Opposed Interlocking Surface Having Dissimilar Cross Section Patents (Class 24/400)
  • Patent number: 6287001
    Abstract: A flexible package includes a package surrounding wall having a side edge and a mouth. A recloseable zipper is provided along the mouth for selective opening and closing of the mouth. The zipper includes first and second closure profiles. The first closure profile has a first closure member and a first flange. The second closure profile has a second closure member and a second flange. The first and second closure members are constructed and arranged to selectively interlock. A slider device is constructed and arranged to selectively open and close the mouth. A first seal region and a second seal region are provided. The first seal region permanently secures together the first and second flanges of the first and second closure profiles. The first seal region has a first length extending from the side edge. The second seal region permanently secures together the first and second closure members of the first and second closure profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Buchman
  • Patent number: 6264366
    Abstract: Reclosable closure arrangements suitable for use with packages, such as food and non-food packages, include a zipper closure having mating closure profiles that are releasably engageable with each other, a slider device to open and close the profiles, and a tamper evident-structure. In some embodiments, the tamper evident-structure is positioned between the zipper closure and the slider device. In other embodiments, the tamper evident-structure is positioned over the zipper closure and the slider device. The tamper evident-structure may be a variety of constructions, such as an encapsulating layer. The tamper-evident structures may include structures such as peel seals, areas of weakness, and solid folds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard G. Custer
  • 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: 6247844
    Abstract: A resealable slider closure mechanism includes a first closure profile, a second closure profile, a slider, and a plow. The plow is a separate piece that is attached to the slider at a later time. The plow has an attachment peg extending from it, while the slider has a cavity adapted to receive the attachment peg. The attachment peg is press-fitted, snap-fitted, or welded into the cavity. Alternatively, the plow has a tongue instead of an attachment peg while the slider has a groove instead of a cavity adapted to receive the tongue. The tongue is press-fitted, snap-fitted, or welded into the groove. The slider and the plow are designed to receive the first and second closure profiles, to slide along the first and second closure profiles in a first direction to cause the first and second closure profiles to engage, and to slide along the first and second closure profiles in a second direction to cause the first and second closure profiles to disengage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mladomir Tomic, Gregory L. Petkovsek
  • Publication number: 20010002504
    Abstract: A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags that includes a zipper and at least one slider. The zipper includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track has a first profile and the second track has a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The first track has one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the first profile. At least one slider is inserted onto the first profile via a respective one of the primary notches. The slider is adapted to engage and disengage the first and second profiles in response to movement along the zipper. The second track may have one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the second profile. The spaced primary notches of the second track are generally aligned to respective ones of the primary notches of the first track. At least one slider is inserted onto the aligned pairs of primary notches via a respective one of the generally aligned notches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Inventors: Alexander R. Provan, Thomas L. Coomber, Ian J. Barclay, David V. Dobreski, Toby R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6182337
    Abstract: A zipper assembly is provided having a first profile and a second profile having interlocking members facing each other. Each of the profiles has an extension on a surface directed toward the other profile and disposed between its interlocking member and a lower distal end from which the zipper may be sealed to a bag. A slider may be disposed about the zipper assembly for engaging and disengaging the profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Zdenek Machacek, Robert G. Kobetsky
  • Patent number: 6178602
    Abstract: A slider zipper reclosable fastener wherein the zipper includes fastener strips and closure elements on the fastener strips which are extruded integrally. The closure elements are arranged at particular angles by extrusion opening angles in order to increase burst strength. Ridges on the fastener strips and shoulders on the slider hold the slider on the zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Huntsman KCL Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Burke, Thomas P. O'Connor
  • 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: 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: 6101685
    Abstract: The present invention is a container for storing fine particles such as bakery flour in a sealed packaging, wherein air in the container such as entrapped during filling can be expelled through compression without loss of the fine particles. The container comprises a main body forming a pouch, terminating in a principal opening, fabricated from an imperforate flexible material such as clear plastic film, a sealing mechanism attached to the pouch for sealing the pouch, and a multiplicity of microscopic pores extending through the flexible material having a dimension ranging from 10 to 150 .mu.m) sufficient to permit air to exit through the exit port, but to prevent the fine particles from escaping through the pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Archibald, Rodney K. Gwiazdon, George A. Tuszkiewicz
  • 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: 6044531
    Abstract: Seal for bags and the like designed to carry out the attaching of the operating tongue of a zipper making up the fastening means of a bag or the like, the seal made up from a flattened channelled-shaped base body provided with undetachable fastening means for said bag or the like, said body having a narrowing associated to one of the ends of its mouthpiece, in a way such that this mouthpiece takes a shape matching with that of said tongue, which is being engageable to said mouthpiece, using the groove-tongue effect, allowing only a frontal engagement which is longitudinally locking both components. Also the spline of the base body has a higher depth than the tongue's thickness and incorporates some supports for said tongue; these supports defining a coplanar position between the tongue and the mouthpiece of the base body; in this position both components are lockable by means of a third part making up the seal and being concurrently engageable to the former ones (FIGS. 7 and 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Jaime Baucells Granell
