Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SLIDER APPLYING OPENING OR CLOSING FORCES TO A RECLOSABLE
FASTENER LYING IN A~TWO DIMENSIONAL PLANE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to sliders applying opening or closing forces to a
reclosable
fasteners, particularly rigid, elongate reclosable fasteners lying in a plane
defining
mutually orthogonal X and Y directions.
BACKGROUND
Flexible storage bags for use in the containment and protection of various
items,
as well as the preservation of perishable materials such as food items, are
well known in
the art. Such bags typically comprise an elongate reclosable fastener such as
an
interlocking rib-type seal integrally formed with the bag, to seal contents
disposed in the
bag. Sliding closure mechanisms, which utilize a sliding plastic sleeve to
bias
interlocking ribs into and out of engagement, have become popular due to their
comparative ease of operation and visual and tactile confirmation that the
seal formed by
the reclosable fastener has been successfully completed.
Rigid and semi-rigid containers are also well known in the art. Such
containers
have realized a fair degree of commercial success in providing a means for
storing a wide
variety of contents. These containers typically incorporate lids which are
usually sealed
to the container by a reclosable fastener comprising interlocking protruded
and recessed
elements such as bulbs and grooves. Additionally, U.S. Patent No. 3,784,055
issued
January 8, 1974 to Anderson, and U.S. Patent No. 3,967,756 issued July 6, 1976
to
Barish.
While such mechanical closures can be effective in preserving container
contents,
some consumers experience difficulty in fully completing the closure operation
and
confirming for themselves that a satisfactory closure has been achieved. This
is
particularly so when the physical change in position of the lid between
interlocked and
non-interlocked positions is comparatively small.
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Traditional sliders used with reclosable fasteners on flexible storage bags
assures the
user that the fastener is opened or closed during use,~however, such sliders
typically embody
sidewalls limiting their operation to unidirectional fasteners. An example of
a traditional type
slider is illustrated in U.S. patent No. 3,660,875 issued May 9, 1972 to
Gutman. Belgian
Patent No. 505,325 to Prouvost, illustrates the use of a flexible airtight
zipper on a storage
bag for holding fabric remnants Since rigid and semi-rigid containers
typically incorporate
lids sealed by fasteners extending in directions having vector components
extending in
mutually orthogonal directions, the traditional sliders are unsuitable for
opening or closing
such fasteners. The zipper seal of Prouvost would require considerable
flexibility in the
joined components to enable such a zipper to circumscribe a multidimensional
rigid or semi-
rigid reclosabie container. The seal of Prouvost does not apply a sealing
force in a Z direction
while traversing a path in the X- Y plane.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a slider for opening or closing a
reclosable
fastener for sealing a lid to a storage container wherein the reelosable
fastener lies in a two
dimensional plane defining mutually orthogonal directions. Particularly, it is
desirable to
provide a slider that is slidably attachable to the reclosable fastener and
capable of effectively
opening or closing the fastener while pivoting around corners joining mutually
orthogonal
sections or curvilinear segments of the fastener. More particularly, it is
desirable to provide a
slider having the aforementioned attributes that can effectively open and
close the -reelosable
fastener requiring minimal maneuvering by the consumer other than moving the
slider along
the fastener.
