Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02663362 2011-05-31
TITLE
CLOSURE MECHANISM HAVING INTERNAL PROJECTIONS TO DECREASE
SLIDER PULL-OFF
[0001] Blank
[0002] Blank
[0003] Blank
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention generally relates to a closure mechanism, and
more
particularly, to a slider actuated closure mechanism including features that
decrease slider
pull-off.
BACKGROUND
[0005] Slider actuated closure mechanisms are commonly used to seal
containers, for
example, flexible pouches. In such a closure mechanism, a slider is typically
disposed in
straddling relationship over interlocking elements of the closure mechanism.
Motion of the
slider in a first direction occludes the closure mechanism and motion of the
slider in a second
direction deoccludes the closure mechanism.
[0006] One such slider actuated closure mechanism has a pair of closure
elements,
each having a lateral extension disposed along a top edge thereof. Inner
surfaces of the
lateral extensions contact one another when the closure elements are occluded,
giving the
occluded closure mechanism a T-shape. A slider is retained over and in contact
with outer
surfaces of the lateral extensions.
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[0007] Another slider actuated closure mechanism has first and second closure
elements having respective first and second bases, wherein the first base has
a longer cross
section than the second base. The first base has a first perpendicular
projection inwardly
extending from a bottom end thereof, and the second closure element has a
second
perpendicular projection inwardly extending from a bottom end thereof. First
and second
sealing flanges downwardly extend from the respective first and second
perpendicular
projections and are inwardly offset from the respective first and second bases
to define a
shoulder at the bottom end of each base. In an occluded state, a distal end of
the first
projection abuts the second base and the second projection extends under the
first projection
such that a distal end of the second projection abuts the first sealing
flange. A slider has first
and second sidewalls, wherein the first sidewall has a longer cross section
than the second
sidewall, and each of the first and second sidewalls has an inwardly extending
member on a
distal end thereof. The inwardly extending members extend over the shoulders
to retain the
slider on the closure elements.
[0008] Yet another slider actuated closure mechanism has first and second
closure
elements having respective first and second bases of equal cross sectional
length. First and
second projections inwardly extend from a bottom end of the respective first
and second
bases. First and second sealing flanges downwardly extend from inner ends of
the respective
first and second projections to define a shoulder at the bottom end of each
base. Inwardly
extending members disposed at distal ends of sidewalls of a slider extend over
the shoulders
to retain the slider on the closure elements.
[0009] Still another slider actuated closure mechanism has at least one set of
interlocking profiles and a leakproofing means disposed on a product side of
the interlocking
profiles. A slider is retained on closure elements of the closure mechanism by
rails that fit
into corresponding grooves. The rails are disposed on the closure elements and
fit into
grooves in the slider, or the rails are disposed on the slider and fit into
grooves in the closure
elements. The slider is also retained on the closure elements by inwardly
extending members
disposed on distal ends of sidewalls of the slider, wherein the inwardly
extending members
are engaged by bottom portions of the closure elements to hold the slider
thereon. The
leakproofing means has members that inwardly extend from each closure element
to form a
seal against one another or against a surface of the opposite closure element
when the closure
mechanism is occluded.
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[0010] Yet a further slider actuated closure mechanism has first and second
closure
elements having respective first and second bases, wherein each of the first
and second bases
has a flange that extends upwardly therefrom. First and second feet are
disposed on bottom
ends of the respective first and second bases. Each of the first and second
feet has a long side
extending inwardly and a short side extending outwardly from each respective
base. A
sealing flange downwardly extends from each of the feet. A slider is retained
over the
closure elements by the outwardly extending short sides of the feet. In an
occluded state, the
feet are disposed in a staggered fashion such that the long side of the first
foot inwardly
extends above the second foot and the long side of the second foot inwardly
extends under
the first foot.
[0011] A still further slider actuated closure mechanism has a first flange
that
upwardly and outwardly extends at about a 45 degree angle from a top end of a
first closure
element. A second flange extends downwardly and outwardly at about a 45 degree
angle
from a middle portion of second closure element. A perpendicular projection
extends from
each of the first and second closure elements proximate a bottom end thereof,
wherein the
perpendicular projections are disposed directly opposite one another. A
sealing flange
extends from the bottom end of each of the first and second closure elements
and is offset
from an outer surface thereof to form a shoulder thereon. A slider is retained
on the
shoulders of the closure elements by an inwardly extending member on a bottom
end of each
sidewall of the slider. The slider also has a groove in each sidewall to
accommodate the first
and second flanges, wherein the shape of each groove varies across the slider
such that
moving the slider applies force to the first and second flanges to disengage
the closure
elements.
[0012] Still another slider actuated closure mechanism has first and second
closure
elements, wherein each closure element is attached at an outer surface thereof
to an inner
surface of respective first and second flange elements. Each of the first and
second closure
elements has an inwardly projecting member disposed at a bottom end thereof.
