Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CLOSURE DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to closure
devices and, more particularly, to a slider for closure
devices with interlocking fastening strips. The
inventive slider may be employed in traditional fastener
areas, and is particularly well suited for fastening
flexible storage containers, including plastic bags.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of closure devices for fastening storage
containers, including plastic bags, is generally well
known. Furthermore, the manufacture of closure devices
made of plastic materials is generally known to those
skilled in the art, as demonstrated by the numerous
patents in this area.
A particularly well-known use for closure devices is
in connection with flexible storage containers, such as
plastic bags. In some instances, the closure device and
the associated container are formed from thermoplastic
materials, and the closure device and the side walls of
the container are integrally formed by extrusion as a
single piece. Alternatively, the closure device and side
walls of the container may be formed as separate pieces
and then connected by heat sealing or any other suitable
connecting process. In either event, such closure devices
are particularly useful in providing a closure means for
retaining matter within the bag.
Conventional closure devices typically utilize mating
male and female fastening strips or closure elements which
are used to selectively seal the bag. With such closure
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devices, however, it is often difficult to determine
whether the fastening strips are fully occluded. This
problem is particularly acute when the strips are
relatively narrow. Accordingly, when such fastening
strips are employed, there exists a reasonable likelihood
that the closure device is at least partially open.
Such fastening strips devices are also particularly
difficult to handle by individuals with limited manual
dexterity. Thus, in order to assist these individuals and
for ease of use by individuals with normal dexterity, the
prior art has also provided sliders for use in opening and
closing the fastening strips, as disclosed, for example,
in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,199,845, 5,007,142, 5,007,143,
5,010,627, 5,020,194, 5,070,583, 5,283,932, 5,301,394,
5,426,830, 5,431,760, 5,442,838, and 5,448,808. Some of
these sliders include a separator finger which extends at
least partially between the fastening strips. When the
slider is moved in the appropriate direction, the
separator finger divides the fastening strips and opens
the bag.
During assembly of closure devices utilizing sliders,
the sliders are often mounted onto fastening strips by
moving the slider over the fastening strips in the
vertical axis. Specifically, if the longitudinal axis of
the fastening strips and slider is the X axis, the width
is the transverse Y axis and the height is the vertical Z
axis, the slider is attached to the fastening strips by
moving the slider over the fastening strips in the
vertical Z axis. In the past, sliders attached in the
vertical Z axis have utilized either a multi-part or
folding design. In either case the slider must be
properly positioned along the fastening strip while the
slider components are either snapped or ultrasonically
welded together. These procedures increase the
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manufacturing costs. Examples of sliders with multiple
parts are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,007,142 and
5,283,932 and folding plastic sliders in U.S. Patent Nos.
5,067,208, 5,070,583, and 5,448,808. The prior art has
failed to afford a slider that is attached to the
fastening strips in the vertical Z axis through a single
step process. It would be desirable to have a slider that
may be attached to the fastening strips in the vertical Z
axis by merely urging the slider over the fastening
strips. Such a device would reduce the manufacturing
costs of closure devices utilizing sliders in addition to
providing an effective and reliable means of attaching
sliders to the fastening strips.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a general object of the present
invention is to provide a slider which overcomes the
deficiencies of the prior art.
A more specific object of the present invention is
to provide a one piece slider that may be attached to the
fastening strips in the vertical Z axis by merely urging
the slider over the fastening strips.
A related object of the present invention is to
provide a slider that once attached prevents itself from
being removed from the fastening strips thereafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a slider for closure devices is
provided which accomplishes these and other objects and
overcomes the above-identified drawbacks of the prior
art. The inventive slider is intended for use with a
storage container which includes a pair of complementary
sheets or opposing flexible side walls, such as a plastic
bag. The closure device includes interlocking fastening
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strips disposed along respective edge portions of the
opposing side walls, and a slider slidably disposed on the
interlocking fastening strips for facilitating the
occlusion and deocclusion of the fastening strips when
moved towards first and second ends thereof. In accordance
with the present invention, flexible shoulders and legs are
disposed on the slider for facilitating the attachment of
the slider onto the fastening strips in the vertical Z
axis. The flexible shoulders and legs further provide
resistance against the removal of the slider from the
fastening strips in the vertical Z axis thereafter.
In one aspect, the present invention resides in a
closure device comprising: a first fastening strip; a
second fastening strip; and a slider adapted to be slidably
disposed on said fastening strips and facilitating the
occlusion of said fastening strips when moved towards a
first end thereof and facilitating the deocclusion of said
fastening strips when moved towards a second end thereof,
said fastening strips and said slider having a longitudinal
X axis and a transverse Y axis, said transverse Y axis
being perpendicular to said longitudinal X axis, said
fastening strips and said slider having a vertical Z axis,
said vertical Z axis being perpendicular to said
longitudinal X axis, said vertical Z axis being
perpendicular to said transverse Y axis, said slider
comprising a housing having a top portion, a first side
portion, and a second side portion, said first side portion
having a first end and a second end, said second side
portion having a first end and a second end, said top
portion being operably connected to said first end of said
first side portion and said first end of said second side
portion, said slider having a first flexible shoulder
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facilitating the attachment of said slider onto said
fastening strips in said vertical Z axis and preventing
removal of said slider from said fastening strips in the
vertical Z axis thereafter, said first flexible shoulder
being operably connected to said second end of said first
side portion wherein said first flexible shoulder is
operably connected to a first slider leg.
