Having Interlocking Surface With Continuous Cross Section Patents (Class 24/399)
  • Publication number: 20030000050
    Abstract: A slider for a reclosable fastener for plastic bags comprises a body. The body includes a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top. The separation member is adapted to open and close the fastener. The first side has at least one slot for separating the first side into at least two sections. The second side has at least one slot for separating the second side into at least two sections. Each of the slots extends from respective ends of the first and second sides opposite the top and extends through the respective first and second sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: James S. Blythe
  • Patent number: 6490769
    Abstract: A slider for a closing band includes a core piece (8), two parallel inner surfaces (31, 32), and two support flanks (14, 15). In order improved sliders of this kind, an additional core piece (7) is provided (FIG. 2) in the region of the inner surfaces (31, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: ASF Verwaltungs GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Siegel
  • Patent number: 6487759
    Abstract: The present invention provides an engaging member which enables a male member and a female member to be engaged with each other easily by sliding them relatively along the longitudinal direction and having a high engaging force, and a manufacturing method thereof. This engaging member includes the male member to be attached on one of components to be connected with each other and the female member to be attached on the other of the components. Engaging projecting portion with which the female member engages is provided on a side edge in the longitudinal direction of the male member. The female member includes an accommodating portion formed along the longitudinal direction so as to accommodate the male member. Hook-shaped portions with which the engaging projecting portion of the male member engages are formed along the longitudinal direction inside the accommodating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Akeno, Ryoichiro Uehara, Shintaro Oosugi
  • Patent number: 6461042
    Abstract: A closure arrangement for use with a flexible package includes a first closure mechanism, a slider device, and a second closure mechanism. The first closure mechanism includes selectively engageable first and second profiles. The slider device has a housing operably mounted on the first closure mechanism. The slider housing is constructed and arranged to engage and disengage the first and second profiles. The slider housing defines a first cavity that slidably receives said first and second profiles. The second closure mechanism includes selectively engageable third and fourth profiles. The second closure mechanism is adjacent to the first closure mechanism but is completely outside of the first cavity. The second closure mechanism may be either a single pair of interlocking hooks, or may be multiple members. The slider device includes a plow with a non-rectangular cross-section, such as a polygon, a racetrack, or a circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mladomir Tomic, Michael E. Schreiter
  • Patent number: 6442804
    Abstract: A reclosable fastener assembly includes first and second elongated closure elements that are engageable to form a seal. A slider is slidable relative to the closure elements between an open position and a closed position and is adapted (i) to engage the closure elements to one another when moved across the closure elements toward the closed position and (ii) to disengage the closure elements from one another when moved across the closure elements toward the open position. The slider carries a first partial indicator. A second partial indicator is located relative to the closure elements so as to complement the first partial indicator to form a visual indicator when the slider is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Douglas A. Soller, Jeffrey J. Christensen, Douglas P. Gundlach
  • Patent number: 6439771
    Abstract: A zipper profile for a fastener assembly is provided. The profile includes a male element and a female element. The female element has a pair of jaws that are movable with respect to one another about a common fulcrum region, and a pair of arms each of which are coupled to a corresponding one of the pair of jaws at the fulcrum region. Each of the arms has an end opposite from the fulcrum region that is shaped for engagement with a slider, and the jaws have an open position and a closed position. The arms are disposed to cause movement of the jaws between the closed position and the open position when the arms experience displacement about the fulcrum region. Displacement about the fulcrum region may be effectuated by motion of a slider relative to the arms. The male element is captured by the female element when the jaws are in the closed position and released when the jaws are in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Webster Industries Division Chelsea Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: F. John Herrington, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6419391
    Abstract: A plastic bag comprises opposing body panels fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. A reclosable zipper extending along a mouth portion formed opposite the sealed bottom of the plastic bag. The zipper is preferably free of graspable upper pull flanges in order to best accommodate a slider and inhibit operation of the zipper without the slider. The slider is mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. The zipper is closed while the slider is in the closed position. The zipper is opened in response to movement of the slider to the open position. To inhibit tampering with the contents of the bag, the bag includes a tamper-evident feature. In one set of embodiments, the tamper-evident feature initially maintains the slider in the closed position and allows the slider to move away from the closed position toward the open position in response to removing or breaking the tamper-evident feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventor: Toby R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6393674
    Abstract: A closure device for clothing, footwear and luggage items and the like is adapted to act on flattened and adjacent parts and comprises two elongated and parallel elements which have, at their outer lateral edges, a region for fixing to the respective parts to be joined and have, along the mutually facing inward lateral edges, a plurality of shaped portions for coupling to a movable element which is substantially as long as the elongated elements, has a plurality of complementarily shaped portions along its complementary edges, is provided with a grip in an upward region and can slide between the elongated elements in order to close the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Danilo Dolci S.R.L.