  • 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: 5988880
    Abstract: The resealable package includes a first panel section sealed to a second panel section along two side edges and a bottom edge. The sealed edges define an enclosed region having a mouth that provides access to the enclosed region. The package also includes a closure arrangement for opening and sealing the mouth. The closure arrangement is oriented in the mouth and secured to the first and second panel sections. The closure arrangement and a seal along one of the side edges define a gap having a first area. The closure arrangement includes two closure profiles. Each closure profile has a base strip and an interlocking closure member extending from the base strip. The two closure profiles are designed to selectively interlock. The interlocking closure member of the first closure profile is designed to reduce the area of the gap between the closure arrangement and the side seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mladomir Tomic
  • 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: 5956815
    Abstract: A slider zipper reclosable fastener wherein the zipper includes fastener strips and closure elements on the fastener strips which are extruede integrally. The closure elements are arranged at particulare angles by extrusion opeining angles in order to increase burst strength. Ridges on the fastener strips and shoulders on the slider hold the slider on the zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: KCL Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. O'Connor, James W. Burke
  • 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: 5924173
    Abstract: A plastic bag comprises first and second opposing panels, a reclosable zipper, and a slider. The first and second opposing panels are fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The reclosable zipper extends along a mouth formed opposite the bottom. The zipper includes a first track with a first profile and a second track with a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The slider is slidably mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. The first and second profiles are engaged to each other while the slider is in the closed position, and the first and second profiles are disengaged from each other in response to movement of the slider from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventors: David V. Dobreski, Michael W. McManus
  • Patent number: 5896627
    Abstract: A slider is disclosed for straddling relation with a profiled plastic zipper of a reclosable bag. The zipper has first and second interlocking profiles, and the straddling slider closes and opens the interlocking profiles by movement along the zipper. The slider includes a transverse support member and a pair of side walls extending downward from opposing sides of the support member. The side walls forming respective first and second shoulders extending inwardly toward each other. The first and second shoulders include respective first and second innermost ends facing and contacting respective adjacent portions of the reclosable bag below the respective first and second interlocking profiles. The first and second innermost ends define a tortuous path therebetween, and the adjacent portions of the reclosable bag pass through said tortuous path. The tortuous path is created by protrusions formed by at least one of the innermost ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. Cappel, Toby R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5867875
    Abstract: A foldable plastic slider for straddling relation with a profiled plastic zipper. The straddling slider for closing or opening the zipper by movement therealong, comprising: a transverse support member including opposing sides, a pair of legs depending from the opposing sides of the support member, and a pair of wings hingedly attached to the opposing sides. Each wing has an opening for receiving its respective leg, and each wing has a cored out cross piece. The cored out cross piece has a solid ramp latch. The wings are folded relative to the support member and the latches engage the legs to assemble the slider on the zipper in a closed sidewall position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Roland G. Beck, Robert F. Brissette, Joachim Bocon, Gary F. Ebert, Eric A. St. Phillips
  • 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: 5836057
    Abstract: A zip plastic bags comprising at least one strip of a flexible material (2) for packaging which is stuck to the opening region of the bag, two strips of semi-rigid material (1a, 1b) attached along said flexible strip (2) which have at least one tongue (3) and groove (4) so that the tongue (3) of one semi-rigid strip (1a, 1b) can be inserted into the groove (4) of the other semi-rigid strip (1a, 1b), thereby latching the strips(1a, 1b) one to another, a clasp (5) that grasps these strips (1a, 1b; 2) in joining of separating manner as it slides along the strips (1a, 1b 2) and a tab (6) attached to the clasp (5) for sliding the clasp (5) and for tearing open the bag, when opened the first time, with the aid of sharp protrusion or pin (7) positioned on the tip of the tab (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Daniel Machfud
  • Patent number: 5833791
    Abstract: A plastic bag comprises first and second opposing panels, a reclosable zipper, and a slider. The first and second opposing panels are fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The reclosable zipper extends along a mouth formed opposite the bottom. The zipper includes a first track with a first profile and a second track with a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The slider is slidably mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. The first and second profiles are engaged to each other while the slider is in the closed position, and the first and second profiles are disengaged from each other in response to movement of the slider from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventors: David A. Bryniarski, Vernon C. Catchman, David V. Dobreski, Michael W. McManus
  • 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: 5729876
    Abstract: An improved reclosable fastener assembly is disclosed having a substantially C-shaped closure element which defines a channel, and a first arm and second arm extending from the ends thereof. Clasps are disposed on the ends of the arm portions which extend inwardly. A U-shaped closure element is further provided which has a curved centrally disposed portion and a pair of legs extending angularly outward from the center of the interior surface from the center line. The legs each have a hook on their end which extend laterally outward. A pair of bumpers are disposed on the base of the U-shaped member with a curved exterior portion between the end of the hook and the bumper on each side. The closure elements are constructed and arranged for reclosably fastening to each other over a predetermined length. One or more ribs are centrally disposed on the C-shape closure element which abut against the first and second legs and the curved portion during interlocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: AMI/Recpro, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Johnson
