Slider with laterally displaceable engagement members

Abstract

A slider for opening and closing first and second longitudinally elongate closure members including a body with at least one sidewall that defines a channel, side member articulably attached to the sidewall, wherein the side member is laterally displaceable about a hinge. Additionally, an engagement member is attached to the side member. The engagement member extends across at least one of the closure members and operationally engages at least one of the closure members.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of commonly owned provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/684,943, filed May 26, 2005 by Bryan Ackerman et al. and incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

SEQUENTIAL LISTING

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a slider for use on an elongate closure mechanism, and more particularly to a slider with laterally displaceable engagement members.

2. Description of the Background of the Invention

Sliders for closure mechanisms having opposing interlocking closure mechanisms are known. In one instance, a slider for plastic film bags with a reclosable fastener includes an inverted U-shaped plastic member with two hinged sidewalls depending thereon. The slider further includes an opening end of the sidewalls spaced wider apart than a closing end of the sidewalls to allow separation of the reclosable fastener. The closing ends of the sidewalls are spaced sufficiently close together to press opposing male and female elements of the reclosable fastener together into an interlocking relationship as the slider is moved in a closing direction. The hinged sidewalls are located on opposite sides of a separator structure disposed between the male and female elements. The hinged sidewalls ride against the external surfaces of the reclosable fastener and press inwardly toward the sides of the separator structure thereby resisting movement of the slider in an opening direction.

In another instance, a slider for a closure mechanism includes a transverse plastic member that defines a longitudinal channel and has a wedge-shaped separator finger depending from a top wall thereof. Opposing sidewalls are connected to the transverse plastic member at locations adjacent to a top wall of the transverse member with longitudinal hinges. After the transverse member is placed on a seal mechanism, the sidewalls are folded down and locked into place to hold the slider thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a slider for opening and closing longitudinally elongate opposing first and second closure members of a zipper includes a body with a first sidewall and a second sidewall defining a channel therebetween. The channel is adapted to operably receive the first and second closure members. A first side member is attached to the first sidewall at a first hinge, and a second side member is attached to the second sidewall at a second hinge. The first side member is laterally pivotable about the first hinge, and the second side member is laterally pivotable about the second hinge. A first engagement member is attached to the first side member and extends at least partly across the channel. A second engagement member is attached to the second side member and extends at least partly across the channel.

In another aspect, a slider for occluding and de-occluding opposing elongate first and second closure members of a resealable closure mechanism includes a body that defines a channel for operably receiving the first and second closure members and an engagement member connected with the body. The engagement member is laterally displaceable with respect to the body. Further, the engagement member extends across at least one of the first and second closure members and engages at least one of the first and second closure members.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a pouch includes a first pouch wall opposite a second pouch wall and a slider. A first closure profile is disposed on the first pouch wall, and a second closure profile is disposed on the second pouch wall. The first closure profile is longitudinally elongate, and the second closure profile is longitudinally elongate. The first closure profile engages the second closure profile. The slider is operatively disposed along the first closure profile and the second closure profile. The slider includes a body defining a longitudinal channel. The first and second closure profiles are disposed in the channel. The slider further includes an engagement member connected with the body. The engagement member is laterally displaceable with respect to the body. Further, the engagement member extends across at least one of the first and second closure profiles and is adapted to urge at least one of the first and second closure profiles in a lateral direction.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a slider according to one embodiment of the invention with some hidden portions of the slider shown in dashed lines for clarity;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 with the slider disposed in an operable position on a reclosable zipper mechanism and in a closing position with portions behind the plane of the cross-section omitted for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 with the slider in an opening position;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 with the slider in a partially assembled slider

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a slider according to another embodiment of the invention with some hidden portions of the slider shown in dashed lines for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5 with the slider disposed in an operable position on a reclosable zipper mechanism and in a clamping position with portions behind the plane of the cross-section omitted for clarity;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 with the slider in an unclamped position.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 with the slider in a partially assembled position; and