AMENDED SHEET
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a slider for a reclosable
fastener
lying in a two dimensional plane. In accordance with an aspect of the present
invention,
there is provided a slider for opening or closing a rigid, elongate reclosable
fastener lying
in an X-Y plane and sealable in a Z direction orthogonal thereto whereby the
slider imparts
forces to the fastener in the Z direction to open or close the fastener as the
slider moves
along a travel path having vector components in X and Y directions.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a slider
for
opening or closing an elongate reclosable fastener lying in a two dimensional
plane
defining X and Y directions and having interlocking protruded and recessed
elements and
tracks extending along the length thereof defining a travel path having vector
components
extending in each of the X and Y directions, the slider is slidably attached
to the tracks and
moveable along the travel path in opposing first and second directions, the
slider
comprising: a wedge having an internal surface and an external surface, a
closing end and
an opening end, both the internal surface and the external surface are
inclined in the first
direction from the closing end to the opening end, wherein the internal
surface presses the
recessed element into engagement with the protruded element as the slider
moves in the
first direction during closing and the external surface separates the recessed
element from
the protruded element as the slider moves in the second direction during
opening.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a slider
for
opening or closing an elongate reclosable fastener lying in a two dimensional
plane
defining X and Y directions and having interlocking protruded and recessed
elements and
tracks extending along the length thereof defining a travel path having vector
components
extending in each of the X and Y directions, the slider is slidably attachable
to the tracks
and moveable along the travel path in opposing first and second directions,
the slider
comprising: a length extending from an opening end to a closing end and a
width; a base
having a first surface; a first elongate member having an internal surface, a
proximal end
depending from the first surface of the base and a distal end; a second
elongate member
spaced apart from the first elongate member, the second elongate member having
a
proximal end depending from the first surface of the base and a distal end; a
third elongate
member spaced apart from the first elongate member interposing the second
member
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therebetween, the third elongate member having an internal surface, a proximal
end
depending from the first surface of the base and a distal end; a wedge
depending from the
second elongate member, the wedge having an internal surface and a sloping
external
surface inclined in the closing direction from the closing end to the opening
end; and
wherein the wedge is interposed between interlocking surfaces of protruded and
recessed
elements of a reclosable fastener while the internal surfaces of the first and
third elongate
members interface with non-interlocking surfaces of the protruded element and
the
recessed element of such a reclosable fastener, respectively.
A slider opens or closes a rigid elongate reclosable fastener lying in an X-Y
plane
and sealable in a Z direction orthogonal thereto. The slider is slidably
attachable to the
fastener and imparts forces to the fastener in the Z direction to open or
close the same as
the slider moves along a travel path having vector components in the X and Y
directions.
The slider biases interlocking elements of the reclosable fastener operatively
associated
therewith into engagement with one another as the slider is moved in a first
direction
along the travel path and urges the interlocking elements apart when the
slider is moved
in a second direction along the travel path, opposite the first direction.
In one embodiment a wedge disposed on the slider biases the interlocking
elements
of the fastener into engagement as the slider is moved in the first direction
and urges the
elements apart as the slider is moved in the second direction. In an alternate
embodiment, a
wedge urges the interlocking elements apart as the slider moves in the second
direction
while separate portions of the slider have a spacing therebetween which is
sufficiently small
as to bias the elements of the fastener together as the slider moves in the
first direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and
distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the present
invention will be
better understood from the following description in conjunction with the
accompanying
Drawing Figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and
wherein:
Figure 1 is perspective view of a storage container incorporating a slider for
opening or closing a reclosable fastener attaching the lid to the container.
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Figure 2a is a cross sectional view of interlocking elements of the elongate
reclosable fastener sealing the lid to the flange of the container depicted in
Figure 1.
Figure Zb is a cross sectional view of the elongate reclosable fastener
depicted in
Figure 2a showing the interlocking elements separated apart in an opened
configuration.
Figure 3 is a top view of the storage container depicted in Figure 1 showing
the
travel path of the slider and a first direction of travel which closes the
reclosable fastener.
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Figure 4 is a top view of the storage container depicted in Figure 1 showing
the
travel path of the slider and a second direction of travel which opens the
reclosable
fastener.
Figure Sa is a perspective view of an embodiment of a slider according to the
present invention.
Figure Sb is side view along the width of the slider depicted in Figure Sa
showing
the closing end of the slider.
Figure Sc is a side view along the length of the slider depicted in Figure Sa.
Figure 6a is a cross sectional view of the closing end of the slider depicted
in
Figures 5a-Sc shown slidably attached to a reclosable fastener in the closing
configuration.
Figure 6b is a cross sectional view of the opening end of the slider depicted
in
Figures Sa-Sc shown slidably attached to a reclosable fastener in the opening
configuration.
