either a blown extrusion process or by using a preformed roll of film. The film is folded in the form shown in FIG. 5. The closure mechanism 100 may be applied to the film panel sections 201, 202 by heat sealing the bonding strips (FIG. 3, 111, 121) to the film sections. The notch or cutout 128 may be cut into the upper planes (FIG. 3, 112, 122). Next, the side seals 127 at edges 205, 206 may be formed, for example, by ultrasonic crushing. The slider 10, in particular housing (FIG. 1, 20), is then mounted over the closure mechanism 100, for example, by sliding it onto the notch 128. FIG. 6 is an illustration showing the application of the slider 10 being applied at the notch 128 of the closure mechanism 100. The sequence of these steps may be rearranged as preferred, however it is preferred that the closure mechanism 100 with notch 128 is attached to panel sections 201, 202 prior to mounting slider 10.

In FIG. 7, the use of a rotary slider applicator 400, that doesn't need to spread the slider 10 apart in order to apply the slider 10 onto the reclosable closure mechanism 100, is shown. The notch 128 is positioned at the tangent point of the rotary applicator 400, to apply the slider 10. As can be shown more clearly in FIGS. 8 and 9, the notch 128 traps the first and second upper planes 112, 122 between the separator structure 50 and a sidewall 40 of the slider device 10. There are pins protruding from the rotary applicator 400, which drive the slider 10 around to be applied onto the closure mechanism 100. Sliders 10 are transferred to the rotary applicator 400 via a vibratory bowl feeder and a supply track. Much of the process is the same as U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,256, which is incorporated herein as a reference. An assembled closure mechanism/slider 500 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and illustrates how the reclosable closure mechanism 100 lock members 114, 124 become opened at the point of the slider 10 being applied to the reclosable closure mechanism 100 with the rotary applicator (FIG. 7, 400).

An end view of the slider 10 is shown with the reclosable closure mechanism 100 assembled together in FIG. 9. The horizontal portion 52 of the separator structure 50 grips the track members 113, 123 of the closure profiles 110, 120 and aids in separating the lock members 114, 124 when moved in one direction and sealing the lock members 114,124 when moved in another direction. In addition, this relationship allows for easier opening and closing of the bag and removal of the slider 10 from the bag more difficult.

In another embodiment of the resealable closure mechanism 300, FIGS. 10A-13A show a resealable closure mechanism 300 with a void arrangement 301 instead of a notch. The void arrangements 301 include an opening, gash, incision, hole, or slit arrangement, all indicated as 301, formed in the resealable closure mechanism 300. These void arrangements 301 are preferably formed in the upper planes (FIG. 3, 112, 122) of the resealable closure mechanism 300 near a side edge 302 of the reclosable bag 303. The void arrangements 301 allow the upper planes (FIG. 9, 112, 122) to expand and, thereby, accommodate and/or conform to the slider device (FIG. 10, 304) when it is in the closed position. Thus, the void arrangements 301 ensure a substantial interlocking of the closure profiles (FIG. 3, 110, 120) when the slider device is in its closed position, maintaining a leak proof bag. The void arrangements 301 also facilitate mounting the slider device (FIG. 10, 304) onto the reclosable bag 303 during initial assembly.

Having described the presently preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A slider for use on a reclosable bag, said slider comprising a top wall having a front portion, a middle portion, and a back portion, side walls depending from said top wall, said sidewalls having front end portions being spaced wider apart, middle portions curving inwardly toward said middle portion of said top wall, and back end portions being spaced sufficiently close together, and a separator structure depending from said top wall and extending between said side walls, said separator structure having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, said horizontal portion being substantially wedge-shaped wherein said horizontal portion is wider toward said front portion of said top wall and narrower toward said back portion of said top wall, said horizontal portion situated for gripping track members and separating and sealing lock members on a resealable closure mechanism of said reclosable bag, said resealable closure mechanism including a first closure profile and a second closure profile, said first closure profile having an upper plane with a track member, a lock member below said track member, and a guide post below said lock member, said second closure profile having a second upper plane with a track member, a first guide post below said track member, a lock member below said guide post, and a second guide post below said lock member.

2. A slider for use on a reclosable bag according to claim 1 wherein said first closure profile is parallel to said second closure profile.

3. A slider for use on a reclosable bag according to claim 1 wherein said first profile track member, said first profile lock member, and said first profile guide post are parallel to each other.

4. A slider for use on a reclosable bag according to claim 1 wherein said second profile track member, said second profile first guide post, said second profile lock member, and said second profile second guide post are parallel to each other.

5. A reclosable bag comprising:

a surrounding wall having a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge extending between the first and second side edges, and a mouth between the first and second side edges, said mouth providing access to a bag interior;

a reclosable closure mechanism along said mouth for selective opening and closing of said mouth, said closure mechanism including first and second closure profiles, said first closure profile having a first upper plane with a first track member, a first lock member below said first track member, and a guide post below said first lock member, said second closure profile having a second upper plane with a second track member, a first guide post below said second track member, a second lock member below said first guide post, and a second guide post below said second lock member.

a slider device operably mounted on said closure mechanism for selectively opening and closing said closure mechanism, said slider comprising a top wall having a front portion, a middle portion, and a back portion, side walls depending from said top wall, said sidewalls having front end portions being spaced wider apart, middle portions curving inwardly toward said middle portion of said top wall, and back end portions being spaced sufficiently close together, and a separator structure depending from said top wall and extending between said side walls, said separator structure having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, said horizontal portion being substantially wedge-shaped wherein said horizontal portion is wider toward said front portion of said top wall and narrower toward said back portion of said top wall, said horizontal portion situated for gripping said first and second track members and separating and sealing said first and second lock members on said closure mechanism of said reclosable bag.