FIGS. 9A and 9B are side views of sliders according to yet further embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-8, a slider 20 for opening and closing a longitudinally elongate closure mechanism 22 includes a body 24, which defines a channel 26 for operatively receiving the closure member therein, a first laterally displaceable engagement member 28, and a second laterally displaceable engagement member 30. The closure mechanism 22 includes a first closure member 32, which has an elongate profile, and a second closure member 34, which has an elongate profile adapted to releasably interlock with the elongate profile of the first closure member. The first closure member 32 includes a protruding member 36, an upwardly pointing upper hook 38 spaced from the protruding member 36, an upwardly pointing lower hook 40 spaced from the upper hook 38, a base member 42, a retention ledge 44, and a flange member 46. The protruding member 36, upper hook 38, and lower hook 40 extend inwardly from the base member 42, the retention ledge 44 extends outwardly from the base member 42, and the flange member 46 extends downwardly from a bottom end of the base member 42. The second closure member 34 includes a downwardly pointing upper hook 48, a downwardly pointing lower hook 50 spaced from the downwardly pointing upper hook 48, a base member 52, a retention ledge 54, and a flange member 56. The upper hook 48 and lower hook 50 extend inwardly from the base member 52, the retention ledge 54 extends outwardly from the base member 42, and the flange member 56 extends downwardly from a bottom end of the base member 52. When the closure mechanism is sealed, the upper hook 38 interlocks with the upper hook 48, the lower hook 40 interlocks with the lower hook 50, and the protruding member extends over the interlocked pair of upper hooks. In one embodiment, the closure mechanism 22 is disposed along a mouth of a pouch (not shown) with the flange 46 of the first closure member 32 attached to an upper edge of a first pouch wall, and the flange 56 of the second closure member 34 attached to an upper edge of a second opposing pouch wall. In another embodiment, the flanges 46 and 56 are integral with or extensions of the respective upper edges of the opposing pouch walls. In other embodiments, the slider is adapted for use with different elongate closure mechanisms having opposing elongate closure members.

The body 24 of the slider 20 includes a first sidewall 58 and a second sidewall 60 extending downwardly from a top wall 62, which together define the channel 26. Opposing protrusions 64, 66 extend laterally into the longitudinal channel 54 from the first and second sidewalls 58, 60, respectively, and engage the bottom sides of the first and second retention ledges 44, 54, respectively, to slidably retain the slider on the closure mechanism 22. The engagement members 28, 30 include a first side member 68 and a second side member 76, respectively. The first side member 68 is articulably attached to the first sidewall 58 at a first hinge member 70 spaced downwardly from the top wall 62. The hinge member 70 has an axis of rotation that is substantially longitudinally oriented so that the first side member 68 pivots laterally about the first hinge member 70 through an opening in the first side wall 58. The first engagement member 28 further includes a lateral portion 72 that extends over the channel 26 from the first side member 68, and a downwardly turned finger 74 that extends downwardly from a distal end of the lateral portion. Similarly, the second side member 76 is articulably attached to the second sidewall 60 at a second hinge member 78, which is longitudinally oriented and spaced downwardly from the top wall 62. The second side member 76 pivots laterally about the second hinge member 78 through an opening in the second side wall 60. The second engagement member 30 also includes a lateral portion 80 that extends over the channel 26 from the second side member 76, and downwardly and a downwardly turned finger 82 that extends downwardly from a distal end of the lateral portion 80. A pair of inwardly opposing forces F1 and F2 that are applied to the first and second side members 68, 76, respectively, between the respective hinges 70, 78 and the respective lateral portions 72, 80 laterally displaces and increases a lateral width, i.e., in a horizontally transverse direction as seen in the drawing between the fingers 74, 82 of the engagement members 28, 20, respectively. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, the engagement member 28 is longitudinally offset from the engagement member 30, thereby allowing opposing crossing movement of the lateral portions 72, 80 and the fingers 74 and 82.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, each of the lateral portions 72, 80 extends partly over the channel 26, and the fingers 74 and 82 are disposed between the first elongate closure member 32 and the second elongate closure member 34, thereby operating as a separation finger able to be widened for de-occluding the first and second elongate closure members 22, 24. The fingers 74, 82 extend between only the protruding member 36 and the upper hook 48, which thereby allows the lower hooks 40, 50 to remain sealed below the fingers until the engagement members 28, 30 are actuated as shown in FIG. 3. In one method of actuating the engagement members 28, 30, for example, a pair of fingers 84a, 84b press inwardly against the first and second side members 68, 76, respectively, toward the elongate closure mechanism 22, which urges the upper and lower hooks 38, 40, apart from upper and lower hooks 48, 50, respectively, to at least partly separate the first and second elongate closure members 32, 34. The finger 74 of the first engagement member 28 moves in the direction of the applied force F1 and pushes the upper and lower hooks 48, 50 on the second elongate closure member 34 toward the second sidewall 60. Likewise, the finger 82 of the second engagement member 30 moves in the direction of the applied force F2 and pushes the protruding member 36, the upper hook 38, and the lower hook 40 on the first closure member 32 toward the first sidewall 58. The first and second elongate closure members 32, 34 completely disengage when the upper and lower hooks 38, 40 are separated sufficiently from the upper and lower hooks 48, 50.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-8, each of the lateral portions 72, 80 of the engagement members 28, 30, respectively, extends completely over the channel 26 and the elongate closure mechanism 22. In this embodiment, the fingers 74, 82 of the engagement members 28, 30, respectively, clamp the closure members 32, 34 therebetween, which may help maintain the closure members in an occluded state and/or may prevent the slider 20 from sliding along the closure mechanism. The finger 74 is disposed on an outer side of the elongate closure member 34, and the finger 82 is disposed on an outer side of the elongate closure member 32. The fingers 74, 82 extend downwardly a length sufficient to provide a desired clamping force, so that, in one embodiment, the fingers extend approximately adjacent the upper hooks 38, 48, and in another embodiment the fingers extend to the respective retention ledges 44, 54. In a method of actuating the engagement members 28, 30, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the fingers 84a, 84b press inwardly against the first and second side members 68, 76, respectively, toward the elongate closure mechanism 22, which at least partly releases, or un-clamps, the slider 20. Specifically, the finger 74 of the first engagement member 28 is laterally displaced in the direction of the applied force F1 and away from the outer side of the closure element 34 toward the sidewall 60; and the finger 82 of the second engagement member 30 is laterally displaced in the direction of the applied force F2 and away from the outer side of the closure element 32 toward the sidewall 58 when the slider is engaged.