Figure 7a is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a slider
according
to the present invention.
Figure 7b is side view along the length of the slider depicted in Figure 7a.
Figure 8a is a perspective view of a modified configuration of . the slider
embodiment illustrated in Figures 7a-7b.
Figure 8b is a side view along the width of the slider depicted in Figure 8a
showing the opening end of the slider.
Figure 8c is side view along the length of the slider depicted in Figure 8a.
Figure 9a is a cross sectional view of the closing end of the slider depicted
in
Figures 8a-8c shown slidably attached to a reclosable fastener in the closing
configuration.
Figure 9b is a cross sectional view of the opening end of the slider depicted
in
Figure 8a-8c shown slidably attached to a reclosable fastener in the opening
configuration.
DESCRIPTION
As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:
X, Y, and Z are coordinates defining perpendicular directions intersecting one
another at right angles at an origin.
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Rigid means deficient or devoid of flexibility; appearing stiff and
unyielding,
remaining unaltered when typical in-use forces are applied.
A reclosable fastener is a fastener that is selectively openable, sealable,
reopenable and resealable.
5 The present invention pertains to a slider suitable for opening or closing
an
elongate reclosable fastener. Although the slider of the present invention is
applicable for
opening all types of reclosable fasteners used for sealing flexible storage
bags, tubs, or
other storage containers, it is particularly suitable for opening or closing
rigid, elongate
reclosable fasteners lying in an X-Y plane requiring the slider to travel
along a path
having vector components in the X and Y directions. More particularly, the
slider
according to the present invention is suitable for opening or closing a rigid
elongate
reclosable fastener lying in an X-Y plane and sealable in a Z direction
orthogonal thereto,
whereby the slider imparts forces to the fastener in the Z direction to open
or close the
same as the slider moves along the travel path. An example of such a
reclosable fastener
is one sealing a lid 30 to the flange 20 of a storage container 10 as
illustrated in Figure 1.
The container 10 according to the present invention may be relatively small,
such
that the container 10 may be stored in one's pocket or purse. Such a container
10 may be
useful for storing pills, capsules, etc. Alternatively, the container 10 may
be relatively
large such that the container 10 is sized to fit a flat bed semi-truck. Such a
container 10
may be useful for carrying construction materials, etc. One contemplated use
for the
container 10 is to store perishable items such as food.
In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, the storage container 10 includes a
container body 12 which may be unitarily formed from a piece of sheet
material, a planar
or domed shaped bottom side 14 defining an X-Y plane, an opening 16 shown
opposite
the bottom side 14, a flange 20 circumscribing the opening 16, and a lid 30
for covering
the opening 16. Both the flange 20 and the lid 30 are illustrated as planar
but may be
shaped concave or convex relative to the bottom side 14.
Although the container body 12 illustrated has 4 sidewalk, the body may
actually
comprise three or more sidewalk. In addition, although the opening 16 in the
container
illustrated in Figure 1 is disposed opposite the bottom side 14, the invention
is applicable
openings 16 disposed on any side of the container.
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The flange 20 may be either unitarily formed with the container body 12 or
provided as a separate material element joined to the container body 12. When
provided
as a separate, preferably more rigid material element, it is preferred that
the container
body 12 material be formed into at least a small peripheral flange 20 at its
upper edge
(defining the opening 16) with pleated corners so as to form a suitable
junction point for
joining the container body 12 to the flange 20. The lid 30 may be either
unitarily formed
with the container body 12 or at least hingedly attached to the flange 20 at a
hinge line
25. The hinge line 25 may comprise a unitary living hinge or be provided as a
line of
weakness by scoring, perforations, or the like which may optionally permit the
lid 30 to
be separated from the container body 12. While a hinged embodiment is shown,
embodiments without hinges are contemplated.
