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 having a shape
which causes the user to grip the .slider in a predetermined
manner. The invention is particularly well suited for
flexible storage containers, including plastic bags.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of closure devices for fastening storage
containers, including plastic bags, is generally 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.
'2 0
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 sidewalls of the container are
integrally formed by extrusion as a single piece.
Alternatively, the closure device and sidewalls 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.
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Conventional closure devices typically utilize mating
fastening strips or closure elements, which are used to
selectively seal the bag. A slider may be provided for use
in opening and closing the fastening strips. Some of these
sliders may include a separator which extends at least
partially between the fastening strips. When the slider is
moved in the appropriate direction, the separator divides the
fastening strips and opens the bag.
One of the,difficulties involved with using a slider is
the manner in which the user grips the slider. Generally,
the slider is gripped in the center. This situation requires
that the slider be pulled which requires more force.than if
the slider were pushed. Additionally, if the slider is
gripped towards the bottom, the shoulders of the slider may
tear into the sidewalls of the plastic container or the
fastening strips.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a closure device with a
slider having a specific shape that results in the slider
being gripped in a certain fashion. The closure device
comprises first and second interlocking fastening strips
arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined length. The
slider is slidably disposed on the interlocking fastening
strips for facilitating the occlusion and deocclusion of the
fastening strips when moved towards first and second ends of
the fastening strips. The external surface of the slider is
designed to alter the way in which the slider will be grasped
by the user. By providing outwardly protruding portions on
the side portions of the slider, the slider will be grasped
near the front or back of the slider. Thus, the slider will
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be easier to move along the fastening strips because the gripping
forces by the user will be reduced. In another embodiment, by
providing a gripping surface near the top portion of the slider,
the slider will be grasped near the top portion of the slider.
Thus, the slider will be easier to move and the slider reduces
the tearing that may result when too much pressure is applied to
the bottom portion of the slider during movement of the slider.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a
closure device, comprising: first and second interlocking
fastening strips arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined
X axis between first and second ends; and a slider slidably
disposed on the fastening strips for movement between the first
and second ends, the slider facilitating occlusion of the
fastening strips when moved towards the first end, the slider
facilitating the deocclusion of the fastening strips when the
slider is moved towards the second end, wherein the slider
includes a first side portion, a second side portion and a top
portion, a first protruding portion disposed along the first side
portion of the slider, the slider has a front portion and a rear
portion, the first protruding portion causes the user to grip the
slider at the front portion or at the rear portion.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a
closure device, comprising: first and second interlocking
fastening strips arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined
X axis between first and second ends; and a slider slidably
disposed on the fastening strips for movement between the first
and second ends, the slider facilitating occlusion of the
fastening strips when moved towards the first end, the slider
facilitating the deocclusion of the fastening strips when the
slider is moved towards the second end, wherein the slider
includes a first side portion, a second side portion and a top
portion, the slider has an upper portion, a first gripping
surface is located on the first side portion of the slider the
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first gripping surface causes the user to only grip the slider at
the upper portion.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a
container comprising: first and second sidewalls joined at seams
to form a compartment with an opening; first and second
interlocking fastening strips respectively connected to the first
and second sidewalls at the opening, the fastening strips
arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined X axis between
first and second ends; and a slider slidably disposed on the
fastening strips for movement between the first and second ends,
the slider facilitating occlusion of the fastening strips when
moved towards the first end, the slider facilitating the
deocclusion of the fastening strips when the slider is moved
towards the second end, wherein the slider includes a first side
portion, a second side portion and a top portion, a first
protruding portion disposed along the first side portion of the
slider, the slider has a front portion and a rear portion, the
first protruding portion causes the user to grip the slider at
the front portion or at the rear portion.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a
container comprising: first and second sidewalls joined at seams
to form a compartment with an opening; first and second
interlocking fastening strips respectively connected to the first
and second sidewalls at the opening, the fastening strips
arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined X axis between
first and second ends; and a slider slidably disposed on the
fastening strips for movement between the first and second ends,
the slider facilitating occlusion of the fastening strips when
moved towards the first end, the slider facilitating the
deocclusion of the fastening strips when the slider is moved
towards the second end, wherein the slider includes a first side
portion, a second side portion and a top portion, the slider has
an upper portion, a first gripping surface is located on the
first side portion of the slider, the first gripping surface
causes the user to only grip the slider at the upper portion.