As shown in FIG. 5, this embodiment includes a third engagement member 28a, which further includes a lateral portion that protrudes from the side member 68 and is a clamping finger that is longitudinally offset on an opposite end of the slider 20 from the engagement member 28. In this embodiment, all other aspects of the engagement member 28a are identical to the engagement member 28. In another embodiment, four or more engagement members, similar to the engagement members 28, 30, and 28a, may be longitudinally spaced along the slider 20. In yet a further embodiment, the slider 20 includes engagement members 28, 30 having separating fingers, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, and clamping fingers, as shown in FIGS. 5-8. The separating fingers and the clamping fingers may be linked together to operate simultaneously or separated to operate independently, thereby providing a slider having the benefit of both the separating action and the clamping actions described above. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the fingers extend between the upper hooks 38, 48 and the lower hooks 40, 50.

The lateral movement of the engagement members 28, 30 in the same direction as the applied forces F1, F2 may also be facilitated by mechanisms other than pivoting articulation about the generally longitudinally oriented horizontal hinges 70 and 78. In one such embodiment (not shown), for example, each of the engagement members 28, 30 is slidably disposed in a track defined in each respective sidewall 58, 60. In another embodiment, a spring member (not shown) is connected to one or both of the engagement members 28, 30 to urge the engagement members outwardly toward the respective un-separated and clamped states. In yet further embodiment, the lateral movement may be around a vertically oriented hinge. The slider 20 may also include other separator fingers and closing structures known in the art to assist occlude and de-occlude the closure members 32, 34 when slid in a closing or an opening direction, respectively, along the closure mechanism 22.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 8, the body 24 of the slider 20 in one embodiment of the present invention is initially mounted on the elongate closure mechanism 22 with the side members 68 and 76 rotated outwardly an amount with respect to the operative positions described above, such as approximately 90 degrees. After the protrusions 64, 66 engage underneath the respective retention ledges 44, 54, the first and second side members 68, 76 are pivoted inwardly about the first hinge 70 and the second hinge 78, respectively, to the operative position. In one embodiment, a retention mechanism, such as a snap fit detent (not shown) is disposed on one or both of the sidewall 58, 60 and the respective side members 68, 76, to retain the first and second side members in the operative position.

In other embodiments, the slider 20 may include a pull-tab 86 as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. The pull-tab 86 in one embodiment has a loop shape, which extends from the top wall 62 of the slider 20. Of course, the pull-tab 86 may be disposed in other orientations and have other shapes capable of being grasped by a user. Traction ridges 88 are disposed along the outer surface of the side members 68, 70 to further facilitate grasping by the user. The slider 20 may have any of a variety of different side shapes, such as rectangular, oval, circular, non-geometric shapes as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, or decorative shapes such as flowers, race cars, hearts, etc.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The slider of the present invention may be used to open and close an elongate resealable closure mechanism, such as an extruded thermoplastic zipper disposed along a mouth of a thermoplastic pouch. In one embodiment, the slider opens the closure mechanism by urging opposing elongate closure members apart. In another embodiment, the slider reduces or prevents leakage when the closure mechanism is closed. In a further embodiment, the slider prevents the unwanted sliding thereof along the closure mechanism.

Numerous modifications to and different industrial applications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The structures shown and described with respect to specific embodiments may be arranged and/or combined in whole or in part without limitation to the specific embodiments described herein to the extent that such arrangements are possible. The exclusive rights to all modifications within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.