    Inventor: Danilo Dolci
  • Patent number: 6385818
    Abstract: A closure device for a slider bag with a slider and an end stop operable to releasably latch the slider in the closed position and release the slider with minimal user applied force. The closure device includes first and second interlocking fastening strips arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined length. The slider is slidably disposed on the interlocking fastening strips for facilitating the occlusion and deocclusion of the fastening strips when moved towards first and second ends of the fastening strips. The first and second ends of the fastening strips are secured together and an end stop is provided to the first, closing end of the fastening strips. The end stop is provided with quick release latching structure engagable with cooperating latch-receiving structure provided to the mating or opening end of the slider to secure the slider when it is moved into engagement with the end stop at the closing end of the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventor: Alan F. Savicki, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6378177
    Abstract: A fastener for a top-filled tamper-evident reclosable plastic package is disclosed. The package includes first and second opposing panels joined along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging said sides. The fastener includes first and second opposing tracks along a top of the package. The first and second tracks include respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins extending from the respective first and second profiles. The first and second fins are joined to each other at their respective lower ends. A preferential area of weakness is disposed along or near the juncture of the first and second fins. While the fastener is attached to the first panel, the fastener initially is at least partially unattached to the second panel so as to allow the package to be filled with a product via a fill opening between the fastener and the second panel. After filling the package with the product, the fill opening is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Athans, Craig E. Cappel, Michael W. McManus
  • Patent number: 6327754
    Abstract: A plurality of fastener arrangements for use in manufacturing recloseable bags comprising a first fastener and a second fastener connected to the first fastener. Each of said fasteners comprising a male track with a male profile, a female track with a female profile and a slider. The male and female profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The slider is slidably mounted to the fastener for movement between a closed position and an open position. The male and female profiles are engaged to each other while the slider is in the closed position. The male and female profiles are disengaged from each other in response to movement of the slider from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk E. Belmont, Ian J. Barclay
  • Patent number: 6305844
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bag comprising two generally parallel sheets forming the main walls of the bag, complementary closure strips fixed to respective ones of said sheets in the vicinity of the mouth of the bag, and a cursor having two side flanges interconnected by a web, the flanges being placed on the outsides of the sheets at the mouth of the bag and co-operating with a central elongate tongue to define two converging passages for the complementary closure strips, wherein the tongue is interrupted so as to be set back from the longitudinal end of the cursor, in particular at the wider end of the cursor corresponding to the diverging ends of the passages, and wherein side flanges are provided in the vicinity of their free edges remote from the web with urging means for urging the sheets of the bag towards each other, said means occupying the entire longitudinal extent of the tongue and extending longitudinally beyond each end thereof so as to ensure that the bag is leakproof when it is in its cl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Flexico-France
    Inventor: Henri Bois
  • Patent number: 6292986
    Abstract: An assembly of sliders for zippers for plastic bags and the like and the accumulation of the sliders for use in form, fill and seal machines is disclosed. The sliders are oriented and mechanically or adhesively joined into chains. Mechanical assembly of sliders may be accomplished by snapping sliders together or slideably mounting sliders on a strip. Sliders may be adhesively assembled together by taping, welding, gluing, or melting the sliders. Sliders and chains of sliders are accumulated in cartridges, carriers, coreless rolls, spools or trays which are then connected to form, fill and seal machines for attachment of the sliders to a zipper and attachment of the zipper with a slider to bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventors: Alexander R. Provan, Toby R. Thomas, Eric A. St. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6290795
    Abstract: In the manufacture of plastics bags using reclosable zipper strip (10,14) with engageable male and female profiles (12,16), a butt splicing operation is used to speed up the changeover from one reel of zipper strip to another. The trailing end of one strip and the leading end of the next strip are brought together in abutting relationship within a splicing unit, sealing material (22) is overlaid on the end zones of opposite sides of the strips, and this is sealed to the underlying zipper strips, preferably using heat and pressure. The flanges (18) of the zipper strips are held apart by separator plates (20) during the sealing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Murray Edward Bruce Leighton