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In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a
method of manufacturing a closure device, comprising: providing
first and second interlocking fastening strips arranged to be
interlocked over a predetermined X axis between first and second
ends; and providing a slider slidably disposed on the fastening
strips for movement between the first and second ends, the slider
facilitating occlusion of the fastening strips when moved towards
the first end, the slider facilitating the deocclusion of the
fastening strips when the slider is moved towards the second end,
wherein the slider is comprised of a first side portion, a second
side portion and a top portion, a first protruding portion
disposed along the first side portion of the slider, the slider
has a front portion and a rear portion, the first protruding
portion causes the user to grip the slider at the front portion
or at the rear portion.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a
method of manufacturing a closure device, comprising: providing
first and second interlocking fastening strips arranged to be
interlocked over a predetermined X axis between first and second
ends; and providing a slider slidably disposed on the fastening
strips for movement between the first and second ends, the slider
facilitating occlusion of the fastening strips when moved towards
the first end, the slider facilitating the deocclusion of the
fastening strips when the slider is moved towards the second end,
wherein the slider includes a first side portion, a second side
portion and a top portion, the slider has an upper portion, a
first gripping surface is located on the first side portion of
the slider, the first gripping surface causes the user to only
grip the slider at the upper portion.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a
closure device, comprising: first and second interlocking
fastening strips arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined
longitudinal X axis between first and second ends, the fastening
strips having a transverse Y axis, the transverse Y axis being
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perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis, the fastening strips
having a vertical Z axis, the vertical 2 axis being perpendicular
to the longitudinal X axis, the vertical Z axis being
perpendicular to the transverse Y axis; and a slider slidably
disposed on the fastening strips for movement between the first
and second ends, the slider facilitating occlusion of the
fastening strips when moved towards the first end, the slider
facilitating the deocclusion of the fastening strips when the
slider is moved towards the second end, wherein the slider
includes a first side portion, a second side portion and a top
portion, the slider has an upper portion and a lower portion, the
upper portion being adjacent the top portion, a first gripping
surface is located on the first side portion at the upper portion
of the slider, the slider includes a first shoulder located on
the first side portion at the lower portion of the slider, the
first gripping surface and the first shoulder being offset from
each other relative to the Z axis.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a
container comprising: first and second sidewalls joined at seams
to form a compartment with an opening; first and second
interlocking fastening strips respectively connected to the first
and second sidewalls at the opening, the fastening strips
arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined longitudinal X
axis between first and second ends, the fastening strips having a
transverse Y axis, the transverse Y axis being perpendicular to
the longitudinal X axis, the fastening strips having a vertical Z
axis, the vertical Z axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal
X axis, the vertical Z axis being perpendicular to the transverse
Y axis; and a slider slidably disposed on the fastening strips
for movement between the first and second ends, the slider
facilitating occlusion of the fastening strips when moved towards
the first end, the slider facilitating the deocclusion of the
fastening strips when the slider is moved towards the second end,
wherein the slider includes a first side portion, a second side
portion and a top portion, a first gripping surface is located on
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the first side portion of the slider, a first shoulder is located
on the first side portion of the slider, the first gripping
surface and the first shoulder being offset from each other
relative to the Z axis.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a
closure device, comprising: first and second interlocking
fastening strips arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined
X axis between first and second ends; and a slider slidably
disposed on the fastening strips for movement between the first
and second ends, the slider facilitating occlusion of the
fastening strips when moved towards the first end, the slider
facilitating the deocclusion of the fastening strips when the
slider is moved towards the second end, wherein the slider
includes a first side portion, a second side portion and a top
portion, a first protruding portion disposed along the first side
portion of the slider, the slider has a front portion and a rear
portion, the first protruding portion causes the user to grip the
slider at the front portion or at the rear portion, the first
protruding portion includes two outwardly protruding linear
surfaces disposed to join at the center of the first side
portion.