In another aspect, the present invention resides in a
slider adapted to be slidably disposed on fastening strips
and facilitating the occlusion of said fastening strips
when moved towards a first end thereof and facilitating the
deocclusion of said fastening strips when moved towards a
second end thereof, said slider comprising: a longitudinal
X axis and a transverse Y axis, said transverse Y axis
being perpendicular to said longitudinal X axis, said
fastening strips and said slider having a vertical Z axis,
said vertical Z axis being perpendicular to said
longitudinal X axis, said vertical Z axis being
perpendicular to said transverse Y axis, said slider
comprising a housing having a top portion, a first side
portion, and a second side portion, said first side portion
having a first end and a second end, said second side
portion having a first end and a second end, said top
portion being operably connected to said first end of said
first side portion and said first end of said second side
portion, said slider having a first flexible shoulder
facilitating the attachment of said slider onto said
fastening strips in said vertical Z axis and preventing
removal of said slider from said fastening strips in the
vertical Z axis thereafter, said first flexible shoulder
being operably connected to said second end of said first
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side portion, and wherein said first flexible shoulder is
operably connected to a first slider leg.
In another aspect, the present invention resides in a
container comprising: first and second sidewalls, said
first and second sidewalls including mating first and
second fastening strips respectively, said first and second
fastening ships comprising a closure device arranged to be
interlocked over a predetermined length, a slider adapted
to be slidably disposed on said fastening strips and
facilitating the occlusion of said fastening strips when
moved towards a first end thereof and facilitating the
deocclusion of said fastening strips when moved towards a
second end thereof, said fastening strips and said slider
having a longitudinal X axis and a transverse Y axis, said
transverse Y axis being perpendicular to said longitudinal
X axis, said fastening strips and said slider having a
vertical Z axis, said vertical Z axis being perpendicular
to said longitudinal X axis, said vertical Z axis being
perpendicular to said transverse Y axis, said slider
comprising a housing having a top portion, a first side
portion, and a second side portion, said first side portion
having a first end and a second end, said second side
portion having a first end and a second end, said top
portion being operably connected to said first end of said
first side portion and said first end of said second side
portion, said slider having a first flexible shoulder
facilitating the attachment of said slider onto said
fastening strips in said vertical Z axis and preventing
removal of said slider from said fastening strips in the
vertical Z axis thereafter, said first flexible shoulder
being operably connected to said second end of said first
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side portion and wherein said first flexible shoulder is
operably connected to a first slider leg.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides
a method of assembling a slider onto a closure device
comprising the steps of: providing a first fastening
strip, providing a second fastening strip, providing a
slider adapted to be slidably disposed on said fastening
strips and facilitating the occlusion of said fastening
strips when moved towards a first end thereof and
facilitating the deocclusion of said fastening strips when
moved towards a second end thereof, said fastening strips
and said slider having a longitudinal X axis and a
transverse Y axis, said transverse Y axis being
perpendicular to said longitudinal X axis, said fastening
strips and said slider having a vertical Z axis, said
vertical Z axis being perpendicular to said longitudinal X
axis, said vertical Z axis being perpendicular to said
transverse Y axis, said slider comprising a housing having
a top portion, a first side portion, and a second side
portion, said first side portion having a first end and a
second end, said second side portion having a first end and
a second end, said top portion being operably connected to
said first end of said first side portion and said first
end of said second side portion, said slider having a first
flexible shoulder facilitating the attachment of said
slider onto said fastening strips in said vertical Z axis
and preventing removal of said slider from said fastening
strips in the vertical Z axis thereafter, said first
flexible shoulder being operably connected to said second
end of said first side portion, wherein said first flexible
shoulder is operably connected to a first slider leg;
urging said slider over said fastening strips in said
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vertical Z axis whereby said first flexible shoulder
deflects to permit passage of said fastening strips into
said housing, once said fastening strips have passed into
said housing, said flexible shoulder retracting back to its
original position thus preventing removal of said slider
from said fastening strips in the vertical Z axis
thereafter.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of
the present invention will become more readily apparent
upon reading the following detailed description of
exemplified embodiments and upon reference to the
accompanying drawings herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container according
to the present invention in the form of a plastic bag;
Fig. 2 is a partial top view of the container in Fig.
