ZIPPER PROFILE CLOSING TOOL

Abstract

The disclosure relates to hand held closing tool for a zipper, typically but not necessary a double zipper, on a reclosable package or bag. The tool is used to manually close, and possibly lock the zipper. This may be used with vacuum or other bags. Various embodiments are disclosed including a pliers-type embodiment, a box-type embodiment and a book-type embodiment.

Description

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/367,249, filed on Jul. 23, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure pertains to a handheld device or tool that would be held by a user and used to manually close one or more interlocking profiles of a zipper of a bag or flexible container.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the prior art, form fill and seal methods and apparatus are well known for packaging foodstuffs and small consumer packages. However, recently methods and apparatus have been developed to increase the size of packages involved. The form fill and seal packaging of larger items, such as, but not limited to, bedding materials, the process typically including a compression step, has been disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/823,328 filed on Jun. 25, 2010 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Compressing and Holding in Compression Woven Fabric Articles”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/823,331 filed on Jun. 25, 2010 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Compressing and Holding in Compression Woven Fabric Articles and Products Thereof”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/963,235 filed on Dec. 8, 2010 entitled “Form Fill Seal Packaging Method and Apparatus for Compressible Goods”. These methods and apparatus have been found satisfactory for their intended purposes, further improvements are sought in the event that manual closing of the zipper is required.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for manually closing of reclosable zippers on larger packages which are produced by form fill seal or other methods.

It is therefore a further object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus which can close a reclosable zipper with double or multiple track profiles.

These and other objects are attained by the present disclosure by providing a tool in any one of various embodiments including, but not limited to a box embodiment, a book embodiment and a pliers embodiment. These embodiments typically include two pairs of rollers so that the tool is square and aligned with respect to the double or multiple zipper profiles. These two or multiple profiles are parallel through the length of the open or closed bag, and the twin sets of rollers serve to square-up the tool relative to both profiles.

The hand held device or closing tool is held by an operator and used to close, mate or join two parallel interlocking double zipper profiles. These two parallel double zipper profiles are typically on a bag, reclosable package or flexible container, on an open end thereof. The bag, reclosable package or flexible container is typically, but not necessarily, a vacuum bag. The purpose of the hand held closing tool is for the operator to manually place it on the double zipper, at one end of the zipper on the open bag, and when it is in its proper position relative to both of the double zipper profiles, to close (and possibly lock close) the tool. The user then typically pulls or draws by hand the closed tool all the way across the full width of the initially open double zipper profiles, typically resulting in both of the double zipper profiles being fully closed, mated or joined across the entire width of the bag, typically resulting in a fully closed sealed bag or flexible container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in the open position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in the closed position.

FIG. 6 is a first perspective view of the first embodiment of the present disclosure engaging a reclosable double zipper.

FIG. 7 is a second perspective view of the first embodiment of the present disclosure engaging a reclosable double zipper.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the third embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in the open position.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the third embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in the closed position.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a first perspective view of the rollers of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a second perspective view of the rollers of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the rollers of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure engaging the zipper of a reclosable bag.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure engaging the zipper of a reclosable bag

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a zipper which typically may be used for vacuum bags.

FIG. 17 is a further cross-sectional view of the zipper of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a plan view, partially in phantom, of the zipper of FIGS. 16 and 17, as secured to a vacuum bag.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view along plane 19-19 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 illustrates a first configuration of the zipper engaged within an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 illustrates a second configuration of the zipper engaged within an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates a third configuration of the zipper engaged within an embodiment of the present disclosure