  • Patent number: 6289561
    Abstract: An assembly of sliders for zippers for plastic bags and the like and the accumulation of the sliders for use in form, fill and seal machines is disclosed. The sliders are oriented and mechanically or adhesively joined into chains. Mechanical assembly of sliders may be accomplished by snapping sliders together or slideably mounting sliders on a strip. Sliders may be adhesively assembled together by taping, welding, gluing, or melting the sliders. Sliders and chains of sliders are accumulated in cartridges, carriers, coreless rolls, spools or trays which are then connected to form, fill and seal machines for attachment of the sliders to a zipper and attachment of the zipper with a slider to bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: Alexander R. Provan, Toby R. Thomas, Eric A. St. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6290393
    Abstract: A package, such as a flexible bag, having a resealable, reclosable zipper closure mechanism, opening and closing of which is accomplished by a slider device mounted on the zipper mechanism. A tamper-evident structure, such as a peel seal, is provided on the interior of the package between the zipper closure and the product retention volume. A second peel seal is provided between the zipper closure and environment surrounding the flexible package. Methods for making and using the dual peel seal zipper closure are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mladomir Tomic
  • Patent number: 6286191
    Abstract: A slide-zipper assembly, a method of attaching the slide-zipper assembly to thermoplastic film, and a method of making slide-zippered packages are provided. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the slide-zipper assembly is comprised of a reclosable zipper and an optional slider. The reclosable zipper includes a first profile interlockable with a second profile. Each profile includes an interlocking member and a flange extending from the interlocking member on one side thereof at the bottom of the zipper. The interlocking members are interlockable with one another. The zipper flanges are wrapped around the zipper and joined together at the top of the zipper. The slider straddles the zipper and is adapted to open the zipper as it is moved therealong in an opening direction and to close the zipper as it is moved therealong in a closing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Van Erden
  • Patent number: 6287000
    Abstract: A flexible package includes a recloseable zipper along the mouth of the package for selective opening and closing of the mouth. The zipper includes first and second closure profiles, which are configured and constructed to selectively interlock. A tamper evident seal is provided, attached to both the first and second closure members to indicate whether or not the seal on the package has been damaged. A slider device is configured and constructed to facilitate the mating (closing) and unmating (opening) of the zipper, and to open the tamper evident seal to provide access to the package interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Buchman
  • Patent number: 6253425
    Abstract: The present invention provides a slide fastener having a three-dimensional reflecting function on faces of fastener tapes by simple structure and means. Each of reflective tapes is provided separately from a fastener tape and has a band-shaped attaching portion, a bulging edge portion integrally formed on a longitudinal edge portion of the attaching portion, and a reflective portion formed by providing a retroreflective film or the like on the bulging edge portion. Each the reflective tape is attached to the fastener tape beside fastener elements such that at least a distance corresponding to a thickness of a flange of a slider is maintained between the bulging edge portion and the fastener elements, the reflective portion of the bulging edge portion appears and protrudes from a surface of the fastener tape, and that the bulging edge portion can swing. Each the reflective portion is not damaged by a sliding movement of the slider and can exhibit a three-dimensional reflecting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Matsushima, Takayuki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6183134
    Abstract: A zipper assembly is provided having first and second interlocking members respectively on first and second base strips. A first connect strip is secured to the first base strip and a second connect strip is secured to the second base strip. An extension of the second connect strip extends beyond the first connect strip when the interlocking members are engaged and a peel-sealable material is provided on the extension. A bag incorporating the zipper has the first connect strip attached to a first bag wall, the second connect strip attached to an opposite bag wall and the peels sealable material sealed to the first bag wall. A slider may be provided about the interlocking members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Art Malin
  • Patent number: 6182338