  • 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: 5689866
    Abstract: A plastic zipper has a pair of female (11, 13) and male (21, 23) hooks formed on the surface of plastic films, 10, 20 and an inside of the male hooks are engaged with a pressing rib 31 to form a sealing section independent of a locking section constituted by the pair of female and male hooks. The zipper permits good hermetic sealing performance, easy opening, and easy reseating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Showa Highpolymer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Juichi Kasai, Yoshihiro Tomomoto, Osamu Uemura
  • Patent number: 5669715
    Abstract: A reclosable plastic bag comprises first and second opposing panels fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The bag is provided with a reclosable zipper extending along a mouth formed opposite the sealed bottom. The zipper includes a male track with a male profile and a female track with a female profile. A slider is slidably mounted to the zipper 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 to the open position. To prevent tampering with the contents of the plastic bag prior to being initially opened, the slider is initially parked in the closed position at one end of the zipper, and upper edges of the male and female profiles are detachably connected to each other, except at the one end of the zipper supporting the parked slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventors: David V. Dobreski, Michael W. McManus, Alexander R. Provan, Toby R. Thomas
  • 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: 5628093
    Abstract: A mattress assembly includes a mattress base and a mattress top having first and second major surfaces extending to a peripheral edge. Slidable fastener means disposed between the mattress top and the mattress base removably and rotatably attaches the mattress top to the mattress base. In an associated method for moving a body depression in a mattress, the mattress top is attached to the base with at least one zipper having a first side and a second side. Opening the zipper permits removal and rotation of the mattress top relative to the mattress base to move the body depression to a different position. Closing the zipper reattaches the mattress top to the mattress base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventor: Clarke W. Goodale
  • Patent number: 5588187
    Abstract: An extruded zipper for use in closing out vehicle seat backs has a first and a second flexible closure strip, each of which includes a web and a flange extending parallel to one another from an interlocking portion. The web and flange on each flexible closure strip are separated from one another by a groove, which is used to dispose the interlocking portions in a stacked relationship to one another, so that they may be joined with a hammer-like blow delivered in a direction perpendicular to the webs. The webs are attached to opposite sides of the opening in a seat back cover, which is provided in a premanufactured sack-like configuration. In a method for closing out vehicle seat backs using the extruded zipper, the grooves enable the interlocking portions of the flexible closures strips to be positioned in the required stacked relationship prior to the delivery of the interlocking blow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Henry L. Swain
  • Patent number: 5586370
    Abstract: A separable bottom stop assembly, for a slide fastener, having a four-member structure composed of a box, a box pin, an separable pin and a stopper. The box has a stopper-insertion hole having on upper and lower surfaces locking grooves engageable with locking ridges of the stopper. A central partition of the box has a locking recess engageable with a locking projection of the box pin. The box pin has a recess for receiving an end of the stopper. Since the stopper engages in the recess while the locking projection engages in the locking recess, the box and box pin can be joined firmly without accidental removal. The box can be attached to the box pin after fastener stringers are sewn to a garment, realizing easy and neat sewing without obstruction by the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Fudaki
  • Patent number: 5581854
    Abstract: A zipper intended for use in auto seat covers and the like includes a male half and a female half. The male half has a male interlocking member and a web and a tab extending substantially parallel to one another in a direction opposite to that of the male interlocking member. The web and the tab define a first channel behind the male interlocking member. In like manner, the female half has a female interlocking member and a web and a tab extending substantially parallel to one another in a direction opposite to that in which the female interlocking member faces. The web and the tab define a second channel behind the female interlocking member. The male and female halves may be joined to and interlocked with one another through compression applied in a direction substantially parallel to the webs and directed through the first and second channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Henry L. Swain
  • Patent number: 5577305
    Abstract: An improved fastener assembly for reclosable plastic containers is provided. The assembly includes a male closure element having a male base member which is elastically deformable and resilient and a barb element extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. A female closure element has a base with a substantially C-shaped track disposed thereon. The C-shaped track is constructed and arranged for selective engagement with the male closure element. The female base member is also elastically deformable and resilient. At least one of the base members has a curved exterior surface which deforms when sealing pressure is applied, thereby facilitating sealing of the fastener assembly to reclosable plastic bags by correcting for variations in pressure, temperature, and angle of the sealing bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventor: James R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5486255
    Abstract: A recloseable profile strip designed to eliminate the slipping of the top web with respect to the bottom web in the recloseable profile strip of a recloseable package and remove the need for a tack seal. The present invention utilizes a joining web to join the top web and bottom web of the recloseable profile strip of a recloseable package. The recloseable profile strip is extruded through a die from molten material in a flat, single strip. In the double recloseable profile strip of the present invention, the first and second top webs each having an interlocking member flank the bottom web having two interlocking members. A thin, first joining web joins the the margin of the first top web to a first margin of the bottom web, and a thin, second joining web joins the margin of the second top web to the second margin of the bottom web. The single strip is then cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.