1;
Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along
line 3-3 in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a front view of the slider in Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a rear view of the slider in Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the slider in Fig. 2;
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Fig. 6A is a bottom view of another embodiment of the
slider;
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7
5 in Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8
in Fig. 5;
Fig. 9 is a front view of the slider and cross-
sectional view of the fastening strips and illustrates
their respective positions to one another as the slider is
positioned onto the fastening strips;
Fig. 10 is a front view of the slider and cross-
sectional view of the fastening strips and illustrates
their respective positions to one another as the slider is
positioned onto the fastening strips;
Fig. 11 is a front view of the slider and cross-
sectional view of the fastening strips and illustrates
their respective positions to one another as the slider is
positioned onto the fastening strips;
Fig. 12 is a front view of the slider and cross-
sectional view of the fastening strips and illustrates
their respective positions to one another as the slider is
positioned onto the fastening strips;
Fig. 13 is a front view of the slider and cross-
sectional view of the fastening strips and illustrates
their respective positions to one another as the slider is
positioned onto the fastening strips;
Fig. 14 is a rear view of the slider similar to Fig.
5 and illustrates the properties of the slider design;
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Fig. 15 is a rear view of another embodiment of the
slider;
Fig. 16 is a rear view of another embodiment of the
slider;
Fig. 17 is a rear view of another embodiment of the
slider;
Fig. 18 is a rear view of another embodiment of the
slider;
Fig. 19 is a rear view of another embodiment of the
slider;
Fig. 20 is a rear view of another embodiment of the
slider and a cross-sectional view of the fastening strips;
Fig. 21 is a front view of another embodiment of the
slider and a cross-sectional view of the fastening strips;
Fig. 21A is a front view of another embodiment of the
slider and a cross-sectional view of the fastening strips;
Fig. 22 is a front view of another embodiment of the
slider;
Fig. 23 is a rear view of another embodiment of the
slider and a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the fastening strips;
Fig. 24 is a rear view of another embodiment of the
slider and a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the fastening strips; and
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Fig. 25 is a rear view of another embodiment of the
slider and a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the fastening strips.
While the present invention will be described and
disclosed in connection with certain embodiments and
procedures, the intent is not to limit the present
invention to these embodiments and procedures. On the
contrary, the intent is to cover all such alternatives,
modifications, and equivalents that fall within the
spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by
the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
The present invention provides an interlocking
closure device with a slider which establishes a leak
proof seal. Turning now to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2
illustrate a container in the form of a plastic bag 120
having a sealable closure device 121. The bag 120
includes side walls 122, 123 joined at seams 124, 125 to
form a compartment sealable by means of the closure device
121. The closure device comprises first and second
fastening strips 130, 131 and a slider 132.
The fastening strips 130, 131 and slider 132 have a
longitudinal X axis 102 and a transverse Y axis 104 which
is perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis 102. The
fastening strips have a vertical Z axis 106 which is
perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis 102 and which is
perpendicular to the transverse Y axis 104.
In use, the slider 132 of the present invention
facilitates the occlusion and deocclusion of the
interlocking fastening strips 130, 131 when moved in the
appropriate direction along the longitudinal X axis 102
of the strips 130,131. In particular, the slider 132
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facilitates the occlusion of the interlocking fastening
strips 130, 131 when moved towards a first end 110
thereof, and facilitates the deocclusion of the
interlocking fastening strips 130, 131 when moved towards
a second end 112 thereof. When the slider 132 is moved
in an occlusion direction, as indicated by reference
numeral 114 in FIGS. 1 and 2, closure of the fastening
strips 130, 131 occurs. Conversely, when the slider 132
is moved in a deocclusion direction, as indicated by
reference numeral 116, separation of the fastening strips
130, 131 occurs.
In keeping with a general aspect of the present
invention and as will be described in greater detail
below, the interlocking fastening strips 130, 131 of the
present invention may be of virtually any type or form
including, for example: (1) U-channel fastening strips as
shown herein at FIG. 3; (2) shear action or Z-axis
fastening strips, and as shown herein at FIG. 23; (3)
arrowhead-type fastening strips, as disclosed in U.S.
Patent Nos. 5,007,142 and 5,020,194, and as shown herein
at FIG. 24; (4) rolling action fastening strips, as
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,007,143, and as shown
herein at FIG. 25; and/or (5) Pentabar fastening strips as
disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,516,268.
An illustrative example of the type of closure device
that may be used with the present invention is shown in
Fig. 3. U-channel fastening strips include a first
fastening strip 130 with a first closure element 136 and a
second fastening strip 131 with a second closure element
134. The first closure element 136 engages the second
closure element 134. The first fastening strip 130 may
include a pair of wings 137 spaced-apart on the first
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fastening strip on each side of the first closure element
136.
The second closure element 134 includes a base
portion 138 having a pair of spaced-apart parallely
disposed webs 140, 141 extending from the base portion
138. The webs 140, 141 include hook closure portions 142,
144 extending from the webs 140, 141 respectively, and
facing towards each other. The hook closure portions 142,
144 include guide surfaces 146, 147 which serve to guide
the hook closure portions 142, 144 for occluding with the
hook closure portions 152, 154 of the first closure
element 136.