    Abstract: This invention provides a female-male engaging device with tapes having a flat shape and a good appearance, wherein a female engaging device and a male engaging device can be easily engaged and disengaged with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Hirokazu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6167597
    Abstract: A zipper strip for a reclosable package having a transverse zipper is provided. The zipper strip comprises a male profile and a female profile. Each profile includes at least one interlocking member extending from a base towards the opposite profile interlockable with an interlocking member on the opposite profile. One or both of the profiles is provided with at least one high compression member which allows the interlocked profiles to be sealed to thermoplastic film across the widths of their respective bases without the interlocking members being crushed or distorted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Art Malin
  • Patent number: 6154934
    Abstract: A reclosable zipper comprised of a first profile interlockable with a second profile is provided. Each profile is provided with a fusible rib layer for sealing the zipper to package material. The fusible rib layer includes a plurality of rib portions separated by planar portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Matthews
  • Patent number: 6115892
    Abstract: A zipper strip for a reclosable package having a transverse zipper is provided. The zipper strip comprises a male interlocking profile and a female interlocking profile. Each profile includes an interlocking member and an integral web which defines a leading flange. The leading flanges are sealed to thermoplastic film material which is used to make the reclosable packages and to each other. One of leading flanges is provided with a perforation along its length so that it can be separated by pulling the profiles apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Art Malin, Lawrence Share, Donald L. Van Erden
  • Patent number: 6112374
    Abstract: A slide zipper assembly comprising an interlocking zipper and a slider is provided. The zipper has a first profile and a second profile. The profiles each have a ribbon, a web attached to the ribbon, and an interlocking member attached to the web engageable with the interlocking member of the other profile. The slider is disposed for movement along the zipper and has a top from which two arms depend. The slider arms enclose the profile ribbons and have hooked ends which each hook around a profile ribbon to become positioned between the ribbon and its corresponding web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Van Erden
  • Patent number: 6088887
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bag having complementary closure strips (30, 40) actuated by cursor (50), the bag being characterized by the fact that it comprises means (60) adapted to ensure sealing between the inside walls of the bag when the bag is in its closed position, said means being in the zone of the bag underlying the strips (30, 40) at their end that receives the cursor (50) in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Flexico-France
    Inventor: Henri Georges Bois
  • Patent number: 6070306
    Abstract: A top stop and zipper teeth arrangement for a zipper in which the top stop has a sloping bottom edge smoothly curved inwards and sloping downwardly backwards and terminating in a downward bottom projection, the sloping bottom edge defining with the topmost edge of the first tooth of the row of teeth on the longitudinal side rib of the zipper tape a gap through which the slide of the zipper is insert into engagement with the zipper tape; the first tooth having a stop wall portion at a top side of a neck thereof for preventing an inside partition wall of the slide from being moved into engagement with the neck of the first tooth when the slide is pulled downwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Wallace Wang
  • Patent number: 6047450
    Abstract: A slide zipper assembly comprising a reclosable zipper and a slider is provided. The zipper includes a first profile interlockable with a second profile. The profiles include portions which form a fulcrum about which the profiles may be pivoted to disengage the profiles. The slider straddles the zipper and has a top from which two arms depend. The inner surface of one or both of the slider arms is shaped so that as the slider is moved along the zipper in an opening direction, one or both of the profiles is pivoted about the fulcrum so as to disengage the profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Zdenek Machacek, Robert G. Kobetsky
  • Patent number: 6036364
    Abstract: A fastener arrangement for use with a container having a reclosable profile includes a slider having walls forming a cavity for receiving an edge of the container. The walls are shaped to close the reclosable profile when the slider is slid in one direction. A retainer holds the walls together and also serves to open the reclosable profile when the slider is slid in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Vanden Heuvel
  • Patent number: 6014795
