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, a closure device providing
visible 'confirmation of occlusion. The invention is
particularly well suited for use on 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.
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. With such closure devices,
however, it is often difficult to determine whether the
fastening strips axe fully occluded
The invention provides a closure device in combination
with visible confirmation of closure. In addition, the
invention provides that visible confirmation can be observed
from the top of the closure device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The closure device includes interlocking fastening
strips. The closure device may include 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 of the
fastening strips.
In addition, the fastening strips have a visual
indication of occlusion of the closure device. Thus a user
will be able to visually confirm that the closure device has
been properly occluded, not only while in the process of
occluding the closure device, but also after the closure
device has been occluded. The visible indication of
occlusion will be observed from the top of the closure
device. The closure elements have a first color and the
flanges have a second color. If the fastening strips are
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properly occluded the first color will not be visible by viewing the
top of the closure device.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a closure
device, comprising: first and second fastening strips, the fastening
strips having a longitudinal X axis, a transverse Y axis and a
vertical Z axis, the fastening strips are arranged to be occluded over
a predetermined length in the X axis, the fastening strips are
arranged to be deoccluded and form an opening between the fastening
strips when deoccluded, the opening is visible when viewed in the Z
axis, the first fastening strip includes a first portion with a first
color, the first color is visible when viewed in the Z axis when the
fastening strips are deoccluded, the first fastening strip or the
second fastening strip includes a second portion with a second
translucent color, the first color combines with the second color to
form a third color when viewed in the Z axis when the fastening strips
are occluded; and wherein the second fastening strip includes a third
portion with the first color.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a
container comprising: first and second sidewalls joined to form a
compartment with an opening; first and second fastening strips
respectively connected to the first and second sidewalls at the
opening; the fastening strips have a longitudinal X axis, a transverse
Y axis and a vertical Z axis, the fastening strips are arranged to be
occluded over a predetermined length in the X axis, the fastening
strips are arranged to be deoccluded and form an opening between the
fastening strips when deoccuded the opening is visible when viewed in
the Z axis, the first fastening strip includes a first portion with a
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first color, the first color is visible when viewed in the Z axis when
the fastening strips are deoccluded, the first fastening strip or the
second fastening strip includes a second portion with a second
translucent color, the first color combines with thesecond color to
form a third color when viewed in the Z axis when the fastening strips
are occluded; and wherein the second fastening stip includes a third
portion with the first color.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of
manufacturing a closure device, comprising: providing first and second
fastening strips, the fastening strips have a longitudinal X axis, a
transverse Y axis and a vertical z axis, the fastening strips are
arranged to be occluded over a predetermined length in the X axis, the
fastening strips are arranged to be deoccluded and form an opening
between the fastening strips when deoccluded, the opening is visible
when viewed in the z axis, providing the first fastening strip
includes a first portion with a first color, the first color is
visible when viewed in the Z axis when the fastening strips are
deoccluded , the first fastening strip or the second fastening strip
includes a second portion with a second translucent color, the first
color combines with the second color to form a third color when viewed
in the Z axis when the fastening strips are occluded; and wherein the
second fastening strip includes a third portion with the first color.
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.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA4JINGS
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 top view of the container in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fastening strips along
line 3-3 in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fastening 20 strips
along line 4-4 in Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a top view of the container in Fig 1 and illustrates
an unoccluded portion in the fastening strips;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of fastening strips;
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
fastening strips;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
fastening strips; and
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Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment
of fastening strips.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Fig. l 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 124, 125 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 130, 131 and the.slider 132 have a longitudinal X
axis 102, a transverse Y axis 104 and a 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 transverse Y
axis 104.
The first fastening strip 130 is attached to the first
sidewall 122 near the top end bf the bag 120. The second
fastening strip 131 is attached to the second sidewall 123
near the top end of the bag 120. The fastening strips 130,
131 are located across from and substantially parallel to
each other and are configured to allow-the fastening strips
130, 131 to be able to interlock. 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
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engages .the fastening strips 130, 131 so that when the
slider 132 moves in ~ an occlusion direction 114, the
fastening strips 130; 131 occlude and the bag 220 is sealed,
and when the slider 132 moves in a deocclusion direction
5 116, the fastening strips 130, 131 deocclude or separate and
the bag 120 is open.