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 perspective view of a. slider;
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Fig. 3 is a top view of a prior art slider being
gripped by the thumb and index finger of the user;
Fig. 4 is a top view of the slider in Fig. 2 being
gripped by the thumb and index finger of the user;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
slider;
l0
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
slider;
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Fig. 7 is.a perspective view of another embodiment of a
slider;
Fig. 8 is a front view of the slider in Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a side view of the slider~in Fig. 7;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of
a slider;
Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of
fastening strips and a slider;
Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment
of fastening strips and a slider; '
Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment
of fastening strips and a slider;
Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment
of fastening strips and a slider.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of. a container in the
form of a plastic bag 120 having a sealable closure device
121. The bag 120 includes a first sidewall 122 and a second
sidewall 123 joined at seams 125, 126 to define a compartment
accessible through the open top end but sealable by means of
the closure device 121. The closure device 121 includes
first and second fastening strips 130, 131 and a slider 132.
The fastening strips x.30, 131 and the slider 132 have a
longitudinal X axis 102, a transverse Y axis 104 and a
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vertical Z axis 106. The transverse Y axis 104 is
perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis 102. The vertical
Z axis 106 is perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis 102
and the vertical Z axis ,106 is perpendicular to the
5 transverse Y axis 104.
The slider 132' is mounted onto the fastening strips
130, 131 so that the slider 132 is restrained from being
removed from the fastening strips 130, 131 but free to slide
along the X axis 102. The slider 132 engages the fastening
strips 130, 131 so that when the slider 132 moves in an
occlusion direction 114, the fastening strips 130, 131
interlock and the bag 120 is sealed, and when the slider 132
moves in a deocclusion direction 116, the fastening strips
130, 131 separate and the bag 120 is open.
Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a slider that
may be used with the closure device depicted in Fig. 1. The
slider 132 includes a top portion 140. The top portion 140
of the slider merges into a first side portion 142 and a
second side portion 144. The first side portion 142 has a
first protruding portion 150. Similarly, the second side
portion 144 has a second protruding portion 152. The first
protruding portion 150 and the second protruding portion 152
extend laterally along the outer surfaces of the side
portions 142, 144 and include outwardly protruding radial
surfaces 160, 162. The slider is wider at the center due to ,
the protruding portions 150, 152 than at the front and rear
portions of 170, 172. The user has a tendency to grip the
narrowest location on the slider. Therefore, due to the
protruding portions 150, 152 the user will grip the slider
near the front and rear portions 170, 172 as opposed to the
center of the slider.
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In the prior art, the -slider is designed so that the
user grips tie slider 232 at the center 236 with the index
finger .246 and the thumb 248 when the user wishes to move
the slider as shown in Fig. 3. The user must exert both a
pulling force and gripping forces. The user exerts gripping
forces 251, 253 on the slider 232 at pressure areas 254,
256. In addition, the user exerts a pulling force 261 in
order to move the slider 232 in the desired direction 214.
The user experiences a feeling that the slider is difficult
to move because the user must exert both the pulling force
and the gripping forces in order to move the slider.
In the present invention, the slider 132 is designed so
that minimum pressure or gripping forces are needed by the
index finger and the thumb to grip the slider in order to
move the slider along the fastening strips. Referring to
Fig. 4, the index finger 146 and thumb 148 of the user
engage the slider 132 at the rear portion 172 due to the
protruding portions 150; 152 as noted above. When the user
engages the rear portion 172, the gripping forces 151, 153
needed by the index finger 146 and the thumb 148 to move the
slider are very small. These gripping forces are very small
in comparison to the gripping forces required when engaging
the center of the slider. In addition, the user will exert
a pushing force 161 in order to move the slider 132 in the
desired direction 114. The user experiences a feeling that
the slider is easier to move because the user exerts less
gripping forces.
Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another
embodiment of a slider 332. The slider 332 includes first
and second protruding portions 350, 352 with outwardly
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protruding radial surfaces 360, 362 respectively. The
radial surfaces 360, 362 extend laterally along the length
of the side portions 342, 344. The protruding portions
result in the slider being gripped near the front and rear
portions 370, 372 of the slider 332. Thus, the user
experiences a feeling that the slider is easier to move
because the user exerts less gripping forces as noted above.
Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another
embodiment of a slider 432. The slider includes first and
second side portions 442, 444. The first side portion 442
includes a protruding portion 450, which includes two
outwardly protruding linear surfaces 464, 465. The linear
surfaces 464, 465 are joined at a point halfway along the
side portion 442. Similarly, the second side portion 444
includes a protruding portion 452 which includes two
outwardly protruding linear surfaces 466, 467. The linear
surfaces 466, 467 are joined at a point midway along the
side portion 444. The protruding portions result in the
slider being gripped near the front and rear portions 470,
472 of the slider. Thus, the user experiences a feeling
that the slider is easier to move because the user exerts
less gripping forces as noted above. .
Figs. 7-9 illustrate another'embodiment of a slider
532. The slider 532 will reduce the possibility that the
shoulders of the slider will damage the fastening strips or
the sidewalls of the container. The slider includes a top
portion 540 and first and second side portions, 542, 544
attached to the top portion 540. The first side portion 542
has a first gripping surface 550 at the upper portion 551 of
the slider 532. Similarly, the second side portion 544 has
a second gripping surface 552 at the upper portion 551 of
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the slider 532. The first gripping surface 550 and the
second gripping surface 552 may extend laterally along the
outer surfaces of the side portions 542, 544. Tn addition,
the gripping surfaces 550, 552 may include inwardly
protruding radial surfaces 560, 562 designed to correspond
to the contours of a person's fingertips. The user will
have a tendency to grip the .gripping surfaces 550, 552
because the gripping surfaces correspond to the thumb and
index finger of the user. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9,
the user will use the thumb and index finger to apply
gripping forces 570, 572 to the gripping surfaces 550, 552.
The gripping surfaces 550, 552 are located in the upper
portion 551 of slider and near the top surface 540 of the
slider. Thus, the gripping forces 570, 572 will be applied
to the upper portion of the slider 532 and near the top
portion 540.
When the gripping forces 570, 572 are applied near the
top portion 540, the amount of deflection in the side
portions 542, 544 is less than if the same gripping forces
were applied in the lower portion of the slider at
locations 574, 576. If the gripping forces are applied at
the lower portion of the slider, the gap 580 between the
side portions 542, 544 reduces in size. If the size of the
gap is reduced, then the fastening strips or sidewalls
located in the gap 580 may be damaged or torn by the side
portions 542,'544 or-the shoulders 586, 588 during movement
of the slider 532. Damage to the fastening strips or the
sidewalls would be undesirable. Furthermore, if the size of
the gap 580 is reduced, the side portions 542, 544 or the
shoulders 586, 588 will apply more force to the fastening
strips or sidewalls which will create more friction and make
movement of the slider along the fastening strips more
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difficult. Therefore, by locating the gripping surfaces
550, 552 at the upper portion of the slider, the slider will
cause less damage to the container and the slider is easier
to. move along the fastening strips.
Fig. 10 illustrates a perspective view of another
embodiment of a slider 632. The slider includes a top
portion 640, a first side portion 642 and a second side
portion 644. The first side portion 642 includes two
outwardly protruding bumps 656, 657 disposed at the upper
portion 651 of the slider 632.. Similarly, the second side
portion 644 includes two outwardly protruding bumps 658, 659
disposed at the upper portion 651 of the slider 632. The
bumps 656, 657, 658, 659 facilitate the gripping of the
slider 632 at the upper portion of the slider 632. The
bumps assist in creating a gripping surface which
corresponds to the thumb and index finger of the user. As
noted above, by locating the gripping surfaces at the upper
portion of the slider, the slider will cause less damage to
the container and the slider is easier to move along the
fastening strips. .
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, translucent
or transparent. The slider may be injection molded or made
by any other method. The slider may be 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).
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As shown in Fig. 11, the fastening strips may be U-
channel fastening strips as described in U.S. Patent
4,829,641. U-channel fastening strips include a first
fastening strip 730 with a first closure element 736 and a
5 second fastening strip 731 with a second closure element 734.
The first closure element 736 engages the second closure
element 734. The first fastening strip 730 may include a
flange 763 disposed at the upper end of the first fastening
strip 730 and a rib 767 disposed at the ,lower end of the
10 first fastening strip 730,. The first fastening strip 730 may
include a flange portion 769. Likewise, the second, fastening
strip 731 may include a fhange 753 disposed at the upper end
of the second fastening strip 731 and a rib 757 disposed at
the lower end of the second fastening strip 731. The second
fastening strip 731 may include a flange portion 769. The
side walls 722, 723 of the plastic bag 720 may be attached to
the fastening strips 730, 731 by conventional manufacturing
techniques.