    Abstract: A slide zipper assembly comprising an interlocked zipper and a slider is provided. The zipper has a first profile and a second profile. The profiles have arms ending in hooks that are engaged when the zipper is in a closed position. The slider is disposed for movement along the zipper. The slider has an opening end and a closing end. At the opening end the slider has a separator that extends downwardly to engage a profile arm to bend the same so that its hook disengages from the hook of the opposite profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. McMahon, Donald L. Van Erden, Robert G. Kobetsky, Art Malin, Zdenek Machacek
  • Patent number: 6009603
    Abstract: A leak resistant reclosable plastic closure structure with stable interlocking fastener strips particularly suited for resealable and reopenable plastic film pouches or other flexible containers. The closure comprises first and second extruded thermoplastic continuous fastener strips having longitudinally extending engagable profiles having flanges affixed along the opening walls of a pouch forming marginal portions thereon.The first strip profile having a resilient central arch sealing means flanked by outward locking shoulders and walls that join at right angles to flanges forming a gap spanned by said film completing the exterior of a cavity therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Stephen F. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 5996187
    Abstract: A slider 1 for engaging at least two fasteners provided inside of opposed edge portions of a bag defining an opening. The fasteners each includes a male fastener member strip and provided on the inner surface of one of the edge portions and a female fastener member strip and provided on the inner surface of the other edge portion in opposed relation with the male fastener member. The slider 1 includes a slider body 2 and a clamp member 3 for the slider body 3. The slider body 2 includes two opposite plates 2a, 2a interconnected by a base portion 4 and foldable over each other at the base portion. At least one of plates 2a is formed in an inner surface thereof with at least two grooves 5, 5 arranged in parallel for fitting therein respective fastener portions of the bag for the plates 5, 5 to press and engage the fasteners from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignees: Sun A Kaken Co., Ltd., Piaru Corporation
    Inventors: Mikio Tanaka, Akira Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 5991980
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fastening device that is capable of creating a waterproof seal between fabrics and other materials. The fastening device includes two interlocking strips that have a tongue and groove mating relationship. A Z-shaped slider is used to position the interlocking strips such that the tongue portion is mated within the groove portion. The slider is also capable of disassociating the tongue from the groove to separate the fastening device. Stop blocks are provided at the ends of the interlocking strips and can create a fully waterproof seal when the fastening device is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Ben Meager
  • Patent number: 5983466
    Abstract: A resealable closure mechanism includes a matable section, slider-parking section, first closure profile, second closure profile, and a slider. The first and second closure profiles have a base strip and an interlocking closure member. In the matable section, the interlocking closure members each extend a first length respective of their base strips sufficient to selectively engage. In the slider-parking section, the interlocking closure members are truncated relative to the first length. The slider has a second length greater than the distance of the slider-parking section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Petkovsek
  • Patent number: 5953796
    Abstract: A slide zipper assembly comprising an interlocked zipper and a slider is provided. The zipper has a first profile and a second profile. The profiles have arms ending in hooks that are engaged when the zipper is in a closed position. The slider is disposed for movement along the zipper. The slider has an opening end and a closing end. At the opening end the slider has a separator that extends downwardly to engage a profile arm to bend the same so that its hook disengages from the hook of the opposite profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. McMahon, Donald L. Van Erden, Robert G. Kobetsky, Art Malin, Zdenek Machacek
  • Patent number: 5950285
    Abstract: In a thermoplastic bag having a reclosable fastener extending along the mouth of the bag and a slider straddling the fastener for opening and closing the fastener, the fastener including two opposing interlocking profiles along the side walls of the bag, the slider adapted to maintain straddling relation with the fastener, an improved endstop means proximate to at least one end of the reclosable fastener, the endstop means being formed from the material of the profiles and rising vertically from the fastener to a height adequate to engage the slider and prevent movement of the slider past the end of the bag. A rail extends along the length of at least one of the profiles on the outside thereof, the rail extending to a point sufficient to permit the slider to cooperate with the rail to maintain straddling relation with the fastener when the slider reaches the endstop. Docking means and methods of making endstop means and docking means are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson Home Storage Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Porchia, Brian C. Dais, Kenneth A. Toney, Judi R. Welsh, Thomas P. O'Connor, James W. Burke