Each
inwardly projecting member downwardly extends at about a 45 degree angle. Each
of the
first and second flange elements has an outwardly extending protrusion
thereon, wherein each
outwardly extending protrusion is disposed just above each of the inwardly
projecting
members. A slider has an inwardly projecting arm disposed on a bottom end of
each sidewall
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thereof, wherein the inwardly projecting arms extend over the outwardly
extending
protrusions to retain the slider on the closure elements.
SUMMARY
[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, a closure mechanism comprises a
first
closure element including a first base and a first interlocking member
projecting inwardly
from an internal side of the first base. A first projection extends from the
internal side of the
first base, a first retention member extends opposite the first projection
from an external side
of the first base, and a first sealing flange extends downwardly from the
first base below the
first projection. A second closure element includes a second base, a second
interlocking
member that projects inwardly from an internal side of the second base in
opposing relation
to the first interlocking member, and a second sealing flange that extends
downwardly from
the second base. A slider is disposed over the first and second closure
elements for occluding
and deoccluding the first and second closure elements. The slider includes
first and second
sidewalls depending downwardly from a top wall and has a first shoulder
extending inwardly
from a distal end of the first sidewall and disposed below the first retention
member. A first
horizontal distance dl is the smallest horizontally measured distance between
the slider and
the first closure element and a second horizontal distance d2 is the smallest
horizontally
measured distance between the slider and the second closure element. A third
horizontal
distance d3 is a horizontally measured distance between the first projection
and the second
closure element and the sum of the distances d,, d2, and d3 equals a total non-
zero distance d,
that is less than a length that the first shoulder inwardly extends from the
first sidewall.
[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, a closure mechanism
includes a first
closure element having a first interlocking member that extends from an
interior side of a first
base thereof and a second closure element having a second interlocking member
that extends
from an interior side of a second base thereof and in an occluded state
releasably interlocks
with the first interlocking member. A first projection extends from the
interior side of the
first base spaced from the first interlocking member on a product side thereof
and a first
retention member extends directly opposite the first projection from an
exterior side of the
first base. A second retention member extends from an exterior side of the
second base. A
first sealing flange extends downwardly from the first base below the first
retention member
and a second sealing flange extends downwardly from the second base below the
second
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retention member. A slider is mounted over the first and second closure
elements. The slider
includes a first sidewall vertically depending from a top wall, the first
sidewall having a first
shoulder inwardly extending from a distal end thereof and horizontally past a
distal end of the
first retention member. The slider includes a second sidewall vertically
depending from the
top wall, the second sidewall having a second shoulder inwardly extending from
a distal end
thereof and horizontally past a distal end of the second retention member. The
first sidewall
and a portion of the first closure element are minimally horizontally
separated by a distance
d, and the slider and a portion of the second closure element are minimally
horizontally
separated by a distance d2. The distal end of the first projection and the
second closure
element are horizontally separated by a distance d3, and the sum of the
distances d,, d2, and d3
equals a total distance, dt, that is less than a length that a shorter of the
first and second
shoulders horizontally extends from the respective first and second sidewalls
to inhibit the
slider from disengaging from the first and second closure elements.
[0015] In a further aspect of the present invention, a closure mechanism
comprises a
first closure element including first and second hooked closure profiles
extending from an
internal side of a first base thereof. A first projection has an end portion
that extends from
the internal side of the first base and is spaced from the first and second
closure profiles on a
product side thereof. A first sealing flange downwardly extends from the first
base below the
first projection. A second closure element includes third and fourth hooked
closure profiles
that extend from an internal side of a second base thereof and in an occluded
state releasably
interlock with the first and second closure profiles, respectively. A second
projection has an
end portion that extends from the internal side of the second base and is
spaced from the third
and fourth closure profiles on a product side thereof and directly opposite
the first projection.
A second sealing flange downwardly extends from the second base below the
second
projection. A slider is disposed over the first and second bases. The slider
includes a first
side wall vertically depending from a top wall, the first side wall having a
first shoulder
extending from a distal end thereof. The slider includes a second side wall
vertically
depending from the top wall, the second side wall having a second shoulder
extending from a
distal end thereof. A first horizontal distance d, is the smallest
horizontally measured
distance between the slider and the first closure element and a second
horizontal distance d2
is the smallest horizontally measured distance between the slider and the
second closure
element. A third horizontal distance d3 is a horizontally measured distance
between the end
portions of the first and second projections, and the sum of the distances d,,
d2, and d3 equals
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a total non-zero distance d, that is less than a length that each of the first
and second shoulders
inwardly extends from the respective first and second sidewalls to prevent the
slider from
disengaging from the first and second closure elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a pouch having a slider actuated closure
mechanism;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of closure elements
of a
slider actuated closure mechanism, taken generally along the lines 2-2 of FIG.