Referring to Figs. 2-4, the first fastening strip 130
includes a first closure element 134 and the second fastening
strip 131 includes a second closure element 136. The first
closure element 134 has a first color. The second closure
element 136 may have the first color, another color or no
color. The first fastening strip 130 may include a flange
138 which extends inwardly toward the second fastening strip
131. The flange 138 may have a second color, another color
or no color. The second fastening strip 131 may include a
flange 139 which extends inwardly toward the first fastening
strip 130. The flange 139 may have a second color, another
color of no color.
In another embodiment, the flange may be part of the
closure element as shown in Fig. 6, but the flange may have a
color different than the closure element as noted above.
Figs. 3 and 4 show the fastening strips in the
deoccluded and occluded positions and illustrate the color
changes when viewed from the top of the fastening strips in
the Z axis 106.
Fig. 3 shows the fastening strips 130, 131 in the
deoccluded position. The fastening strips 130, 131 may be
viewed from the top of the fastening strips in the Z axis 106
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along lines of sight 150, 152, 154, 156. When the fastening
strips 130, 131 are viewed along line of sight 150 or line of
sight 156, the color ,of the flanges 138, 139 will be
observed. If the fastening strips 130, 131 are viewed from
above along line of sight 152 or line of sight 154, the color
of the closure elements 134, 136 will be observed.
Fig. 4 shows the fastening strips 130, 131 in the
occluded position. Zines of sight 160, 162 illustrate how
the fastening strips 130, 131 may be viewed from the top of
the fastening strips in the Z axis 106. When the fastening
strips 130, 131 are viewed along line of sight 160 or line of
sight.162, only the color of the flanges 138, 139 will be
observed. In addition, when the fastening strips 130, 131
are fully occluded, the color of the closure elements 134,
136 will not be observed. If the color of the closure
elements 134, 136 are observed from above, then this
situation is a visual indication that the fastening strips
130, 131 are partially deoccluded as shown in Fig 5.
Fig. 5 shows a top view of the container and
illustrates.the slider 132 moved in the occlusion direction.
'Ihe fastening strips 130, 131 are not fully occluded, and
contain a deoccluded portion 170 wherein the fastening strips
130, 131 are partially deoccluded. A partial cross-section
of the fastening strips 130, 131 through the deoccluded
portion 170 would be similar to Fig.. 3. .When the deoccluded
portion 170 is viewed from. above, the color of the closure
elements 134, 136 will be observed, indicating that the
fastening strips 130, 131 are partially deoccluded.
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The color of the closure elements 134, 136 and the
flanges 138, 139 may be varied in several ways. In a first
example, the closure elements 134, 136 may be a first color
and the flanges 138, 139 may be a second color.
5.
In a second example, the closure elements 134, 136 may
be a first color and the flanges 138, 139 may be a
translucent second ;color. When viewed from the top of the
closure device, the second color may visually combine with
the first color to create a third color. For example, the
first- color may be yellow and the second color may be
translucent blue and the third color may be green.
In a third example, the closure element 134 may be a
first color, the closure element 136 may be a second color
and the flanges 138, 139 may be a third color.
In a fourth example, the closure element 134 may be a
first color, the closure element 136 may be a second' color,
the flange 13.8 may be a third color and the flange 139 may be
a fourth color.
In a fifth example, the closure element, 134 may have a
first color, the closure element 136 may have a second color
and the flanges 138, 139 may be clear (i.e., no color). If
the fastening strips are occluded and viewed from the top of
the fastening strips,. the user may see a combined third color
which is a combination of the first and second colors, or the
user may see that the first and second colors are reduced in
color intensity or the first and second colors are eliminated
depending upon the clarity of the flanges.
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As shown in Fig. 6, 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 230 with a first closure element 236 and a
. second fastening strip 231 with a second closure element 234.