  • Patent number: 5836056
    Abstract: A reclosable fastener assembly comprising a first fastener strip, a second fastener strip and a slider. The first fastener strip has an inner surface and an outer surface, including at least an uppermost closure element and a bottommost closure element positioned along the length of the inner surface. The second fastener strip has an inner surface and an outer surface, including at least an uppermost closure element and a bottommost closure element positioned along the length of the inner surface. The closure elements along the second fastener strip are adapted to engage with the closure elements along the first fastener strip, thereby interlocking the second fastener strip with the first fastener strip. The slider has a top and side walls depending from opposite sides of the top for receiving the fastener strips therebetween, the side walls extending downward from the top to a point below the uppermost closure elements, so that at least a portion of the fastener strips are held between the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson Home Storage Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Porchia, Brian C. Dais, Kenneth A. Toney, Judi R. Welsh
  • Patent number: 5809621
    Abstract: A reclosable fastener assembly comprising two profile strips with interlocking hooks, with a pair of handles positioned along the length of the outer surface of the second fastener strip, the handles adapted to cooperate with the second profile, such that when the handles are squeezed together, the hooks of the second profile disengage with the hooks of the first profile to open the fastener assembly. A slider moves along the fastening strips in straddling relation, the slider including means for squeezing the handles together as the slider moves toward the open position so that the profiles disengage. The profiles reengage when the slider moves in the reverse direction. Also disclosed are the slider and the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson Home Storage Inc.
    Inventors: John O. McCree, Richard Dawkins, Ken A. Toney
  • Patent number: 5722128
    Abstract: A reclosable fastener assembly with a slider for closing and opening a thermoplastic bag, including alternating deformed and undeformed segments disposed along the length of the fastener in order to provide a tactile and/or audible sensation as the slider moves across the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Dow Brands Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Toney, Jose Porchia, Brian C. Dais
  • Patent number: 5664299
    Abstract: A reclosable fastener assembly having two interlocking profiles with uppermost closure elements and bottommost closure elements and a slider for moving between a closed position and an open position along the profiles in straddling relation. The slider has a top and side walls depending from opposite sides of the top for receiving the profiles therebetween. The side walls extend downward from the top to a point at or below the profiles, and the side walls extend from a separating end of the slider to a pinching end. The side walls have a greater spacing at the separating end than at the pinching end, but close enough at the pinching end to press the first and second profiles into an interlocked relationship as the slider is moved toward the closed position. The slider has a separating leg depending from the top between the first and second side walls at the separating end of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Dowbrands L.P.
    Inventors: Jose Porchia, Brian C. Dais
  • Patent number: 5636415
    Abstract: A resilient fastener or zipper, which may be incorporated as part of a bag, pouch, wrapper or liner, or which may be used as a protective garment closure, includes a pair of flexible closure strips and at least one zipper slider. The strips include interlocking ribs and channels of complementary cross-sectional shape which lock together in an interference fit. The ribs have enlarged heads, and, complementarily, the channels have enlarged bottoms. The strips also include webs to which sheet material or the like may be attached and, between the webs and the interlocking ribs and channels, an anti-derailing rib. The latter ensures that the zipper slider remains on track and does not derail from the interlocking ribs and channels when the slider is moved therealong to open or to close the zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Peter A. R. James
  • Patent number: 5599415
    Abstract: A method of thermally splicing a first zipper to a second zipper, and the thermally formed splice produced by this method, are provided. The first and second zippers each include a male profile and a female profile adapted to interlock with each other. The splice is prepared by thermally fusing an end section of the male profile of the first zipper to an end section of the male profile of the second zipper and thermally fusing an end section of the female profile of the first zipper to an end section of the female profile of the second zipper. Alternatively, the splice can be prepared by thermally fusing the end sections of two closed zippers. The male profile of each zipper includes a male locking member, and the female profile of each zipper includes a female locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.