The second closure element 734 includes a base portion
738 having a pair .of spaced-apart parallely disposed webs
740; 741, extending from the base portion 738. The base and
the webs form a U-channel closure element. The webs 740,
include hook closure portions 742, 744 extending from the
webs 740, 741 respectively, and facing towards each other.
The hook closure portions 742, 744 include guide surfaces
746, 747 which serve to guide the hook closure portions 742,
744 for occluding with the hook closure portions 752, 754 of
the first closure element 736.
The first closure element 736 includes a base portion
748 including a pair of spaced-apart, parallely disposed.-webs
750, 751 extending from the base portion 748. The base and
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the webs form a U-channel closure element. The webs 750, 75l
include hook closure portions 752, 754 extending from the
webs 750, 751 respectively and facing away from each other.
The hook closure portions 752, 754 include guide surfaces
745, 755; which generally serve to guide the hook closure
portions 752, 754 for occlusion with the, hook closure
portions 742, 744 of the second closure element 734. The
guide surfaces 745, 755 may also have a rounded crown
surface.
The slider 732 includes a top portion 772. The top
portion provides a separator 743 having a first end and a
second end wherein the first end may be wider than the
second end. In addition, the separator, 743 may be
triangular in shape. When the slider is moved in the
occlusion direction, the separator 743 deoccludes the
fastening strips 730, 731 as shown in Fig. 11. Referring to
Fig. 11, the closure elements. 734, 736 are deoccluded and
specifically, the upper hook portions 742, 752 and the lower
hook portions 744, 754 are deoccluded.
The interlocking fastening strips may comprise
"arrowhead-type" or "rib and groove" fastening strips as
shown in Fig. 12 and as described in U.S. Patent 3,806,998.
The rib element 805 interlocks with the groove element 807.
The rib element. 805 is of generally arrow-shape in transverse
cross section including a head 810 comprising interlock
shoulder hook portions 811 and 812 generally convergently
related to provide a cam ridge 813 generally aligned with a
stem flange 814 by which the head is connected in spaced
relation with respect to. the supporting flange portion 808.
(U. S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 16-23). At their
surfaces nearest the connecting stem flange 814, the shoulder
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portions 811 and 812 define reentrant angles therewith
providing interlock hooks engageable with interlock hook
flanges 815 and 817 respectively of the groove element 807.
(U. S. Patent 3,806,998; Col. 2, lines 23-28). Said hook
flanges generally converge towardone another and are spread
open to receive the head~810 therebetween when said head is
pressed into said groove element 807 until the head is fully
received in a groove 818 of said groove element 807 generally
complementary to the head and within which the head is
interlocked by interengagement of the head shoulder hook
portions 811 and 812 and the groove hook flanges 815 and 817.
(U. S. Patent 3,806,,998, Col. 2, lines 28-36). Through this
arrangement, as indicated, the head and groove elements 8-05
and 807 are adapted to be interlockingly engaged by being
pressed together and to be separated when forcably pulled
apart, as~by means of a generally U-shaped slider 819. (U. S.
Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 36-41).
The slider 819 includes a flat back plate 820 adapted
to run along free edges 821 on the upper ends of the sections
of the flange portions 808 and 809 as shown in the drawing.
(U~S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 41-46).' Integrally
formed with the back plate 820 and extending in the same
direction (downwardly as shown) therefrom are respective
coextensive side walls 822 with an intermediate spreader
finger 823 extending in the same direction as the side walls
at one end of the slider. (U.S. Patent 3,$06,998, Col. 2,
lines 46-51). The side walls 822 are in the form of panels
which are laterally divergent from a narrower end of the
slider. (U.S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 51-55). The
slider walls 822 are each provided' with an inwardly
projecting shoulder structure 824 flange adapted to engage
respective shoulder ribs 825 and 827 on respectively outer
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sides of the lower section of the flange portions 808 and
809. (U. S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, line 66 to Co. 3, line
3) .