    Inventor: Steven H. Simonsen
  • Patent number: 5448808
    Abstract: A plastic zipper slider having hinged wings is provided with an improved latch tongue which is deflected downward to snap in place. Additional flexible latch web structure cooperates with the latch tongue to provide additional forces which are active in assuring that the wings are fully latched and to also provide additional resistance to unlatching the wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Jon Gross
  • Patent number: 5442837
    Abstract: A leakproof plastic zipper with integrated end stops for a zipper slider particularly suited for thermoplastic bags. An increased flange height above the interlocking elements of the zipper and an increased plow depth on the separator of the slider extending down between the flanges provide a means of stopping the travel of the slider past the ends of the zipper. The separator structure depending from the slider has a configuration in vertical cross-section corresponding to an inverted T, the horizontal portion of the T having the ends thereof adapted to be received in window structure in the flanges above the interlocking elements and adjacent one of the integrated end stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin P. Morgan
  • 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: 5431601
    Abstract: A seal fastener provided between the facing edges of two sheets (7) for joining and separating them has a male interlocking strip (13) formed along the edge of one of the sheets and having a bulging edge (14), and a female interlocking strip (16) formed from a rubbery elastic material along the edge of the other sheet and having an interlocking groove (17) for receiving the male interlocking strip therein. The male interlocking strip (13) is provided with a clamped insert (15) embedded therein and having a corrugated shape in top plan, and the female interlocking strip is provided with a clamping insert (19A or 19B) embedded therein about its interlocking groove (17) and having a substantially ovoid cross-sectional shape like the fruit of an eggplant. The fastener is easy to close and is high in durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Tokue Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Saburo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5425825
    Abstract: A plastic bag having a reclosable plastic zipper is provided with a tamper-evident, non-reclosable peel seal formed by applying an adhesive to a treated strip adjacent to the interlocking zipper. The treatment is preferably by corona discharge, which causes the adhesive used to provide the peel seal to preferentially adhere to the treated strip when the peel seal is broken. A method for manufacturing the reclosable plastic zipper includes the steps of extruding a zipper profile, treating a portion of its surface, preferably by corona discharge, applying an adhesive to the treated portion, slitting the profile lengthwise, and folding over one of the resulting sides of the zipper to interlock them with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Inventors: George Rasko, Lawrence Share
  • Patent number: 5405478
    Abstract: Plastic-film zipper bags having tubular plastic end stops bonded to the plastic zipper to seal the ends of the zipper and to provide stops to retain a slider on the zipper are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of installing the tubular plastic end stops on the zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Dale S. Richardson, Roger W. Smith
  • 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
  • Patent number: 5301394
    Abstract: A plastic reclosable fastener or zipper with slider detent lock for locking the slider in closed position on plastic-film bags and the like is disclosed. The slider includes two spring-loaded detent elements located on opposite sides of the separator finger on the slider. When the slider is at any location other than the fully closed position at the end of the fastener, the spring-loaded detent elements ride against the outside surfaces of the flanges by which the separator finger opens the fastener. When the slider reaches the location at the end of the fastener where portions of the flanges have been removed to provide a notch, the spring-loaded detent elements spring inward against the sides of the separator finger. There they resist an attempt to move the slider in an opening direction because this requires that they be forced outward over the flanges of the zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Dale S. Richardson, Roger W. Smith