FIG. 23 illustrates a fourth configuration of the zipper engaged within an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one sees that FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a first embodiment of the hand-held double zipper profile closing tool 10 of the present disclosure. Closing tool 10 includes first and second tool portions 12, 14, typically made of steel or another similar metal, which pivot with respect to each other around bolt 16 thereby achieving a reciprocating pliers-type configuration. First and second tool portions 12, 14 include respective first and second handle portions 18, 20 which are typically coated or encased with respective portions 22, 24 of rubber or similar material to make manual operation of closing tool 10 more comfortable. First and second tool portions 12, 14 further include respective first and second zipper engaging portions 26, 28. In the orientation of FIG. 1, first handle portion 22 is illustrated as being above second handle portion 24, with first tool portion 12 crossing through a notch 30 in second tool portion 14 (bolt 16 passing through an unillustrated aperture in first tool portion 12 and notch 30 of second tool portion 14) so that second zipper profile engaging portion 28 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as being above first zipper profile engaging portion 26. In this configuration, the manual urging or squeezing of first handle portion 18 toward second handle portion 20 causes the first and second zipper profile engaging portions 26, 28 to move toward each other. Coil spring 32 is configured between the first and second zipper profile engaging portions 26, 28 in order to bias the zipper profile engaging portions apart in the absence of manual forces on the handle portions 18, 20. Additionally, set screw 34 passes through threaded aperture 35 (shown in phantom in FIG. 1) in second zipper profile engaging portion 28 and protrudes toward first zipper engaging portion 26 so that the position of the tip of set screw 34 can be adjusted to maintain a minimum distance between the first and second zipper profile engaging portions 26, 28 during the reciprocation of the first and second tool portions 12, 14 with respect to each other.

First zipper profile engaging portion 26 includes first and second zipper engaging rollers 40, 42 which are journaled for rotation about respective parallel axes 41, 43, formed perpendicularly to the first zipper profile engaging portion 26. Similarly, second zipper profile engaging portion 28 includes third and fourth zipper engaging rollers 44, 46 which are journaled for rotation about respective parallel axes 45, 47 formed perpendicularly to the second zipper profile engaging portion 28. First zipper engaging roller 40 is generally opposed to third zipper engaging roller 44 and second zipper engaging roller 42 is generally opposed to fourth zipper engaging roller 46.

Zipper engaging rollers 40, 42, 44, 46 have successive cylindrical portions of differing diameters, the dimensions of which are chosen for the particular configurations of the zippers for the given application. Examples of possible roller configurations are shown in FIGS. 20-23. Those skilled in the art would be able to determine these dimensions after review of this disclosure.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 disclose a second embodiment of the closing tool 10, which is very similar to the pliers-type embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. This second embodiment further includes first and second handle offset portions 48, 50 which are interposed between respective first and second handle portions 18, 20 and respective first and second zipper profile engaging portions 26, 28 thereby allowing the user's hand to be somewhat more removed from the passing reclosable package or bag and zipper profiles. In this second embodiment, the coil spring 32 is located in a position between the first and second handle offset portions 48, 50.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the zipper engaging rollers 40, 42, 44, 46 of closing tool 10 engaging a reclosable package or bag 1000, including first and second female profiles 202, 302 and corresponding or respective first and second male profiles 204, 304.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate a third embodiment of the closing tool 10. This embodiment may be referred to as a “box” embodiment or configuration. The closing tool 10 of FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 includes a body 52 with bottom wall 54, first shorter sidewall 56, a second longer sidewall 58 and a partial upper wall 60. First and second zipper engaging rollers 40, 42 which are journaled for rotation about respective parallel axes 41, 43. Partial upper wall 60 supports pivot housing 61. Pivot axis 62 is formed between second longer side wall 58 and pivot housing 61. Roller support element 64 is pivotably mounted on pivot axis 62. Roller support element 64 includes a framework with parallel first and second side elements 66, 68 and cross element 70. Third and fourth zipper engaging rollers 44, 46 are journaled for rotation about respective parallel axes 45, 47 which extend between first and second side elements 66, 68 of roller support element 64. Second side element 68 further includes boss 74 which extends into curved slot 76 in second longer sidewall 58 and travels therewithin as roller support element 64 pivots between an open position as shown in FIG. 9 and a closed position as shown in FIG. 10. In the closed position of FIG. 10, the zipper engaging rollers 40, 42, 44, 46 engage the reclosable bag 1000 and the double zipper similarly to the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Similar to previous embodiments, in the closed first zipper engaging roller 40 is generally opposed to third zipper engaging roller 44 and second zipper engaging roller 42 is generally opposed to fourth zipper engaging roller 46.