1 with portions
behind the plane of the cross section omitted for clarity;
[0018] FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of closure
elements
of a slider actuated closure mechanism, taken generally along the lines 2A-2A
of FIG. I with
portions behind the plane of the cross section omitted for clarity;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a slider, taken
generally
along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1 with portions behind the plane of the cross
section omitted for
clarity;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the slider of FIG. 3 mounted on the
closure
elements of FIG. 2, taken generally along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 with
portions behind the
plane of the cross section omitted for clarity;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the slider of FIG. 3 mounted on
another
embodiment of closure elements of the slider actuated closure mechanism, taken
generally
along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 1 with portions behind the plane of the cross
section omitted for
clarity;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a slider
mounted on
yet another embodiment of closure elements of the slider actuated closure
mechanism, taken
generally along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 1 with portions behind the plane of the
cross section
omitted for clarity;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the slider of
FIG. 6
mounted on still another embodiment of closure elements of the slider actuated
closure
mechanism, taken generally along the lines 7-7 of FIG. 1 with portions behind
the plane of
the cross section omitted for clarity;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the slider of
FIG. 3
mounted on a further embodiment of closure elements of the slider actuated
closure
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mechanism, taken generally along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 1 with portions behind
the plane of
the cross section omitted for clarity;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the slider of
FIG. 3
mounted on a still further embodiment of closure elements of the slider
actuated closure
mechanism, taken generally along the lines 9-9 of FIG. 1 with portions behind
the plane of
the cross section omitted for clarity;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the slider of FIG. 3 mounted on
the closure
elements of FIG. 2, taken generally along the Iines 10-10 of FIG. 4 with
portions behind the
plane of the cross section omitted for clarity;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of closure
elements
of the slider actuated closure mechanism, taken generally along the lines I 1-
11 of FIG. 1 with
portions behind the plane of the cross section omitted for clarity;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the slider of FIG. 3 mounted on
the closure
elements of FIG. 11, taken generally along the lines 12-12 of FIG. 1 with
portions behind the
plane of the cross section omitted for clarity;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a top view of another embodiment of a slider;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the slider of FIG. 13, taken
generally along
the lines 14-14 of FIG. 13; and
[0031] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the slider of FIG. 13, taken
generally along
the lines 15-15 of FIG. 13.
[0032] Other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become
apparent
upon consideration of the following detailed description, wherein similar
structures have
similar reference numbers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The present disclosure is directed to a reclosable pouch having a
slider
actuated closer mechanism that includes features that assist in retaining the
slider on the
closure mechanism. While specific embodiments are discussed herein, it is
understood that
the present disclosure is to be considered only as an exemplification of the
principles of the
invention. For example, where the disclosure is illustrated herein with
particular reference to
two hooked closure profiles disposed on each of two closure elements, it will
be understood
that any number of hooked closure profiles, including one or more, can be used
if desired.
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Also, where the disclosure is illustrated herein with one interior projection
disposed on each
of two closure elements, it will be understood that any number of interior
projections may be
used on each of the closure elements, for example, one or more interior
projections disposed
on one or both of the closure elements, or only one interior projection
disposed on one of the
closure elements. Similarly, where the disclosure is illustrated herein with
one retention
member disposed on each of two closure elements, it will be understood that
the retention
member may be absent from one closure element or that multiple retention
members may be
disposed on one or both of the closure elements. Therefore, the present
disclosure is not
intended to limit the disclosure to the embodiments illustrated.
[0034] In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, a slider actuated
closure
mechanism includes a first closure element having one or more hooked elements,
for
example, first and second hooked closure profiles extending from an interior
side of a first
base thereof, and a second closure element having one or more hooked elements,
for
example, third and fourth hooked closure profiles that extend from an interior
side of a
second base thereof and in an occluded state releasably interlock with the
first and second
closure profiles, respectively. Illustratively, a first projection extends
from the interior side of
the first base and is spaced from the first and second closure profiles on a
product side
thereof. A first retention member extends directly opposite the first
projection from an
exterior side of the first base. A second projection extends from the interior
side of the
second base and is spaced from the third and fourth closure profiles on a
product side thereof
and directly opposite the first projection. A second retention member extends
directly
opposite the second projection from an exterior side of the second base. A
slider is mounted
over the first and second closure elements and includes a first sidewall
vertically depending
from a top wall, the first sidewall having a first shoulder inwardly extending
from a distal end
thereof and horizontally past a distal end of the first retention member. The
slider includes a
second sidewall vertically depending from the top wall, the second sidewall
having a second
shoulder inwardly extending from a distal end thereof and horizontally past a
distal end of the
second retention member. In an illustrative mounted state, the first sidewall
and a portion of
the first closure element are minimally horizontally separated by a distance
d,, the second
sidewall and a portion of the second closure element are minimally
horizontally separated by
a distance d2, the distal ends of the first and second projections are
horizontally separated by
a distance d3, and the sum of the distances d,, d2, and d3 equals a total
distance, d, that is less
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than a length that a shorter of the first and second shoulders horizontally
extends from the
respective first and second sidewalls to inhibit the slider from disengaging
from the first and
second closure elements.