Claims

1. A slider for opening and closing longitudinally elongate opposing first and second closure members of a zipper, the slider comprising:

a body with a first sidewall and a second sidewall defining a channel therebetween adapted to operably receive the first and second closure members;

a first side member attached to the first sidewall at a first hinge, the first side member being laterally pivotable about the first hinge;

a second side member attached to the second sidewall at a second hinge, the second side member being laterally pivotable about the second hinge;

a first engagement member attached to the first side member, wherein the first engagement member extends at least partly across the channel; and

a second engagement member attached to the second side member, wherein the second engagement member extends at least partly across the channel.

2. The slider of claim 1, wherein

the first engagement member comprises a first lateral member extending across the channel and a first down turned member;

the second engagement member comprises a second lateral member extending across the channel and a second down turned member; and

wherein the second down turned member is longitudinally offset from the first down turned member.

3. The slider of claim 2, wherein the channel is disposed between the first down turned member and the second down turned member.

4. The slider of claim 2, wherein the first down turned member and the second down turned member are centrally disposed in the channel.

5. The slider of claim 2, wherein opposing first and second lateral forces applied on the first and second side members, respectively, in the direction of the channel urge the first side member in the direction of the first lateral force, urge the second side member in the direction of the second lateral force, and increase a lateral width between the first down turned member and the second down turned member.

6. The slider of claim 1 further comprising

a pull tab;

wherein each of the first hinge and the second hinge is generally longitudinally oriented.

7. A slider for occluding and de-occluding opposing elongate first and second closure members of a resealable closure mechanism, the slider comprising:

a body that defines a channel for operably receiving the first and second opposing longitudinally elongate closure members; and

an engagement member connected with the body, wherein the engagement member is laterally displaceable with respect to the body, and wherein the engagement member extends across at least one of the first and second closure members and engages at least one of the first and second closure members.

8. The slider of claim 7 further comprising a side member connected to the body at a hinge, wherein the engagement member extends from the side member, and wherein the hinge has a generally longitudinally oriented axis of rotation and the side member pivots laterally about the hinge.

9. The slider of claim 8, wherein the engagement member is disposed between the first and the second closure members.

10. The slider of claim 9, wherein pivoting of the side member towards the zipper causes the engagement member to at least partly separate the first and second closure members.

11. The slider of claim 8 further comprising a second engagement member connected with the body, wherein the second engagement member extends across at least one of the closure members and is laterally displaceable with respect to the body in opposing relation to the first engagement member.

12. The slider of claim 11 further comprising a second side member connected to the body at a second hinge, wherein the channel is disposed between the first side member and the second side member, and wherein the second engagement member extends from the second side member.

13. The slider of claim 12, wherein the first engagement member and the second engagement member are disposed between the first closure member and the second closure member.

14. The slider of claim 12, wherein opposing first and second external forces applied on the first and second side member in the direction of the resealable closure mechanism, respectively, cause the first and second engagement members to urge the first and second elongate closure members at least partly apart.

15. The slider of claim 8, wherein the second closure member is disposed between the engagement member and the first closure member, and the first closure member is disposed between the second closure member and the side member.

16. The slider of claim 15, wherein pivoting of the side member towards the resealable closure mechanism increases a width between the engagement member and the second closure member.

17. The slider of claim 15 further comprising a second engagement member connected with the body, wherein the second engagement member extends across the first and second closure members, the first closure member is disposed between the second engagement member and the second closure member, and wherein the second engagement member is laterally displaceable with respect to the body in opposing relation to the first engagement member.

18. The slider of claim 17, further comprising a second side member connected to the body at a second hinge, wherein the channel is disposed between the first side member and the second side member, and wherein the second engagement member extends from the second side member.

19. The slider of claim 18, wherein opposing first and second external forces applied on the first and second side members, respectively, in the direction of the zipper increases widths between the first engagement member and the second closure member, and the second engagement member and the first closure members, respectively.

20. A pouch comprising:

a first pouch wall opposite a second pouch wall;

a first closure profile disposed on the first pouch wall, the first closure profile being longitudinally elongate;

a second closure profile disposed on the second pouch wall, the second closure profile being longitudinally elongate, wherein the first closure profile engages the second closure profile;

a slider operatively disposed along the first closure profile and the second closure profile, wherein the slider comprises:

a body defining a longitudinal channel, wherein the first and second closure profiles are disposed in the channel; and

an engagement member connected with the body, wherein the engagement member is laterally displaceable with respect to the body, and wherein the engagement member extends across at least one of the first and second closure profiles and is adapted to urge at least one of the first and second closure profiles in a lateral direction.