FIGS. 11-15 illustrate a fourth embodiment of closing tool 10. This embodiment may be referred to as a “book” embodiment or configuration. The closing tool 10 of FIGS. 11-15 includes first and second panels 80, 82 which are hinged with respect to each other by hinge 84 in a book-like or clamshell-like configuration. First panel 80 includes first and second zipper engaging rollers 40, 42 which are journaled for rotation about respective parallel axes 41, 43. Likewise, second panel includes third and fourth zipper engaging rollers 44, 46 are journaled for rotation about respective parallel axes 45, 47. Similar to previous embodiments, in the closed position, first zipper engaging roller 40 is generally opposed to third zipper engaging roller 44 and second zipper engaging roller 42 is generally opposed to fourth zipper engaging roller 46. FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the relationship of the various rollers prior to full closing of the closing tool 10 while FIG. 14 illustrates the closing tool 10 fully engaging the first and second female profiles 202, 302 with respective or corresponding first and second male profiles 204, 304 of the reclosable package 1000.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a possible cross section of reclosable package 1000, including package walls 1002, 1004 which are exterior to respective male and female double zipper profiles 402, 404. Male double zipper profile 402 includes first and second male elements 204, 304 while female double zipper profile 404 includes respective or corresponding first and second female elements 202, 302. The right of FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrates the consumer side of the package 1000 while the left of FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrates the product side of the package 1000.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are further views of reclosable package 1000. A film-to-film cross seal 1006 is formed at the edge of reclosable package 1000 between package walls 1002, 1004, while package walls 1002, 1004 are sealed to respective male and female double zipper profiles 402, 404 in seal area 1008. Further, guide bump or protrusion 1012 may be formed proximate to an edge of reclosable package, typically in an intermediate position between the junctions of first female and male zipper elements 202, 204 and second female and male zipper elements 302, 304. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the zipper engaging rollers 40, 42, 44, 46 may include a central groove 90 for engaging guide bump or protrusion 1012, thereby aiding in maintaining registration of the zipper within the closing tool 10.

FIGS. 20-23 illustrate various possible embodiments for the profile of zipper engaging rollers 40, 42, 44, 46. FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment wherein the zipper engaging rollers 40, 42, 44, 46 have a broad central circumferential groove 84, the walls of which engage the thickness of the zipper elements 202, 204, 302, 304. FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment wherein the zipper engaging rollers 40, 42, 44, 46 include first and second circumferential grooves 86, 88 (separated by land 87) for engaging, respectively, the first female and male zipper profiles 202, 302 and the second female and male zipper profiles 204, 304. FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 20 but further includes a central groove 90 (within broad central circumferential groove 84) for engaging guide bump or protrusion 1012, thereby aiding in maintaining registration of the zipper with the closing tool. FIG. 23 is similar to FIG. 21, but further includes protruding walls 92, 94 to more sharply define central groove 90 thereby more robustly engaging guide bump or protrusion 1012.

Additionally, closing tools 10 may include visual alignment marks on the tool to line up the double zippers with the rollers and/or a wind or out-out in or on the closing tool to allow the operator to visually see the roller/zipper relationship. The rollers 40, 42, 44, 46 themselves could have different colored sections. For example, the roller section outside the outer zipper profiles of both zippers, where the roller diameter is the greatest, could be a light color (white), while the section of the roller inboard of this having the grooves to accept and close the zipper profiles could be a dark color, such as black. Any combination of differing contrasts would help the operator visually see the roller/zipper relationship.