[0035] FIG. I illustrates a reclosable pouch 50 having a first sidewall 52 and
a second
sidewall 54 that are connected by, for example, folding, heat sealing, and/or
an adhesive,
along three peripheral edges 56, 58, 60 to define an interior space 62 between
the first and
second sidewalls 52, 54 and an opening 64 along a top edge 66 where the first
and second
sidewalls 52, 54 are not connected so as to allow access to the interior space
62. A slider
actuated closure mechanism 68 is disposed along the first and second sidewalls
52, 54 near
the opening 64 and extends between the peripheral edge 56 and the peripheral
edge 60 of the
pouch 50 to allow the opening 64 to be repeatedly occluded and deoccluded,
thereby
respectively sealing and unsealing the opening 64. A slider 70 is straddlingly
disposed over
the slider actuated closure mechanism 68. Motion of the slider 70 in a first
direction, as
indicated by the arrow 72, occludes the closure mechanism 68, and motion of
the slider 70 in
a second direction, as indicated by the arrow 74, deoccludes the closure
mechanism 68.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 2, in a first embodiment the slider actuated closure
mechanism 68 includes a first closure element 76 that releasably interlocks
with an opposing
second closure element 78. Illustratively, each of the closure elements 76, 78
has a
substantially constant elongate cross-sectional profile that extends
longitudinally between the
peripheral edge 56 and the peripheral edge 60 of the pouch 50 to form a
continuous seal
therealong when fully interlocked with the opposing closure element. In one
embodiment,
the first closure element 76 is disposed on an interior surface 80 of the
first sidewall 52 and
the second closure element 78 is disposed along an interior surface 82 of the
second sidewall
54. In other embodiments, the first and second closure elements 76, 78 may be
attached to
exterior surfaces 84, 86 of the first and second sidewalls, 52, 54,
respectively, or one of the
first and second closure elements 76, 78 may be attached to one of the
interior surfaces 80, 82
of the respective first and second sidewalls 52, 54 and the other of the first
and second
closure elements 76, 78 may be attached to one of the exterior surfaces 84, 86
of the
respective first and second sidewalls 52, 54. In further embodiments (see FIG.
2A), one or
both of the first and second sidewalls 52, 54 may be integral with the
respective first and
second closure elements.
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[0037] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the first closure element 76 includes a
first base
88 and first and second closure profiles 90, 92 extending from the first base
88. Each of the
first and second closure profiles 90, 92 includes a hooked portion 94, 96
disposed at a
respective distal end 98, 100 thereof. The first base 88 includes a stiffening
member 102
extending therefrom above the first closure profile 90. The stiffening member
102 may be
configured, for example, to provide additional rigidity to the first base 88.
The first base 88
also includes an upward extension 104 disposed above the stiffening member
102. The
upward extension 104 may be configured, for example, to limit the vertical
range of motion
of the slider 70 when mounted on the first and second closure elements 76, 78.
[0038] A first interior projection 106 extends from an interior side 108 of
the first
base 88 and is disposed below the second closure profile 92. A first retention
member 110
extends from an exterior side 112 of the first base 88 and is disposed
directly opposite the
first interior projection 106. A first sealing flange 114 downwardly extends
from the first
base 88 below the first interior projection 106. The first closure element 76
may be attached
to the first sidewall 52, for example, by attaching an exterior surface 116 of
the first sealing
flange 114 to the interior surface 80 of the first sidewal152.
[0039] The second closure element 78 includes a second base 118 and third and
fourth closure profiles 120, 122 extending from the second base 118. Each of
the third and
fourth closure profiles 120, 122 includes a hooked portion 124, 126 disposed
at a respective
distal end 128, 130 thereof. The first and second closure profiles 90, 92
interlockingly
engage with the third and fourth closure profiles 120, 122, respectively, when
the first and
second closure elements 76, 78 are in an occluded state.
[0040] A second interior projection 132 extends from an interior side 134 of
the
second base 118 and is disposed below the fourth closure profile 122 and
directly opposite
the first interior projection 106. A second retention member 136 extends from
an exterior
side 138 of the second base 118 and is disposed directly opposite the second
interior
projection 132. A second sealing flange 140 downwardly extends from the second
base 118
below the second interior projection 132. The second closure element 78 may be
attached to
the second sidewall 54, for example, by attaching an exterior surface 142 of
the second
sealing flange 140 to the interior surface 82 of the second sidewall 54.