The reclosable fastener 40 may circumscribe or partially enclose the container
opening 16. The reclosable fastener 40 may comprise any type of reusable
mechanical
seal known in the art. Suitable seals include friction fit or a compression
fit fin seals,
adhesive seals, cohesive seals, and selectively activatable adhesives as
illustrated by
commonly assigned U.S. Patent Numbers 5,662,758, issued Oct. 2, 1997 in the
names of
Hamilton, et al., 5,871,607, issued Feb. 16, 1999 in the names of Hamilton, et
al., and
U.S. Patent No. 5,965,235, issued Oct. 12, 1999, in the name of McGuire, et
al. By
reusable, it is meant that the lid 30 of the container 10 may be reversibly
transformed
between each of the open and closed positions at least two times and still
functionally seal
the container 10.
In the embodiment shown in Figure l, the reclosable fastener 40 comprises
mechanical interlocking elements 42, 44 which includes at least one protruded
element 42
interlocking with at least one recessed element 44 to form a seal. The two
interlocking
elements 42, 44 circumscribe the container opening 16, occupying a marginal
portion of
the lid 30 and a marginal portion of the flange 20. The interlocking elements
42, 44 are
preferably spaced a substantially constant distance inwardly from the
peripheral edge of
the lid 30 and flange 20 enabling a slider 100 having an adequate inward
extent to be
drawn along the peripheral edge without leaving gaps or unsealed portions.
As illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b, the protruded element 42 may have a
bulbous
shape and the recessed element 44 may be a groove 49 shaped complementary to
the
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protruded element 42. The interlocking elements 42, 44 are disposed on mating
portions
of the flange 20 and lid 30. The protruded element 42 may be unitarily formed
with the
flange 20 extending upwardly from the top side 22 of the flange 20 while the
recessed
element 44 may be uniformly formed with the lid 30 having a bulbous non-
interlocking
surface 47 extending upward from the top side 32 of the lid 30 or vice versa.
The
recessed element 44 is open on the bottom side 34 of the lid 30 so as to
receive the
protruded element 42 therein while the protruded element 42 is open on the
bottom side
24 of the flange 20.
The slider 100 depicted in Figure 1 has a generally C-shaped configuration
with
ends of the slider 100 straddling the peripheral edges of the flange 20 and
lid 30 in
overlying relation enabling portions of the slider 100 to interface with the
interlocking
elements 42, 44 of the reclosable fastener 40. One portion of the slider 100
which
interfaces with interlocking elements 42, 44 has a spacing therebetween which
is
sufficiently small as to bias the elements into interlocking engagement when
the slider
100 is translationally drawn in a first direction over a region of the
periphery where the
elements are separated. Other portions of the slider 100 urge the interlocked
elements 42,
44 apart as the slider 100 moves in a second direction opposite the first
direction,
applying separating forces.
The reclosable fastener 40 may define a continuous travel path having vector
components in the X and Y directions and extending from an opened end 50 to a
closed
end 52 for directing the motion of the slider 100 along the fastener 40.
Alternatively, as
illustrated in Figure 1, a track 46 may be disposed along side of the fastener
defining the
continuous travel path 48.
The travel path 48 may comprise a combination of rectilinear sectors running
in
mutually perpendicular directions, with one sector running substantially
parallel to the X
direction and an adjacent sector running substantially parallel to the Y
direction. The
sectors are joined via a transition region which may comprise an arc having a
radius of
curvature and a perimeter having points of tangency with vector components in
the X and
Y directions. The travel path 48 may also be entirely curvilinear having an
oval shape or
comprise a series of arcuate sectors forming a path having a wavy pattern such
as a
sinusoidal shape.
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Figures 3 and 4 show top views of the storage container 10 depicted in Figure
1.
The track 46 is congruent with the reclosable fastener 40 along all edges of
the lid 30 and
flange 20 except for the edge occupied by the hinge line 25. The track 46 runs
from one
side of the hinge line 25 comprising an opened end SO of the fastener to the
other side of
the hinge line 25 comprising a closed end 52.