    Inventors: Mladomir Tomic, Gregory L. Petkovsek
  • Patent number: 5448807
    Abstract: A plastic clip is located at each end of a plastic zipper of a thermoplastic bag and fused with the ends of the profile elements of the zipper into a single mass by melting the clip to the zipper material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: F. John Herrington, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5442838
    Abstract: A plastic reclosable fastener with slider particularly suited for plastic bags and the like wherein the reclosable fastener is provided with structure located below the interlocking elements of the fastener which when engaged by the slider controls the opening and closing of the interlocking elements of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Richardson, Roger W. Smith
  • Patent number: 5435864
    Abstract: A plastic bag having a reclosable plastic zipper is provided with a tamper-evident, non-reclosable peel seal formed by coextruding an adhesive onto a side strip adjacent to the interlocking zipper. The coextrusion causes the adhesive to preferentially adhere to the side strip when the peel seal is broken. A method for manufacturing the reclosable plastic zipper includes the steps of coextruding a zipper profile including a plane area with an adhesive on the plane area, slitting the profile lengthwise, and folding over one of the resulting sides of the zipper to interlock them with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Minigrip, Inc.
    Inventors: Zdenek Machacek, Lawrence Share
  • Patent number: 5431760
    Abstract: In a continuous bag-making process, the film and zipper track moves intermittently through a bag machine in a continuous stream, so there is no end to the zipper track on which the slider can be inserted. In the present invention, in the intermittent motion-part of the bag machine, the zipper is cut apart at the location that is to be the edge of the bag, the ends formed by the cutter moved laterally relative to each other exposing the ends and the slider is inserted over one of the exposed ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Terry J. Donovan
  • Patent number: 5426830
    Abstract: A method of assembling a multi-part plastic slider as a unit with a plastic reclosable fastener on plastic-film bags is disclosed. The multi-part plastic slider includes a support member with a separator finger depending therefrom and two sidewalls joined to the support members by sliding joints on the opposite edges of the support member so that the support member and sidewalls may be partially assembled into a unit which unit is then assembled with the zipper by sliding movement of the sidewalls axially on the sliding joints on the opposite edges of the support member to bring the slider into fully assembled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Dale S. Richardson, Roger W. Smith
  • Patent number: 5371925
    Abstract: A mechanical bag closure and sealing assembly which includes inner and outer elongated inter-engaging clamp members between which the upper edges of a bag are selectively compressed and sealed and wherein the inner member includes opposing wall segments which are compressible to reduce the effective cross section thereof upon application of pressure to opposing flanges extending on opposite sides thereof to thereby facilitate insertion and removal of the inner member with respect to the outer member. In alternate embodiments, the base of the outer member includes a channel for receiving indicia and/or for receiving a magnet for facilitating mounting of the assembly to metallic surfaces. In other embodiments, the assembly may be mounted within tracks secured to cabinets or walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Kim R. Sawatsky
  • Patent number: 5363540
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a reclosable closure profile, wherein the configuration of the closure profile is mechanically altered for controlling the width of the gap in a groove member by passing the closure profile, while still hot enough to be formed, through a profile gapping means, whereby the surfaces of the closure profile contact the gapping means, thereby maintaining the desired final gap width of the closure profile and/or whereby the gapping means includes a cutting means for notching the base of the groove member for controlling the closure force of the groove member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Dowbrands L.P.
    Inventors: Brian C. Dais, Jose Porchia
  • Patent number: 5301395
    Abstract: A plastic reclosable fastener with slider for opening and closing the reclosable fastener on plastic-film bags and the like is disclosed. The plastic reclosable fastener and slider include a provision for restraining the slider in closed position and thereby maintaining the male and female elements of the fastener in interlocking relation to avoid inadvertent opening of the elements of the fastener when the slider reaches the fully closed position at the end of its travel along the fastener. The ends of the flanges of the fastener that are created by the slider-restraining notch are provided with diverging structure to facilitate re-entry of the slider separator structure between the flanges when the slider is moved toward the opposite end of the fastener to open the male and female elements of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Dale S. Richardson, Roger W. Smith