The first closure element 136 includes a base portion
148 including a pair of spaced-apart, parallely disposed
webs 150, 151 extending from the base portion 148. The
webs 150, 151 include hook closure portions 152, 154
extending from the webs 150, 151 respectively and facing
away from each other. The hook closure portions 152, 154
include guide surfaces 145, 155, which generally serve to
guide the hook closure portions 152, 154 for occlusion
with the hook closure portions 142, 144 of the second
closure element 134. The guide surfaces 145, 155 may also
have a rounded crown surface. In addition, the hook
closure portions 144, 154 may be designed so that the hook
closure portions 144, 154 adjacent the interior of the
container provide a greater resistance to opening the
closure device 121. The first fastening strip 130 may
include wings 137 as shown in Fig. 3. The wings 137 are
flexible and extend from the base 148 of the fastening
strip 130. Each wing 137 terminates in an end portion 143
which projects outwardly from the wing 137.
Referring to Figs. 4-8, the slider 132 includes a
housing 160 and an attaching means 162. The housing 160
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may include a top portion 170, a separator finger 172, a
first side portion 174, and a second side portion 176.
The attaching means 162 includes a first flexible shoulder
230, a second flexible shoulder 232, a first leg 234, a
5 second leg 236, and a slot 180. The separator finger 172
extends downward from the top portion 170 toward the slot
180. The slider 132 has a first end 184 and a second end
186.
10 The separator finger 172 extends from the second end
186 towards the first end 184. The separator finger 172
has a first end 190 and a second end 192. The second end
192 is wider than the first end 190. The separator finger
172 has a first side portion 224 and a second side portion
226. The side portions 224, 226 taper inwardly from the
second end 192 to the first end 190 as shown in Figs. 6
and 7. The separator 172 has a triangular shape as shown
in Fig. 7. The separator may have other shapes, such as,
trapezoids, ovals, rectangles, circular shapes and any
other shape.
The top portion 170 of the slider merges into a first
side portion 174 and a second side portion 176. The first
side portion 174 has an upper inner surface 240, a lower
inner surface 198, and an outer surface 242. Similarly,
the second side portion 176 has an upper inner surface
248, a lower inner surface 208, and an outer surface 250.
From the top portion 170 the outside surfaces 242, 250 of
the side portions 174, 176 angle outwardly away from the
center line 244 as illustrated in Fig. 4. As viewed in
Fig. 7, from the second end 186 the inner surfaces 240,
248 of the side portions 174, 176 angle inwardly toward
the center line 244 246 of the slider 132.
The first side portion 174 merges into the first leg
234 through the first flexible shoulder 230, thus forming
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a U shaped configuration. The second side portion 176
merges into the second leg 236 through the second flexible
shoulder 232 also creating a U shaped configuration. The
first leg 234 of the slider has an inner surface 204, an
outer surface 206, and an end surface 260. Accordingly,
the second leg 236 has an inner surface 214, an outer
surface 216, and an end surface 262. The legs 234, 236
angle inwardly toward the center line 244 and terminate at
the end surfaces 260, 262, thereby forming the slot 180.
As seen in Figs. 6 and 8, the slot 180 extends from the
first end 184 to the second end 186 of the slider 132 and
has substantially the same width from the first end 184 to
the second end 186 of the slider 132.
Another embodiment of the slider is shown in Fig. 6A.
In this embodiment, the center portion of the first leg is
removed to create leg 234A and leg 234B at the ends of the
slider 132A. Similarly, the center portion of the second
leg is removed to create leg 236A and 236B. Thus, slots
180A, 180B are used to hold the fastening strips. In
addition, the separator 172A is longer and wider than the
separator 172 in Fig. 6. Also, the separator 172A is
located in approximately the center of the slider 132A and
between the legs 234A, 234B and the legs 236A, 236B. The
separator 172A also includes a ridge 173A which has the
same height along the length of the separator 172A. The
slider 132A has occlusion members 239A, 247A with inner
surfaces 240A, 248A. The inner surfaces 240A, 248A engage
the sides of the fastening strips and cause the fastening
strips to occlude.
In a relaxed state, the legs 234, 236 of the slider
132 are substantially parallel to the respective lower
inner surfaces 198, 208 of the side portions 174, 176.
Consequently, a void volume is formed between each of the
lower inner surfaces 198, 208 of the side portions 174,
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176 and the respective inner surfaces 204, 214 of the legs
234, 236 thus creating an area through which the legs 234,
236 may move outwardly away from the center line 244
during attachment of the slider 132 onto a closure device
121.
In accordance with a principal aspect of the present
invention, a slider 132 is provided with flexible
shoulders 230, 232 which provide a means of attaching the
slider 132 to the fastening strips in the vertical Z axis
106 while preventing the slider 132 from being removed in
the vertical Z axis 106 thereafter. It will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that the slider
132 may be molded from any suitable plastic material.