In the configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4, the track 46 defines a travel
path
48 comprising two opposing arcs 54, 56 curved concave towards the center of
the
container joined by a predominantly straight, although slightly curved sector
58 opposite
the hinge line 25. As the track 46 approaches the open end 50 of the fastener
near the
hinge line 25, the track 46 diverts away from the fastener in order to direct
the slider 100
to a parking place 60 enabling the lid 30 to rotate about the hinge line 25 or
be removed
from the container without interfering with the slider 100.
As illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b, the track 46 can comprise a slot 70 in
the top
side of the lid 30 congruent with the recessed element 44 of the reclosable
fastener 40.
The slot 70 includes an inside edge 72 nearest the recessed element 44 and an
outside
edge 74 opposite the inside edge 72. The slot 70 in the top side 32 of the lid
30 forms a
bead 76 on the bottom side 34 of the lid 30 which interfaces with a
complementary slot
80 in the top side 22 of the flange 20 congruent with the protruded element 42
of the
reclosable fastener 40. The slot 80 in the top side 22 of the flange 20
protrudes through
the flange 20 forming a bead 82 on the bottom side 24 of the flange 20. The
bead 82 on
the bottom side 24 of the flange 20 includes an inside edge 84 nearest to the
opened end
41 of the protruded element 42 and an outside edge 86 opposite the inside edge
84.
The inside edge 84 of the bead 82 on the bottom side 24 of the flange 20
generally
defines a first edge 90 of the track 46 for the slider embodiments described
hereunder. In
one slider embodiment, the outside edge 81 of the slot 80 in the top side 22
of the flange
20 forms the second edge 94 of the track 46 when such slider is disposed in
the opening
mode whereas the outside edge 74 of the slot 70 in the top side 32 of the lid
30 forms the
second edge 92 of the track when such slider is disposed in the closing mode.
In another
embodiment, the outside edge 74 of the slot 70 in the top side 32 of the lid
30 defines
second edge 92 of the track 46 when the slider is disposed in both the opening
and the
closing modes.
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As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the slider 100 is slidably attachable to
the track
46 and moveable along the travel path 48. The slider 100 has a length 102
running
parallel to the travel path 48 and a width 104 running orthogonal thereto. As
shown in
Figures Sa, Sb, and Sc, the C-shaped body of the slider 100 comprises a base
110 having a
first surface 112 with first and second elongate members 120, 130 extending
therefrom in
a side-by side arrangement. The first and second elongate members 120, 130
each have
proximal ends 122, 132 depending from the first surface 112 of the base 110,
distal ends
124, 134 extended away from the first surface 112 and opposing internal
surfaces 126,
136. The first elongate member 120 includes a pivot 140 depending from the
internal
surface 126 at the distal end 124 projecting towards the second elongate
member 130.
The second elongate member 130 includes a tracking member 160 depending from
the
internal surface 136 at the distal end 134 projecting towards the first
elongate member
120.
The tracking member 160 may be aligned with the pivot 140 along the length 102
of the slider 100 and along the width 104 of the slider 100. Alternatively,
the tracking
member 160 may be offset from the pivot 140 along the length 102 of the slider
and
along the width 104 of the slider 100. Preferably, as shown in Figures Sa-Sc,
the tracking
member 160 is offset from the pivot 140 along the width 104 of the slider 100
and
aligned with the pivot 140 along the length 102 of the slider 100.
In configurations, where the reclosable fastener defines the travel path 48,
the first
and second elongate members 120, 130 straddle the peripheral edges of the lid
30 and
flange 20 while the pivot 140 and tracking member 160 interface with the
interlocking
elements of the fastener 42, 44. Particularly, the pivot 140 may interface
with the opened
end 41 of the protruded element 42 on the bottom side 24 of the flange 20 and
the
tracking member 160 may interface with the non-interlocking surface 47 of the
recessed
element 44 on the top side 32 of the lid 30.