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[0041] FIG. 2A depicts another embodiment of a slider actuated closure
mechanism
168 that is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 except for the following
differences.
In this embodiment, the first closure element 76 is integral with the first
sidewall 52 and the
second closure element 78 is integral with the second sidewall 54. The first
sealing flange
114 in this embodiment may have a thickness that is the same as or different
than the
thickness of the first sidewall 52, and the second sealing flange 140 may have
a thickness that
is the same as or different than the thickness of the second sidewall 54.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, ends 144 (shown in FIG. 1) of the
slider
actuated closure mechanism 68 may be sealed at the peripheral edges 56 and 60
by, for
example, crushing and/or application of heat. However, in some instances (not
shown), when
the first interior projection 106 and the first sealing flange 114 are
respectively crushed
against the second interior projection 132 and the second sealing flange 140,
the bulk of the
material within the first and second interior projections 106, 132 may result
in incomplete
sealing of the ends 144 due to a gap (not shown) that remains uncrushed
between the first and
second sealing flanges 114, 140. To alleviate this incomplete crushing and
allow for less
crushing force to be applied to the first and second sealing flanges 114, 140,
an optional
material reservoir protrusion 146 (shown in FIG. 2) may be provided on one or
both interior
surfaces of the first and second sealing flanges 114, 140. For example, the
second closure
element 78 may include the material reservoir protrusion 146 on an interior
surface 148 of the
second sealing flange 140, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The material reservoir
protrusion 146
may also be provided as a downward extension of an interior projection, for
example, one or
both of the first and second interior projections 106, 132. The material
reservoir protrusion
146 provides, for example, extra sealing material to fill the uncrushed gap
that may form
beneath the first and second interior projections 106, 132 when the first and
second closure
elements 76, 78 are crushed to form a seal at the ends 144 of the slider
actuated closure
mechanism 68.
[0043] The material reservoir protrusion 146 may be made of a material that is
the
same as or different from the rest of the first and second closure elements
76, 78. For
example, the material reservoir protrusion 146 may be made of a material that
has a lower
melting temperature than the rest of the first and second closure elements 76,
78. A lower
melting temperature for the material reservoir protrusion 146 may further
facilitate filling of
the gap (not shown) that may remain uncrushed between the first and second
sealing flanges
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114, 140 and may further allow for less crushing force to be applied to the
first and second
sealing flanges 114, 140. Regardless of the material used, the material
reservoir protrusion
146 may be independently added to the rest of the first and second closure
elements 76, 78,
for example, by independent extrusion thereon, or may be integral with the
rest of the first
and second closure elements 76, 78, for example, by coextrusion therewith.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 3, the slider 70 includes a top wall 200 that has
a top
interior surface 201 from which vertically depend first and second sidewalls
202, 204. The
first sidewall 202 has a first shoulder 206 disposed at a distal end 208
thereof, and the second
sidewall 204 has a second shoulder 210 disposed at a distal end 212 thereof.
The first
shoulder 206 includes a first shoulder interior surface 207 and extends a
first shoulder
distance, ds1, measured from a first sidewall interior surface 214 to a distal
end 216 of the first
shoulder 206. The second shoulder 210 includes a second shoulder interior
surface 211 and
extends a second shoulder distance, ds2, measured from a second sidewall
interior surface 218
to a distal end 220 of the second shoulder 210. In this embodiment, dsI and
d,2 are non-zero
values.
[0045] Illustratively referring to FIG. 4, the slider 70 is straddlingly
disposed over the
first and second closure mechanisms 76, 78, where the first and second
shoulders 206, 210
are respectively engaged by the first and second retention members 110, 136.
In particular,
the distal end 216 of the first shoulder 206 extends inwardly and horizontally
past a distal end
222 of the first retention member 110, and the distal end 220 of the second
shoulder 210
extends inwardly and horizontally past a distal end 224 of the second
retention member 136.
When the slider 70 is mounted on the first and second closure elements 76, 78,
the slider 70
has a portion or an extension that is horizontally spaced a first minimum
horizontal distance,
dl, from the first closure element 76. As seen in FIG. 4, in this embodiment,
the first
minimum horizontal distance, d1, is determined to be the smallest horizontally
measured
distance between the slider 70 and the first closure element 76. In this case,
a horizontal
measurement, dIA, may be taken from the first sidewall interior surface 214 to
the distal end
222 of the first retention member 110. Another horizontal measurement, dIB,
may be taken
from the distal end 216 of the first shoulder 206 to the exterior surface 116
of the first sealing
flange 114. If the values of dIA and dIB are different, the smaller value is
the first minimum
horizontal distance, dl. Horizontal measurements (not shown) may also be taken
between
other portions of the slider 70 and the first closure element 76. If other
horizontal
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measurements are taken, the first minimum horizontal distance, d,, is the
smallest of all the
horizontal measurements that are taken between portions or extensions of the
first closure
element 76 and portions or extensions of the slider 70.