The first closure element 236 engages the second closure
element 234. The first fastening strip 230 may include a
flange 263 disposed at the upper end of the first fastening
strip 230 and a rib 267 disposed at the lower end of the
first fastening strip 230. The first fastening strip 230 may
include a flange portion 269. Likewise, the second fastening
strip 231 may include a flange 253 disposed at the upper. end
of the second fastening strip 231 and a rib 257 disposed at
the lower end of the second fastening strip 231. The second
fastening strip 231 may include a flange portion 259. The
side walls 222, 223 of the plastic bag 220 may be attached to
the fastening strips 230, 231 by conventional manufacturing
techniques.
The second closure element 234 includes a base portion
238 having a pair of spaced-apart parallely disposed webs
240, 241, extending from the base portion 238. The base and
the~iaebs form a U-channel closure element. The webs 240,
include hook closure portions 242, 244 extending from the
webs 240, 241 respectively, and facing towards each other.
The hook closure portions 242, 244 include guide surfaces
246, 247 which serve to guide the hook closure portions 242,
244 for occluding with the hook closure portions 252, 254 of
the first closure element 236.
The first closure element 236 includes a base portion
248 including a pair of spaced-apart, parallely disposed webs
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250, 251 extending from the base portion 248. The -base and
the webs form a U-channel closure element. The webs 250, 251
include hook closure portions 252, 254 extending from the
webs 250, 251 respectively and facing 'away from each. other.
The hook closure portions 252, 254 inclucle guide surfaces
245, 255, which generally serve to guide the hook closure
portions -252, 254 for occlusion with. the hook closure
portions 242, 244 of the second closure element 234. The
guide su-rfaces 245; 255 may also have a rounded crown
surface.
The slider 232 includes a top portion 272. The top
portion provides.a separator 243 having a first end and a
second end wherein the first end may be wider than the
second end. In addition,' the separator 243 may be
triangular in shape. ,When the slider is moved in the
occlusion direction, the separator 243 deoccludes the
fastening strips 230, 231 as shown in Fig. 6. Referring to
Fig. 6, the closure elements 234, 236 are deoccluded and
specifically, the upper hook portions 242, 252 and the~lower
hook portions 244, 254 are deoccluded.
The interlocking fastening strips may comprise
"arrowhead-type" or "rib and groove" fastening strips as
shown in Fig. 7 and as described in U.S. Patent 3,806,998.
The rib element 305 interlocks with the groove element 307.
The rib element 305 is of generally arrow-shape in transverse
cross section including a head 310 comprising interlock
shoulder hook portions 311 and 312 generally convergently
related to provide .a cam ridge 313 generally aligned with a
stem flange 314 by which the head is connected in spaced
relation with respect to the suppofting flange portion 308.
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(U. S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 16-23). At their
surfaces nearest the connecting stem flange 314, the shoulder
portions 311 and '312 define reentrant angles therewith
providing interlock hooks engageable with interlock hook
5 flanges 315 and 317 respectively of the groove element 307.
(U.S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 23-28). Said hoo k
flanges generally converge toward one'another.and are spread
open to receive the head 310 therebetween when said head is
pressed into saidw groove element 307 until the head is fully
10 received in a groove 318 of said groove element 307 generally
complementary to the head and within which the head is
interlocked by interengagement of the head shoulder hook
portions~311 and 312 and the groove hook flanges 315 and 317.
(U. S. Patent 3, 806, 998, Col. 2, lines 28-36) . Through this
arrangement, as indicated, the head and groove elements 305
and 307 are adapted to be interlockingly engaged by being
pressed together and to be separated when forc.ably pulled
apart, as by means of a generally U-shaped slider.319. (U. S.
Patent 3, 806, 998, Col. 2, lines 36-41) .
The slider 319 includes a flat'back plate 320 adapted
to run along free edges 321 on the upper ends of the sections
of the flange portions 308 and 309 as shown in the drawing.
(U. S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 41-46). Integrally
formed with the back plate 320 and extending in the same
direction (downwardly as shown), therefrom are respective
coextensive side walls 322 with an intermediate spreader
finger 323 extending in the same direction as tho side walls
at one end of the slider. (U.S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2,
lines 46-51). The side walls 322 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
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slider walls 322 are each provided with an inwardly
projecting shoulder structure 324 flange adapted to engage
respective shoulder ribs 325 and 327 on respectively outer
sides of the lower section of the flange portions 308 and
309. (U. 5. Patent 3, 806, 998, Col. 2, line 66 to Co. 3, line
3) .