6. A reclosable bag according to claim 5 wherein said said first closure profile is parallel to said second closure profile.

7. A reclosable bag according to claim 5 wherein said first track member, said first lock member, and said guide post are parallel to each other.

8. A slider for use on a reclosable bag according to claim 5 wherein said second track member, said first guide post, said second lock member, and said second guide post are parallel to each other.

9. A reclosable bag according to claim 5 wherein each of said first and second upper planes define a notch adjacent to said first side edge for applying said slider device to said reclosable closure mechanism.

10. A reclosable bag comprising:

a surrounding wall having a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge extending between the first and second side edges, and a mouth between the first and second side edges, said mouth providing access to a bag interior;

a resealable closure mechanism along said mouth for selective opening and closing of said mouth, said closure mechanism including first and second closure profiles, said first closure profile having a first upper plane with a first track member, a first lock member below said first track member, and a guide post below said first lock member, said second closure profile having a second upper plane with a second track member, a first guide post below said second track member, a second lock member below said first guide post, and a second guide post below said second lock member

a slider device operably mounted on said closure mechanism for selectively opening and closing said closure mechanism, said slider comprising a top wall having a front portion, a middle portion, and a back portion, side walls depending from said top wall, said sidewalls having back end portions being spaced wider apart, middle portions curving inwardly toward said middle portion of said top wall, and back end portions being spaced sufficiently close together, and a separator structure depending from said top wall and extending between said side walls, said separator structure having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, said horizontal portion being substantially wedge-shaped wherein said horizontal portion is wider toward said front portion of said top wall and narrower toward said back portion of said top wall, said horizontal portion situated for gripping said first and second track members and separating and sealing said first and second lock members on said closure mechanism of said reclosable bag.

each of said first and second upper planes defining a notch adjacent to said first side edge for fitting said slider device such that said first and second upper planes conform to said slider device when said slider device is positioned within said notch.

11. A method of manufacturing a reclosable bag, the method comprising:

providing a bag having a resealable closure mechanism, said resealable closure mechanism having a first closure profile and a second closure profile, said first closure profile having a first upper plane and said second closure profile having a second upper plane, each of said first and second upper planes defining a notch; and

orienting a slider device on the resealable closure mechanism to interlock the first closure profile with the second closure profile when the slider device is moved in a first direction, and to disengage the first closure profile from the second closure profile when the slider device is moved in a second opposite direction, said notch being oriented to trap the first and second upper planes between portions of the slider device when said slider device is moved in said first direction.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein said notch is positioned adjacent to a side edge of said bag.

13. The method according to claim 11 wherein the step of orienting includes positioning said slider device within said notch to trap said first and second upper planes between a separator structure on the slider device and a respective sidewall of the slider device.

14. A method of using a reclosable bag having a resealable closure mechanism and a slider device; the bag having a pair of side edges and a top edge defining a mouth extending between said side edges, the method comprising:

providing a resealable closure mechanism having a first closure profile having a first upper plane and a second closure profile having a second upper plane, each of said first and second upper planes defining a notch, said first closure profile having a first track member, a first lock member below said first track member, and a guide post below said first lock member, said second closure profile having a second track member, a first guide post below said second track member, a second lock member below said first guide post, and a second guide post below said second lock member, said resealable closure mechanism having an open position and a closed position, said closed position including said first and second profiles being interlocked and said open position including said first and second profiles being unlocked;

providing said slider device comprising a top wall having a front portion, a middle portion, and a back portion, side walls depending from said top wall, said sidewalls having front end portions being spaced wider apart, middle portions curving inwardly toward said middle portion of said top wall, and back end portions being spaced sufficiently close together, and a separator structure depending from said top wall and extending between said side walls, said separator structure having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, said horizontal portion being substantially wedge-shaped wherein said horizontal portion is wider toward said front portion of said top wall and narrower toward said back portion of said top wall, said horizontal portion situated for gripping said first and second track members and separating and sealing said first and second lock members on said closure mechanism of said reclosable bag; and

moving said slider device along said resealable closure mechanism to transform said resealable closure mechanism from said open position to said closed position.

positioning said slider device within said notch such that said first and second upper planes conform to said slider device.

15. A method according to claim 14 further comprising moving said slider device along said resealable closure mechanism from said closed position to said open position to provide access to an interior of said bag.

16. A method according to claim 14 wherein said step of positioning the slider device within said notch includes trapping said first upper plane between said first sidewall of said slider device and said separator structure of said slider device and trapping said second upper plane between said second sidewall of said slider device and said separator structure of said slider device.