Figs. 9-13 sequentially illustrate the attachment of
a slider 132 made in accordance with the present invention
onto first and second fastening strips 130, 131 in the
vertical Z axis 106. Fig. 9 depicts occluded fastening
strips 130, 131 and a slider 132 having first and second
legs 234, 236 in a relaxed position. The closure device
121 is between the first and second legs 234, 236
immediately below the slot 180. Referring to FIG. 10, the
slider 132 is moved in the vertical Z axis 106 toward the
fastening strips 130, 131. The fastening strips 130, 131
engage the outer surfaces 206, 216 of the legs 234, 236
and move or deflect the legs 234, 236 outwardly.
Consequently, the first and second legs 234, 236 flex
outwardly in the transverse Y axis 104 toward their
respective side portions 174, 176, and the slot 180 is
widened. Fig. 11 illustrates the fastening strips 130,
131 moving through the slot 180. The base portions 148,
138 of the first and second fastening strips 130, 131 are
interposed between the legs 234, 236 and further move or
deflect the legs 234, 236 outwardly in the transverse Y
axis 104 toward their respective side portions 174, 176.
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As the closure device 121 continues through the slot
180 as shown in Fig. 12, the fastening strips 130, 131 are
brought into contact with the separator finger 172. More
particularly, the web 140 of the second fastening strip
131 is forced against the separator finger 172 while the
base portions 148, 138 of the first and second fastening
strips 130, 131 remain interposed between the legs 234,
236.
As seen in Fig. 13, upon further movement of the
fastening strips 130, 131 toward the slider 132 in the
vertical Z axis 106, the fastening strips 130, 131 project
through the legs 234, 236, and the legs 234, 236 retract
back to their relaxed position. In the relaxed position,
the legs 234, 236 are substantially parallel to the
corresponding inner surfaces 198, 208 of the side portions
174, 176. Likewise, the width of the slot 180 returns to
its relaxed position width. With respect to the fastening
strips 130, 131, the separator finger 172 is forced
between, or deoccludes, the outer webs 140, 150 of the
fastening strips 130, 131. The inner webs 141, 151 may
remain occluded.
Fig. 13 represents the attached position of the
slider 132 on fastening strips 130, 131 at the opening
end. Once the legs 234, 236 return to their relaxed
position, the fastening strips 130, 131 no longer fit
through the slot 180. As an aspect of the present
invention, the legs 234, 236 effectuate attachment of the
slider 132 onto the fastening strips 130, 131 in the
vertical Z axis 106 while preventing removal of the slider
132 from the fastening strips 130, 131 in the vertical Z
axis 106 after the slider 132 has been attached to the
fastening strips 130, 131. In the event removal of the
slider 132 in the vertical Z axis 106 is attempted, the
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legs 234, 236 will provide resistance against the slider's
132 removal. The legs 234, 236 retain the slider 132 on
the fastening strips 130, 131 by resisting vertical Z axis
106 movement of the fastening strips 130, 131 through the
slot 180. More specifically, the legs 234, 236 are angled
upwardly and inwardly so that during insertion of the
slider 132 onto the fastening strips 130, 131 the legs
move or deflect outwardly in the transverse Y axis 104 to
increase the width of the slot 180 and permit the passage
of the fastening strips 130, 131. Conversely, in
attempting to remove the slider 132 from the fastening
strips 130, 131, the fastening strips 130, 131 contact the
end portions 260, 262 of the legs 234, 236 and move or
deflect the legs 234, 236 inwardly in the transverse Y
axis 104. Thus, the width of the slot 180 is reduced
until the legs 234, 236 are ultimately forced against one
another through the sidewalls 122, 123. The rigidity of
the legs 234, 236 and shoulders 230, 232 will resist
inward movement of the legs 234, 236 beyond the point
where the legs engage each other through the sidewalls
122, 123. As a result, the slider 132 may only be removed
from the fastening strips 130, 131 in the vertical Z axis
106 by either tearing through the fastening strips 130,
131 or breaking and/or by deforming the legs 234, 236 of
the slider 132.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that the preset invention may be embodied in a variety of
configurations. The resistance the flexible shoulders
230, 232 and legs 234, 236 provide during attachment onto
and removal from the fastening strips 130, 131 may be
affected by varying the properties of the slider design as
shown in Fig. 14. Such properties include: shoulder
thickness 280; shoulder radius 282; leg angle 284; leg
length 286; leg thickness 288; the material composition
290 of the shoulder and leg; and the angle 292 of the end
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portions 260, 262. For example, if the shoulder thickness
280 is reduced, then the legs 234, 236 will move or
deflect with less force. As another example, if the leg
length 286 is reduced, then the legs 234, 236 will move of
5 deflect with more force. In addition, the angle 292 of
the end portions 260, 262 may have different values. As
shown in Fig. 14, the angle 292 between end portion 260
and inner surface 214 is approximately 45 . In another
example, the angle 292 may be 90 . Furthermore, the angle
10 292 of surfaces 260, 262 may be the same angle or the
angle of surface 260 may be at a different angle than the
angle of surface 262.