[0046] Similarly, the slider 70 has a portion or an extension that is
horizontally
spaced a second minimum horizontal distance, d2, from the second closure
element 78. A
horizontal measurement, d2A, may be taken from the second sidewall interior
surface 218 to
the distal end 224 of the second retention member 136. Another horizontal
measurement,
d2B; may be taken from the distal end 220 of the second shoulder 210 to the
exterior surface
142 of the second sealing flange 140. The second minimum horizontal distance,
d2, is the
smallest of all horizontal measurements, including, for example, d2A and d2B,
which may be
taken between portions or extensions of the second closure element 78 and
portions or
extensions of the slider 70.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 4, each of the first and second minimum horizontal
distances, d, and d2, illustratively have a non-zero magnitude to allow the
slider 70 to be
moved by a user across the slider actuated closure mechanism 68 without
requiring the
application of excessive force to the slider 70 to overcome static and/or
dynamic friction
between the slider 70 and the distal ends 222, 224 of the first and second
retention members
110, 136. Further, static and/or dynamic friction between the slider 70 and
the slider actuated
closure mechanism 68 can be reduced if desired, for example, by lowering the
coefficient of
friction of opposing surfaces of potential contact of one or both of the
slider 70 and the slider
actuated closure mechanism 68. For example, in one embodiment, a lubricant
such as a
silicone grease may be applied along an exterior surface of the slider
actuated closure
mechanism 68, for example, the distal ends 222, 224 of the first and second
retention
members, or to an interior surface of the slider 70, for example, the first
and second sidewall
interior surfaces, 214, 218. In another embodiment, a portion or portions of
the slider 70 may
be manufactured from a material that has a low coefficient of friction with
respect to the
material of the slider actuated closure mechanism 68 to act as a lubricant for
motion of the
slider over the slider actuated closure mechanism. Alternatively, a portion of
portions of the
slider actuated closure mechanism 68 may be manufactured from a material that
has a low
coefficient of friction with respect to the material of the slider 70, or a
portion or portions of
both of the slider 70 and the slider actuated closure mechanism 68 may be made
of materials
that have a low coefficient of friction with, regard to the opposing surfaces
of potential
CA 02663362 2009-04-20
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contact. Illustratively, one or more of the interior surfaces 201, 207, 211,
214, or 218 of the
slider 70, as shown in FIG. 3, may be manufactured of or may be coated with a
material that
has a low coefficient of friction, for example, a fluoropolymer material such
as
polytetrafluoroethylene, which is a TEFLON coating manufactured by DuPont and
is well
known for use as a lubricant to reduce friction between surfaces. In FIG. 3,
each of the
interior surfaces 201, 207, and 211 is illustrated as optionally including a
pad of material 215,
for example, polytetrafluoroethylene, that has a low coefficient of friction
with regard to the
opposing surfaces of potential contact attached thereto.
[0048] As best seen in FIG. 4, when the slider 70 is mounted on the first and
second
closure elements 76, 78, distal ends 226, 228 of the respective first and
second interior
projections 106, 132 are disposed directly opposite to one another.
Corresponding points of
potential contact on the first and second closure elements 76, 78 are
horizontally separated by
a third horizontal distance, d3. In this embodiment, the third horizontal
distance, d3, is
measured between the distal ends 226, 228 of the respective first and second
interior
projections 106, 132. The first and second minimum horizontal distances, dl
and d2, and the
third horizontal distance, d3, sum to a total distance, dt. When the slider 70
is mounted on the
first and second closure elements 76, 78, the total distance, dt, represents
the smallest total
distance between the slider 70 and each of the first and second closure
elements 76, 78.
[0049] An excessively large total distance, dt, may allow distal ends 222, 224
of one
or both of the respective first and second retention members 110, 136 to
inwardly displace
past the corresponding distal ends 216, 220 of the respective first and second
shoulders 206,
210. Such inward displacement of one or both of the first and second retention
members 110,
136 may allow the slider 70 to partially or completely disengage from the
slider actuated
closure mechanism 68. For example, if the total distance, dt, exceeds the
larger of the first
and second shoulder distances, d,1 and ds2, each of the first and second
shoulders 206, 210
may disengage from the respective first and second retention members 110, 136,
which may
result in complete disengagement of the slider 70 from the slider actuated
closure mechanism
68. In another example, if the total distance, dt, is less than the larger of
the first and second
shoulder distances, ds1 and ds2, but is greater than the shorter of the first
and second shoulder
distances, ds1 and ds2, the shorter of the first and second shoulders 206, 210
may disengage
from the respective first or second retention member 110, 136. The slider 70,
thus partially
disengaged from the slider actuated closure mechanism 68, may be sufficiently
upwardly
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displaced therefrom such that the slider 70 may not have the capacity to
facilitate occlusion
and/or deocclusion of the first and second closure elements 76, 78. In
addition, partial
disengagement of the slider 70 from the slider actuated closure mechanism 68
may result in
undesirable deformation of the first and second closure elements 76, 78 caused
by forced
motion of the slider in the first or second directions 72, 74. Ultimately,
such deformation of
the first and second closure elements 76, 78 may cause the slider actuated
closure mechanism
68 to become non-functional. However, if the total distance, dt, is less than
the smaller of ds,
and ds2, the slider 70 is inhibited from being disengaged from the slider
actuated closure
mechanism 68.