Additionally, the interlocking fastening strips may
comprise "profile" fastening strips, as shown in Fig. 13 and
described in U.S. Patent 5,664,299. As shown in FIG. 13, the
first profile 916 has at least an uppermost closure element
916a and a bottommost closure element 916.b. (U. S. Patent
5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 25-27). The closure elements 916a
and 916b project laterally from the inner surface of strip
914. (U. S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lii~.es 27-28).
Likewise, the second profile 917 has at least an uppermost
closure element 917a and a bottommost closure element 917b.
15. (U. S. Patent 5,664,2,99, Col. 3, lines 28-30). The closure
elements 917a and 917b project laterally from the inner
surface of strip 915. (U. S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines
30-32). When the bag is, closed, the closure elements of
profile 916 interlock with the corresponding closure elements
of profile f17. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299; Col. 3, lines 32
34). As shown in FIG. 19, closure elements 916a, 916.b, 917a
and ~ 917b have hooks on the ends of the closure elements, so
that the profiles remain interlocked when the bag is closed,
thereby forming a seal. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3,
lines 34-37) .
The straddling slider 910 comprises an inverted U-
shaped member having a top 920 for moving along the top edges
of the strips~914 and 915. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 4,
lines 1-3). The slider 910 has side walls 921 and 922
depending from.the top 920. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 4,
lines 3-4). A separating leg 923 depends from the top 920
between the side walls 921 and 922 and is located between the
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uppermost closure elements 916a and 917a of profiles 916 and
917. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 26-30). The
fastening assembly includes ridges 925 on the outer surfaces
of the fastening strips 914 and 915,.and shoulders 921b and
922b on the side walls of the slider. (U. S. Patent
5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 62-65). The shoulders act as means
for maintaining the slider in straddling relation with the
fastening strips by grasping the lower surfaces of the ridges
925. (U. S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 5, lines 4-7).'
Also, the interlocking fastening strips may be "rolling
action" fastening strips as shown in Fig. 14 and described in
U.S. Patent 5,007,143. The strips 1014 and 1015 include
profiled tracks 1018 and 1019 extending along the length
thereof parallel to the rib and groove elements 1016 and 1017
'and the rib and groove elements 1016, 1017 have complimentary
cross-sectional shapes such that they are closed by pressing
the bottom of the elements together first and then rolling
the elements to a closed position toward the top thereof.
(U.S. Patent 5,007,143, Col. 4, line 62 to Col. 5, line 1).
The rib element 1016 is hook shaped and projects from the
inner face of strip 1014 . (U.S. Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5,
lines 1-3). The groove element 1017 includes a lower hook-
shaped projection 1017a and a relatively straight projection '~
1017b which extend from the inner face of strip 1015. (U. S.
Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 3-6). The profiled tracks
1018 and 1019 are inclined inwardly toward each other from
their .respective strips 1014 and 1015. (U. S. Patent
5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 6-8).
The straddling slider 1010 comprises an inverted U-
shaped plastic member having a back 1020 for moving along the
top edges of the tracks 1018 and 1019 with side walls 1021
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and 1022 depending therefrom for cooperating with the tracks
and extending from an opening end of the slider to a closing
end. (U.S. Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 26-31). A
separator finger 1023 depends from the back 1020 between the
5 side walls 1021 and 1022 and is inserted between the inclined
tracks 1018 and 1019. (U. S. Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines
34-36). The slider 1010 has shoulders 1021a and 1b22a
projecting inwardly from the depending side walls 1021 and
1022 which are shaped throughout the length thereof for
10 cooperation with the depending separator finger 1023 in
creating the rolling ,action in. opening and closing the
reclosable interlocking rib and groove profile elements 1016
and 1017. (U. S. Patent 5,007,143, Col. S, lines 43-49).
15 The interlocking fastening strips may be manufactured
by extrusion through a die. The interlocking fastening
strips may be formed from any suitable thermoplastic material
including, for example, 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. For
example, the fastening strips may be made from low density
polyethylene.
When the fastening strips 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. For example, the
bag may be made from a mixture of high pressure, low density
polyethylene and linear, low density polyethylene.
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16
The fastening strips 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 fastening strips or expected additional manufacturing
operations.
The fastening strips can be manufactured in a variety
of forms to suit the intended use. The fastening strips may
be integrally formed on the opposing sidewalls 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
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17
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.
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.