In the assembled configurations illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b, the first
and
second elongate members 120, 130 straddle the peripheral edges of the lid 30
and flange
20 as the pivot 140 and tracking member 160 interface with the slot 70 on the
top side of
the lid 30 and the bead on the bottom side 24 of the flange 20. Particularly,
in the closing
mode shown in Figures 6a, the tracking member 160 is disposed against the
outside edge
74 of the slot 70 in the top side of the lid 30 while the pivot 140 butts
against the inside
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edge 84 of the bead 82 on the bottom side 24 of the flange 20. In the opening
mode
illustrated in Figure 6b, the tracking member 160 is disposed against the
outside edge 81
of the slot 80 in the top side 22 of the flange 20 while the pivot 140 rests
against the
inside edge 84 of the bead 82 on the bottom side 24 of the flange 20.
5 The pivot 140 enables the slider 100 to rotate about the distal end 124 of
the first
elongate member 120, particularly along curvilinear sectors and transition
regions having
vector components extending in the X and Y directions. For this reason, the
pivot 140
comprises an oval, preferably cylindrical external surface 142 which
interfaces with the
track 46. In order for the slider 100 to properly rotate about the pivot 140
along
10 curvilinear sectors or transition regions along the travel path 48, the
pivot 140 is
assembled on the concave side of the curvilinear sectors or transition regions
while the
tracking member 160 is assembled along the convex side. This enables the base
110 of
the slider 100 to rotate relative to distal ends of the elongate members as
the slider 100
moves along the curvilinear sectors of the travel path 48.
The tracking member 160 generally maintains the attachment of the slider 100
to
the track 46 and guides the slider 100 along the travel path 48. However, the
tracking
member 160 may also serve as a pivot particularly where the travel path 48
takes on a
wavy pattern such as a sinusoidal shape requiring both the base 110 and the
distal ends of
the elongate members to rotate relative to one another depending upon the
slider 100
location along the travel path 48. The external surface 162 of the tracking
member 160 is
preferably convex in shape in order to minimize frictional contact with the
track 46.
However, the external surface 162 is oval and preferably, cylindrical if the
tracking
member 160 is also required to function as a pivot.
Although rotation of the slider 100 is desirable, particularly in transition
regions
along the travel path 48, it may be necessary to maintain proper orientation
of the slider
100 relative to the reclosable fastener 40 to ensure that portions of slider
100 interfacing
with the interlocking elements 42, 44, described hereunder, are properly
oriented relative
to the fastener. This may be enable the slider 100 to operate more effectively
in opening
and closing the fastener. For instance, proper orientation of the slider 100
may include
the length 102 of the slider 100 being substantially parallel to the travel
path 48 while the
width 104 is substantially orthogonal thereto. Such an orientation can be
maintained by a
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rotation restraint 180 disposed on the slider 100 that interfaces with the
reclosable
fastener 40 or the track 46.
Although the rotation restraint 180 may comprise a number of different
configurations to control the rotation of the slider 100, the rotation
restraint 180 for the
slider illustrated in Figures Sa-Sc comprises a pin 182 disposed on the
internal surface
126, at the distal end 124 of the first elongate member 120 projecting towards
the second
elongate member 130. As shown, the pin 182 is spaced apart from the pivot 140
along
the length 102 of the slider 100 and in alignment with the pivot 140 along the
width 104
of the slider 100. Like the pivot 140, the pin 182 interfaces with the travel
path 48 by
resting against the inside edge 84 of the bead 82 on the bottom side 24 of the
flange 20.
The distance between the restraint and the pivot 140 is limited, depending
upon
the travel path 48, particularly on the radius of curvature of the transition
regions along
the travel path 48. The greater the radius of curvature the greater the
allowable distance
separating the pivot 140 and the rotation restraint 180. Likewise, the smaller
the radius of
curvature the smaller the allowable distance therebetween.
Like the pivot 140 and the tracking member 160, the external surface of the
pin
182 is shaped to minimize frictional contact with the track 46. The external
surface can
have a convex shape in order to limit the interface to point contact.