In accordance with the invention, the head 310 may be a
first color and the groove element 307 may be a second color
or no color. In another embodiment, the head 310 and/or the
groove element 307 may be a first color and the fastening
strips may include a flange or flanges as noted above which
may be a second color or no color as noted above.
Additionally, the interlocking fastening strips may
comprise "profile" fastening strips, as shown in Fig. 8 and
described in U. S. Patent 5, 664, 299. As shown in FIG. 8, the
first profile 416 has at least an uppermost closure element
416a and a bottommost closure element 416b. (U. S. Patent
5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 25-27). The closure elements 416a
and 416b project laterally from the inner surface of strip
414. (U. S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 27-28).
Likewise, the second profile 417 has at least an uppermost
closure element 417a and a bottommost closure element 417b.
(U. S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 28-30). The closure
elements 417a and 417b project laterally from the inner
surface of strip 415. (U. S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines
30-32).~ When the bag is closed, the closure elements of
profile 416 interlock with the corresponding closure elements
of profile 417. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 32-
34). As shown in FIG. 8, closure elements 416a, 416b, 417a
and 417b have hooks on the ends of the closure elements, so
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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 410' comprises an inverted U-
shaped member having a top 420 for moving along the top edges
of the strips 414 and 415. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 4,
lines 1-3). The slider 410 has side walls 421 and 422,
depending from the top 420. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 4,
lines 3-4). A separating leg 423 depends from the top 420
between the side walls 421 and 422 and is located between the
uppermost closure elements 416a and 41,7a of profiles 416 and
417. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 26-30). The
fastening assembly includes ridges 425 on the outer surfaces
of the fastening strips 414 and 415, and shoulders 421b and
422b 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
425. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 5, lines 4-7).
In accordance with the invention, the uppermost closure
element 417a may be a first color and the first profile 416
or a portion thereof may be a second color or no color.
Also, the interlocking fastening strips may be "rolling
action" fastening strips as shown in Fig. 9 and described in
U.S. Patent 5,007,143. The strips 514 and 515 include
profiled tracks 518 and 519 extending along the length
thereof. parallel to the rib and groove elements 516 and 517
and the rib and groove elements 516, 517 have complimentary
cross-sectional shapes such that they are closed by pressing
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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 a 4, line 62 to Col. 5, line 1).
The rib element 516 is hook shaped and projects from the
inner face of strip 514. (U.S. Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5,
lines 1-3). The groove element 517 includes a lower hook-
shaped projection 517a and a relatively straight projection
517b which extend from the inner face o,f strip 515. (U. S.
Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 3-6). The profiled tracks
518 and 519 are inclined inwardly toward each other from
their respective strips 514 and 515. (U. S. Patent 5,007,143,,
Col. 5, lines 6-8).
The straddling slider 510 comprises an inverted U-
shaped plastic member having a back 520 for moving along the
top edges of the tracks 518 arid 519 with side walls 521 and
522 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 523 depends from the back 520 betweenthe side walls
521 and 522 and is inserted between the inclined tracks 518
and 519. (U. S. Patent 5, 007, 143, Col. 5, lines 34-36) . The
slider 510 has shoulders 521a and 522a projecting inwardly
from the depending side walls 521 and 522 which are shaped
throughout the length thereof for cooperation with the
depending separator finger 523 in creating the~rolling action
in opening and closing the reclosable interlocking rib and
groove profile elements 516 and 517. (U. S_ Patent 5,007,143,
Col. 5, lines f3-49).
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In accordance with the invention, the projection ,517b
may have a first color and the track 518 or the entire rib
element 514 may have a second color or no color.
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 be used without departing from the scope or
spirit of the. present invention.
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.
The fastening strips may be appropriately colored using
a suitable colorant such as a dye or pigment.
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
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bag may be made from a mixture of high pressure, low density
polyethylene and linear, low density polyethylene.
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.
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
may be positioned on opposite sides of the film. Such an
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embodiment would be suited for wrapping an object or a
collection of objects such as wires. The first and second
fastening strips may 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
ZO 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, polyket~one,
polybutylene terrephthalate, high density polyethylene,
polycarbonate or ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene).
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.