Fig. 15 illustrates a second embodiment of a slider
15 332 made in accordance with the present invention. As
compared with the first embodiment illustrated in Fig. 14,
the second embodiment has a first and second side portion
374, 376 with substantially parallel outside surfaces 442,
450. As noted above, the dimensions of the shoulders 430,
432 and legs 434, 436 affect the functionality of the
slider 332 during attachment onto and attempted removal
from the fastening strips. With respect to the shoulders
430, 432, the shoulder thickness 480 of the second
embodiment is less than the shoulder thickness 280 in the
first embodiment. In addition, the inner radius 482 of
the flexible shoulders 430, 432 is greater than that of
the radius 282 of the first embodiment. Consequently, the
shoulders of second embodiment will flex more easily than
the shoulders of the first embodiment during attachment of
the slider 332 onto the fastening strips. Furthermore,
the end portions 460, 462 of the legs 434, 436 extend
vertically and define the slot 380. Thus, as compared to
the first embodiment the end portions 460, 462 provide a
larger contact surface area that flexibly resists the
passage of the fastening strips through the legs 434, 436
during attachment of the slider 332 onto the fastening
CA 02373791 2007-02-28
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strips in the vertical Z axis 306 and during the attempted
removal of the slider 332 from the fastening strips in the
vertical Z axis 306.
Fig. 16 illustrates a third embodiment of a slider
532 made in accordance with the present invention. As
with the second embodiment, the third embodiment also has
first and second side portions 574, 576 with substantially
parallel outside surfaces 642, 650. However, the lower
outer surfaces 670, 672 of the side portions 574, 576
taper inwardly before merging into the flexible shoulders
630, 632. The lower inner surfaces 598, 608 of the side
portions 574, 576 are substantially vertical and parallel.
The shoulder thickness 680 of the third embodiment is
similar to that of the second embodiment. However, the
shoulder radius is much smaller than both the first
and second embodiments. The legs 634, 636 angle inwardly
and, before touching one another, extend vertically
thereby defining the slot 580. As compared to the first
embodiment the vertical portion of the legs 634, 636
provide a larger contact surface area that flexibly
resists the passage of the fastening strips through the
legs 634, 636 during attachment of the slider 532 onto the
fastening strips in the vertical Z axis 506 and the
attempted removal of the slider 332 from the fastening
strips in the vertical Z axis 506.
Fig. 17 depicts a fourth embodiment of a slider 732
made in accordance with the present invention. The fourth
embodiment is similar to the first embodiment illustrated
in Fig. 14 except that the fourth embodiment has first and
second side portions 774, 776 with substantially parallel
outside surfaces 842, 850 and end portions 860, 862 of the
legs 834, 836 extending vertically and defining the slot
780. Further, although the legs 774, 776 project
inwardly, the angle of projection 884 is reduced.
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Reducing the angle of projection 884 of the legs 834, 836
may reduce the length 886 of the legs 834, 836 as well.
The reduced length 886 of the legs 834, 836 will result in
greater leg rigidity. Furthermore, as compared to the
first embodiment, the end portions 860, 862 of the fourth
embodiment provide a larger contact surface area that
flexibly resists the passage of the fastening strips
through the legs 834, 836 during attachment of the slider
732 onto the fastening strips in the vertical Z axis 706
and the attempted removal of the slider 732 from the
fastening strips in the vertical Z axis 706.
Fig. 18 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a slider
932 made in accordance with the present invention. The
fifth embodiment has the same configuration as the first
embodiment shown in Fig. 14. The fifth embodiment,
however, represents a slider 932 co-extruded from two
separate materials, a first material 1090 and a second
material 1091. The shoulders 1030, 1032 and legs 1034,
1036 of the slider 932 are molded of the second material
1091. The side 974, 976 and top 970 portions of the
slider 932 are molded of the first material 1090. The two
materials 1090, 1091 utilized have different flexing
characteristics. For example, the shoulders 1030, 1032
and legs 1034, 1036 may be molded of the second material
1091 which is more rigid than the first material 1090
which is used for the side portions 974, 976 and top
portions 970. Alternatively, the shoulders 1030, 1032 and
legs 1034, 1036 may be molded of a second material 1091
which is less rigid than the first material 1090 which is
used for the side portions 974, 976 and top portion 970.
The variation of the material composition of the shoulders
1030, 1032 and legs 1034, 1036 may vary the flexible
resistance provided by the shoulders 1030, 1032 and legs
1034, 1036 during attachment of the slider 932 onto the
fastening strips in the vertical Z axis 906 and the
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attempted removal of the slider 932 from the fastening
strips in the vertical Z axis 906. The co-extrusion of
the slider 932 with separate materials 1090, 1091 may
reduce manufacturing costs if, for instance, the material
used to achieve the desired flexibility of the shoulders
1030, 1032 and legs 1034, 1036 is more costly than that
used for the side portions 974, 976 and top portion 970.