As previously described, the primary function of the slider 100 is to bias the
interlocking elements 42, 44 of the reclosable fastener 40 together as the
slider 100
moves in a first direction 36 closing the fastener and to apply separating
forces to the
interlocking elements 42, 44 as the slider 100 moves in a second direction 38
opposite the
first direction 36 opening the fastener. The slider generally includes
features that provide
these functional characteristics.
In the embodiment shown in Figures Sa-c, the slider 100 includes a wedge 200
disposed on the distal end 124 of the second elongate member 130, adjacent to,
but
opposite the tracking member 160. The wedge 200 is disposed away from the
first
surface 112 of the base 110 to interface with the interlocking elements 42, 44
of the
reclosable fastener 40. The wedge 200 comprises an internal surface 202 and an
external
surface 204, an opening end 206 and a closing end 208. Spacing 210 between the
internal
surface 202 of the wedge 200 and the first elongate member 120 forms a channel
212
which converges along the length 102 of the slider 100 from a maximal distance
at the
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opening end 206 of the wedge 200 to a minimal distance at the closing end 208
of the
wedge 200.
As shown, the wedge 200 can be frustoconical having a concave internal surface
202 and a convex external surface 204. In order to minimize frictional contact
with the
interfacing components of the fastener 40, both the internal surface and the
external
surface of the wedge may comprise wavy contours extending from the opening end
206
to the closing end 208. For instance, the contour of the external surface 204
may be
convex relative to the travel path 48 near the opening end 206 and concave
relative to the
travel path 48 near the closing end 208 while the contour of the internal
surface 202 may
be concave near the opening and 206 and convex near the closing end 208.
For the slider embodiment illustrated in Figures Sa-c, the wedge 200 provides
the
function of opening and closing the reclosable fastener 40. In the closing
configuration
illustrated in Figure 6a, the concave internal surface 202 of the wedge 200
partially
encloses the bulbous non-interlocking surface 47 of the recessed element
formed in the
lid 30 while internal surface of the first elongate member 120 contacts the
bottom side 24
of the flange 20 at the bead 82 protruding therethrough forming the track 46.
As the
slider 100 moves along the travel path 48 in the first direction 36 shown in
Figure 3, the
converging channel formed between the concave internal surface 202 of the
wedge 200
and the internal surface 126 of the first elongate member 120 biases the
interlocking
elements 42, 44 together in a sealing arrangement.
Once the slider 100 travels the length of the travel path 48 in the first
direction 36
closing the fastener, the slider 100 can be placed in the opening
configuration by
reversing direction and interposing the wedge 200 between the interlocking
elements 42,
44. A flexible lip 43 extending from the recessed element 44 of the fastener
40 on the top
side of the lid 30, at the closed end 52 of the travel path 48 may be provided
to enable the
wedge 200 to initiate separation of the two elements 40,42.
In the opening configuration illustrated in Figure 6b, the wedge 200 is
disposed
between the interlocking elements 42, 44 so that the concave internal surface
202 of the
wedge 200 partially encloses the interlocking surface 45 of the protruding
element while
the groove 49 of the recessed element encloses the frustoconical external
surface 204 of
the wedge 200. As the slider 100 moves in the second direction 38 illustrated
in Figure 4,
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13
the frustoconical external surface 204 of the wedge 200 urges the interlocking
elements
42, 44 apart to open the reclosable fastener 40.
In the embodiment previously described, the wedge 200 performs both the
opening and closing operation forcing the user to either fully open or fully
close the
S fastener 40 before changing to the opposing operation. By providing a slider
having
separate components designated for opening and closing the fastener, the user
can switch
from the opening mode to the closing mode at any point along the travel path.
In an alternate embodiment shown in Figures 7a and 7b, the slider 300
comprises
a third elongate member 340 having a proximal end 342 depending from the first
surface
312 of the base 310, a distal end 344, and an internal surface 346. The third
elongate
member 340 is spaced apart from the first and second elongate members 320, 330
with
the second elongate member 330 being interposed between the first and third
elongate
members 320, 340.