[0050] In the absence of any deformation of the slider 70 from a nominal
shape, for
example as shown in FIG. 4, each of the distances, d,, d2, and d3, may vary
due to freedom of
the first and second closure elements 76, 78 to laterally move within the
slider 70. However,
despite variances in the distances, dl, d2, and d3, in the absence of
deformation of the slider
70, the total distance, dt, remains fixed. In a dynamic configuration, such as
when the slider
70 is grasped by a user and moved along the first and second closure elements
76, 78, the first
and second slider sidewalls 202, 204 may be inwardly deformed by the user.
Such inward
deformation of the sidewalls 202, 204 decreases the total distance, dt, by
decreasing one or
more of the distances, dl, d2, and d3. Therefore, inward deformation of the
sidewalls 202, 204
due to user applied pressure thereto further inhibits the slider 70 from
easily being disengaged
from the first and second closure elements 76, 78.
[0051] Each of the first and second interior projections 106, 132 and each of
the first
and second retention members 110, 136 may be made of a material that is the
same as or
different from the rest of the first and second closure elements 76, 78. For
example, the first
and second interior projections 106, 132 may be made of a material that has a
lower melting
temperature than the rest of the first and second closure elements 76, 78. A
lower melting
temperature for the first and second interior projections 106, 132 may further
facilitate filling
of the gap (not shown) that may remain uncrushed between the first and second
sealing
flanges 114, 140 and may further allow for less crushing force to be applied
to the first and
second sealing flanges 114, 140. As another example, each of the first and
second interior
projections 106, 132 and the first and second retention members 110, 136 may
be made of a
material that is stronger, more rigid, or that may have other desirable
enhanced physical
characteristics in comparison to the rest of the first and second closure
elements 76, 78.
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Illustratively, use of a material for the first and second interior
projections 106, 132 and first
and second retention members 110, 136 that is stronger than the rest of the
first and second
closure elements 76, 78 may further inhibit disengagement of the slider 70
from the first and
second closure elements 76, 78. Regardless of the material used, the first and
second interior
projections 106, 132 and first and second retention members 110, 136 may be
independently
added to the rest of the first and second closure elements 76, 78, for
example, by independent
extrusion thereon, or may be integral with the rest of the first and second
closure elements 76,
78, for example, by coextrusion therewith.
[0052] In determining the total distance, d,, other considerations such as the
ease of
placing the slider 70 on the first and second closure elements 76, 78 during
the manufacture
thereof, or the ease of moving the slider along the first and second closure
elements, may also
influence the desired distances dl, d2, d3, d,1, and d,2, including one or
more of these distances
having or approaching a zero or negative value. For example, other embodiments
may lack
components shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4 but may still achieve the desired
effect of
retaining the slider 70 on the first and second closure elements 76, 78.
Illustratively, an
embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 except
for the
following differences. A slider actuated closure mechanism 268 includes a
first closure
element 276, but an interior projection is absent. However, in this
embodiment, a second
closure element 178 includes an interior projection 280 that has been extended
to compensate
for the lack of an interior projection disposed on the first closure element
276. The material
reservoir protrusion 146 downwardly extends from a bottom surface of the
interior projection
280. In this embodiment, the third horizontal distance, d3, is measured
between the distal end
282 of the interior projection 280 and the interior side 108 of the first base
88. Similar to the
embodiment of FIG. 4, in this embodiment the distances, d1, d2, and d3, sum to
a total
distance, dt, which is less than the smaller of the first and second shoulder
distances, ds1 and
d,2=
[0053] Another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 includes a slider actuated
closure
mechanism 368 having a slider 370 mounted thereover. This embodiment is
similar to the
embodiment shown in FIG. 4 except for the following differences. A first
closure element
376 lacks a retention member, but a second closure element 278 includes the
retention
member 136. The material reservoir protrusion 146 extends from a bottom
surface of the
second interior projection 132. The slider 370 has a first sidewall 202 that
lacks a shoulder
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on the distal end 208 thereof. In this embodiment, the first minimum
horizontal distance, di,
is the smallest of all possible horizontal measurements taken between the
first sidewall
interior surface 214 and the exterior side 112 of the first base 88. The
second minimum
horizontal distance, d2, is the smaller of the horizontal measurements, d2A
and d2B, as shown
in FIG. 6, and the distances, d,, d2, and d3, sum to a total distance, dt,
which, in this
embodiment, is less than the second shoulder distance, d,2-
[0054] A further embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 includes the slider 370
mounted
over a slider actuated closure mechanism 468. This embodiment is similar to
the
embodiment shown in FIG. 6 except for the following differences. The slider
actuated
closure mechanism 468 includes a first closure element 476 that does not
include an interior
projection or a retention member. However, a second closure element 378
includes the
interior projection 280 that has been extended to compensate for the lack of
an interior
projection disposed on the first closure element 476. In this embodiment, the
third horizontal
distance, d3, is measured between the distal end 282 of the interior
projection 280 and the
interior side 108 of the first base 88. The distances, dl, d2, and d3, sum to
a total distance, dt,
which has a value less than the second shoulder distance, ds2, to facilitate
retention of the
slider 370 on the slider actuated closure mechanism 468.