Consequently, the more expensive material may then be
limited to the shoulders 1030, 1032 and legs 1034, 1036
while the less expensive material may be used for the
remainder of the slider housing 960. In other
embodiments, the side portions could be made of a first
material, the shoulders made of a second material, and the
legs made of the first material or a third material.
Fig. 19 depicts a sixth embodiment of a slider 1132
made in accordance with the present invention. The sixth
embodiment is similar to the first embodiment illustrated
in Fig. 14 except the leg width 1288 is reduced. The
decreased legwidth 1288 will increase the flexibility of
the legs and reduce the resistance provided by the legs
1234, 1236 during attachment of the slider 1132 onto and
the attempted removal of the slider 1132 from the
fastening strips in the vertical Z axis 1106.
Fig 20 illustrates a seventh embodiment of a slider
1332 made in accordance with the present invention. The
slider 1332 is shown attached to the fastening strips
1430, 1431. The seventh embodiment is similar to the
first embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 except that the
second leg 1436 of the slider 1332 is longer than the
first leg 1434. The longer second leg 1436 extends up to
the second fastening strip 1431 and more particularly
engages the inner web 1441 of the second fastening strip
1431. In addition, the first leg 1434 engages the wing
1437 of the first fastening strip 1430. Thus, the
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fastening strips 1430, 1431 are held within the slider
1332.
Fig. 21 illustrates an eighth embodiment of a slider
1532 made in accordance with the present invention. The
slider 1532 is similar to the first embodiment illustrated
in Fig. 14 except that angle of projection 1684 of the
legs 1634, 1636 is reduced. Further, reducing the angle
of projection 1684 of the legs 1634, 1636 reduces the
length 1686 of the legs 1634, 1636 as well. The slider
1532 is designed to work in conjunction with sidewalls
1522 having protrusions 1528 such that the legs 1634, 1636
engage the protrusions 1528 rather than the actual
fastening strips 1530, 1531. The protrusions 1528 serve
to hold the fastening strips 1530, 1531 within the slider
1532. Further, the reduced length 1686 of the legs 1634,
1636 will result in greater leg rigidity. In another
embodiment as shown in Fig. 21A, the protrusions 1528A are
located on the fastening strips and the legs engage the
protrusions to hold the fastening strips within the slider
1532A.
Fig. 22 illustrates a ninth embodiment of a slider
1732 made in accordance with the present invention. The
ninth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except
that second side portion 1776 terminates at the lower end
of the upper inner surface 1848. The second shoulder 1832
is relatively rigid and extends inwardly in a horizontal
direction from the second side portion 1776. The first
leg 1834 and the second shoulder define a slot 1780.
While the second shoulder 1832 aids in maintaining proper
orientation of a closure device within the slider 1732,
only the first shoulder 1830 and first leg 1834 provide
flexibility during attachment of the slider 1732 onto the
fastening strips in the vertical Z axis 1706 and
resistance during attempted removal of the slider 1732
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from the fastening strips in the vertical Z axis 1706. In
another embodiment, the second shoulder 1832 is eliminated
and the first leg 1834 is lengthened to extend closer to
the second side portion 1776 to define a slot 1780. In
5 addition, the second side portion 1776 may be lengthened.
The slider of the present invention may incorporate
several configurations. However, the slider should
facilitate attachment of the slider onto the fastening
10 strips in the vertical Z axis and prevent the removal of
the slider from the fastening strips in the vertical Z
axis. Furthermore, the slider facilitates proper
orientation of the fastening strips within the slider
during operation. Proper orientation of the fastening
15 strips within the slider is usually accomplished by
providing legs which support the respective fastening
strips. The design of the slider is further dictated by
the configuration of fastening strips utilized.
20 Figs. 23-25 illustrate interlocking fastening strips
of various configurations and the corresponding slider
design. As shown in Fig. 23, the interlocking fastening
strips may comprise shear action or Z-axis closure strips.
Shear action closure strips include a first fastening
strip 1930 and a complementary second fastening strip 1931
which engage upon moving the slider 1932 in the occlusion
direction.
In addition, the interlocking fastening strips may
alternatively comprise arrowhead-type closure strips, as
shown in FIG. 24. As described more fully in U.S. Patents
5,007,142 and 5,020,194, arrowhead-type closure strips
typically include a first fastening strip 2130 with an
arrowhead-shaped engagement portion 2136, and an
associated second fastening strip 2131 with a cup-shaped
engagement portion 2137. In use, the first fastening
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strip 2130 and the second fastening strip 2131 are
selectively occluded and deoccluded by moving the slider
2132 in the appropriate direction.