The first and third elongate members 320, 340 cooperate to perform the closing
operation of the slider 300. The internal surface 346 of the third elongate
member 340
interfaces with the non-interlocking bulbous surface 47 of the recessed
element 44 while
the internal surface 326 of the first elongate member 320 interfaces with the
bead 82
forming the track on the bottom side 24 of the flange 20. The internal surface
326 of the
first elongate 320 is tapered so that the spacing 313 between the internal
surface 326 of
the first elongate member 320 and the internal surface 346 of the third
elongate member
340 varies along the length 302 of the slider from a maximal distance at the
opening end
306 to a minimal proximal distance at the closing end 308 forming a converging
channel
therebetween. The measure of the minimal proximal distance is designed to bias
the
interlocking elements 42, 44 of the reclosable fastener 40 into engagement
with one
another.
In order to minimize frictional contact between the slider 300 and the
reclosable
fastener 40, The third elongate member 340 may be modified as shown in Figures
8a-8c.
The third elongate member 340 may be shorter than the first elongate member
320 and
comprise a finger member 350 disposed at the distal end 344 of the third
elongate
member 340. The finger member 350 is positioned adjacent to the closing end
308 of the
slider 300, projecting parallel to the width 304 thereof.
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As further illustrated in Figure 9a, the forger member 350 comprises an
internal
surface 352 which interfaces with the top side 32 of the lid 30, particularly,
the non-
interlocking bulbous surface 47 of the recessed element 44. At the same time,
the
internal surface 326 of the first elongate member 320 interfaces with the
bottom side 24
of the flange 20, particularly, the bead 82 forming the track 46 along side of
the opened
end 41 of the protruded element 42 of the reclosable fastener 40.
Since the closing operation occurs primarily at the closing end 308 of the
slider,
the shorter third elongate member 340 can minimize contact with the fastener
while the
finger member 350 cooperates with the first elongate member 320 to bias the
interlocking
elements 42, 44 of the fastener 40 into engagement with one another. In order
to provide
better conformity with the non-interlocking bulbous surface 47 of the recessed
element
44, the internal surface 352 of the finger member 350 may be curved concave
towards the
first elongate member 320.
To perform the opening operation for the embodiments illustrated in Figures 7a-
1 S 7b and 8a-8c, a wedge 360 is interposed between the first and third
elongate members
320, 340. As shown, the wedge 360 may be disposed at the distal end 334 of the
second
elongate member 330. The wedge 360 is tapered such that the external surface
362 of the
wedge 360, opposite the internal surface 346 of the third elongate member 340,
is sloped
towards the first elongate member 320 from a first end 366 adjacent the
opening end 306
of the slider 300 to a second end 368 approaching the closing end 308 of the
slider 300.
The cross section of the wedge 360 decreases from the first end 366 to the
second end
368.
In its assembled configuration illustrated in Figure 9b, the wedge 360 is
interposed between the interlocking elements 42, 44 of the reclosable fastener
40 with the
internal surface 364 of the wedge 360 partially enclosing the bulbous
interlocking surface
41 of the protruded element 42 while the external surface 362 of the wedge 360
interfaces
with the groove 49 of the recessed element 44. In order to provide better
conformity with
the two interlocking elements 42, 44 the internal surface 364 may be concave
towards the
first elongate member 320 while the external surface 362 may be frustoconical.
So that the wedge 360 performing the opening function does not interfere with
the
aforementioned features performing the closing operation and vice versa, the
second end
368 of the wedge 360 is spaced apart from the closing end 308 of the slider.
Preferably,
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the second end of the wedge is spaced a predetermined distance from a plane
disposed at
the closing end 308 of the slider 300 defined by the minimal proximal distance
between
the internal surface 326 of the first elongate member 320 and the internal
surface 346 of
the third elongate member or internal surface 352 of the finger member 350,
depending
5 on the embodiment.
The sliders according to the present invention are preferably injection molded
from high density polyethylene. However, one skilled in the art would
recognize that
such sliders may be manufactured from any moldable or machinable material
utilizing
machining or molding operations known in the art.
10 While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated
and
described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other
changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and
modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