To use the various disclosed embodiments of the closing tool 10, the user engages the closing tool 10 around the double zipper profile of the reclosable package, bag or similar item, assures that proper alignment has been achieved, and draws the closing tool 10 across the width of the reclosable package, bag or similar item.

Thus the several aforementioned objects are most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A zipper closing tool comprising:

first tool portion with a first end forming a first handle portion and a second end forming a first zipper engaging portion;

a second tool portion with a first end forming a second handle portion and a second end forming a second zipper engaging portion;

a pivot between the first tool portion and the second tool portion whereby moving the first handle portion toward the second handle portions resulting in movement of the first zipper engaging portion toward the second zipper engaging portion;

the first zipper engaging portion including first and second rollers; and

the second zipper engaging portion including third and fourth rollers.

2. The zipper closing tool of claim 1 wherein the pivot point is formed at a location between the first handle portion and the first tool portion and between the second handle portion and the second tool portion.

3. The zipper closing tool of claim 2 wherein a reciprocating pliers configuration is achieved.

4. The zipper closing tool of claim 3 wherein the pivot is achieved by passing a bolt through apertures in the first and second tool portions.

5. The zipper closing tool of claim 1 wherein the first and second rollers are journaled for rotation about respective first and second axes, wherein the first and second axes are parallel to each other.

6. The zipper closing tool of claim 2 wherein the third and fourth rollers are journaled for rotation about respective third and fourth axes, wherein the third and fourth axes are parallel to each other.

7. The zipper closing tool of claim 6 wherein the first and third rollers are opposed with respect to each other, and the second and fourth roller are opposed with respect to each other.

8. The zipper closing tool of claim 7 wherein the first, second, third and fourth rollers include channels for engaging a zipper.

9. The zipper closing tool of claim 8 wherein the first, second, third and fourth rollers include a channel for engaging a guide protrusion formed proximate to a zipper.

10. The zipper closing tool of claim 7 further including a biasing device for urging the first zipper engaging portion away from the second zipper engaging portion in the absence of force on the first and second handle portions.

11. The zipper closing tool of claim 10 wherein the biasing device is a coil spring with a first end engaging the first zipper engaging portion and a second end engaging the second zipper engaging portion.

12. The zipper closing tool of claim 11 further including a set screw passing through one of the zipper engaging portions for maintaining a minimum separation between the first and second zipper engaging portions.

13. The zipper closing tool of claim 11 wherein the first tool portion includes a first offset portion between the first handle portion and the first zipper engaging portion and the second tool portion includes a second offset portion between the second handle portion and the second zipper engaging portion.

14. The zipper closing tool of claim 13 further including a coil spring with a first end engaging the first offset portion and a second end engaging the second offset portion for urging the first zipper engaging portion away from the second zipper engaging portion in the absence of force on the first and second handle portions.

15. A zipper closing tool comprising:

a body with first and second rollers journaled for rotation about respective first and second axes which are parallel to each other;

a frame with third and fourth rollers journaled for rotation about respective third and fourth axes which are parallel to each other; and

wherein the frame is pivoted about a fifth axis on the body.

16. The zipper closing tool of claim 15 wherein the first and third rollers are opposed with respect to each other, and the second and fourth roller are opposed with respect to each other.

17. The zipper closing tool of claim 16 wherein the first, second, third and fourth rollers include channels for engaging a zipper.

18. A zipper closing tool comprising:

a first panel with first and second rollers journaled for rotation about respective first and second axes which are parallel to each other;

a second panel with third and fourth rollers journaled for rotation about respective third and fourth axes which are parallel to each other; and

wherein the first and second panel are in hinged relationship with each other.

19. The zipper closing tool of claim 18 wherein the first and third rollers are opposed with respect to each other, and the second and fourth roller are opposed with respect to each other.

20. The zipper closing tool of claim 19 wherein the first, second, third and fourth rollers include channels for engaging a zipper.