The interlocking fastening strips may optionally
comprise rolling action closure strips, as shown, for
example, in FIG. 25. As described in greater detail in
U.S. Patent No. 5,007,143, rolling action closure strips
include first and second elements 2330 and 2331. The
first and second elements 2330, 2331 may be deoccluded by
using a separator 2333. In use, the elements 2330 and
2331 are selectively occluded and deoccluded by moving the
slider 2332 in the appropriate direction.
Although several interlocking fastening strip
embodiments have been specifically described and
illustrated herein, it will be readily appreciated by
those skilled in the art that other kinds, types, or forms
of fastening strips may alternatively be used without
departing from the scope or spirit of the present
invention.
The interlocking fastening strips of the present
invention may be manufactured by extrusion through a die,
although the die should be made somewhat larger than the
desired final dimensions of the fastening strips, inasmuch
as shrinkage of the extruded fastening strips is likely
upon cooling. In addition, the fastening strips should be
manufactured to have approximately uniform cross-sections.
This not only simplifies the manufacturing of a closure
device, but also contributes to the physical flexibility
of the closure device.
Generally, the interlocking fastening strips of the
present invention may be formed from any suitable
thermoplastic material including, for example,
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polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, or the like, or from a
combination thereof. Thus, resins or mixtures of resins
such as high density polyethylene, medium density
polyethylene, and low density polyethylene may be employed
to prepare the interlocking fastening strips of the
present invention. In most instances, the fastening
strips are preferably made from low density polyethylene.
The selection of the appropriate thermoplastic material,
however, is related to the particular design of the
fastening strips, the Young's Modulus of the thermoplastic
material, and the desired elasticity and flexibility of
the strips.
When the fastening strips of the present invention
are used in a sealable bag, the fastening strips and the
films that form the body of the bag may be conveniently
manufactured from heat sealable material. In this way,
the bag may be economically formed by using an
aforementioned thermoplastic material and by heat sealing
the fastening strips to the bag. In most instances, the
bag is preferably made from a mixture of high pressure,
low density polyethylene and linear, low density
polyethylene.
The fastening strips of the present invention may be
manufactured by extrusion or other known methods. For
example, the closure device may be manufactured as
individual fastening strips for later attachment to the
bag or may be manufactured integrally with the bag. In
addition, the fastening strips may be manufactured with or
without flange portions on one or both of the fastening
strips depending upon the intended use of the closure
device or expected additional manufacturing operations.
Generally, the closure device of the present
invention can be manufactured in a variety of forms to
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suit the intended use. In practicing the present
invention, the closure device may be integrally formed on
the opposing side walls of the container or bag, or
connected to the container by the use of any of many known
methods. For example, a thermoelectric device may be
applied to a film in contact with the flange portion of
the fastening strips or the thermoelectric device may be
applied to a film in contact with the base portion of
fastening strips having no flange portion, to cause a
transfer of heat through the film to produce melting at
the interface of the film and a flange portion or base
portion of the fastening strips. Suitable thermoelectric
devices include heated rotary discs, traveling heater
bands, resistance-heated slide wires, and the like. The
connection between the film and the fastening strips may
also be established by the use of hot melt adhesives, hot
jets of air to the interface, ultrasonic heating, or other
known methods. The bonding of the fastening strips to the
film stock may be carried out either before or after the
film is U-'folded to form the bag. In any event, such
bonding is done prior to side sealing the bag at the edges
by conventional thermal cutting. In addition, the first
and second fastening strips may be positioned on opposite
sides of the film. Such an embodiment would be suited for
wrapping an object or a collection of objects such as
wires. The first and second fastening strips should
usually be positioned on the film in a generally parallel
relationship with respect to each other, although this
will depend on the intended use.
The slider may be multiple parts and snapped
together. In addition, the slider may be made from
multiple parts and fused or welded together. The slider
may also be a one piece construction. The slider can be
colored, opaque or clear. The slider may be injection
molded or made by any other method. The slider may be
CA 02373791 2007-02-28
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molded from any suitable plastic material, such as, nylon,
polypropylene, polystyrene, acetal, toughened acetal,
polyketone, polybutylene terrephthalate, high density
polyethylene, polycarbonate or ABS (acrylonitrile-
butadiene-styrene).
In summary, the present invention provides a closure
device that overcomes many of the drawbacks inherent in
the prior art. More specifically, the present invention
affords a closure device with interlocking fastening
strips, a slider which facilitates the occlusion and
deocclusion of the fastening strips, and a flexibly
resistant attaching means which facilitates attachment of
the slider onto the fastening strips in the vertical Z
axis and prevents the removal of the slider from the
fastening strips in the vertical Z axis thereafter.
From the foregoing it will be understood that
modifications and variations may be effectuated to the
disclosed structures, particularly in light of the
foregoing teachings, without departing from the scope or
spirit of the present invention. As such, no limitation
with respect to the specific embodiments described and
illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.
Indeed, the following claims are intended to cover all
modifications and variations that fall within the scope
and spirit of the present invention.