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 8, another embodiment includes a slider actuated
closure
mechanism 568 that includes first and second closure elements 576, 578. This
embodiment is
similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 except for the following
differences. First
interior projection 580 extends from the interior side 108 of the first base
88 below the
second closure profile 92 and terminates at distal end 584. Second interior
projection 596
extends from the interior side 134 of the second base 118 and terminates at
distal end 600.
When the slider 70 is mounted on the closure mechanism 568, as shown in FIG.
8, the distal
ends 584, 600 of the respective first and second interior projections 580, 596
are disposed
directly opposite each other.
[0056] First retention member 590 extends from the exterior side 112 of the
first base
88 and is offset from the first interior projection 580. The first retention
member 590
terminates at distal end 594. Second retention member 606 extends from the
exterior side
138 of the second base 118 and is offset from the second interior projection
596. The second
retention member 606 terminates at distal end 610.
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[0057] In this embodiment, the horizontal distance, dl, is the smaller of the
horizontal
measurements, d1A and d1B, as shown in FIG. 8, where the horizontal
measurement, d1A, may
be taken between the distal surface 594 of the first retention member 590 and
the first
sidewall interior surface 214, and the horizontal measurement, d1B, may be
taken between the
distal surface 216 of the first shoulder 206 and the exterior surface 116 of
the first sealing
flange 114. Similarly, the second minimum horizontal distance, d2, is the
smaller of the
horizontal measurements, d2A and d2B, as shown in FIG. 8, where the horizontal
measurement, d2A, may be taken between the distal surface 610 of the second
retention
member 606 and the second sidewall interior surface 218, and the horizontal
measurement,
d2B, may be taken between the distal surface 220 of the second shoulder 210
and the exterior
surface 142 of the second sealing flange 140. Corresponding points of
potential contact on
the first and second closure elements 576, 578 are horizontally separated by
the third
horizontal distance, d3. In this embodiment, the third horizontal distance,
d3, is measured
between the distal ends 584, 600 of the respective first and second interior
projections 580,
596. The distances, dl, d2, and d3, sum to a total distance, d1.
[0058] In this embodiment, each of the first and second closure elements 576,
578
may be configured to be substantially inflexible in first and second regions
612, 614, as
shown in FIG. 8. The first region 612 is a region of the first base 88
disposed between the
first retention member 590 and the first interior projection 580, and the
second region 614 is a
region of the second base 118 disposed between the second retention member 606
and the
second interior projection 596. For example, the first and second bases 88,
118 may be made
of a substantially inflexible material as known to those of skill in the art
and/or be made
sufficiently thick in each of the regions 612, 614 to render the regions
substantially inflexible
in response to typical forces applied to the regions during normal use, but
still allowing a
slider, for example the slider 70, to be installed over the slider actuated
closure mechanism
568 during manufacture of the pouch 50. Illustratively, it is contemplated
that the slider
actuated closure mechanism 568 may be applied to the pouch 50, which may
include a valve
(not shown) through which a vacuum may drawn to evacuate the interior space 62
of the
pouch 50. A vacuum drawn on the interior space 62 of the pouch 50 may cause
inward
forces on the exterior surfaces 116, 142 of the respective first and second
sealing flanges 114,
140. As the first and second bases 88, 118 of the respective first and second
closure elements
in this embodiment are substantially inflexible during normal use in the
respective first and
CA 02663362 2009-04-20
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second regions, 612, 614, the first and second retention members 590, 606 are
inhibited from
inwardly cantilevering about the respective first and second interior
projections 580, 596 in
response to such inward forces. In this embodiment, the slider 70 is inhibited
from being
easily removed from the slider actuated closure mechanism 568 if the smaller
of the first and
second shoulder distances, d,1 and ds2, has a length greater than the total
distance, d,
Similarly, in an embodiment not shown, the first and second interior
projections 580, 596
may each be located below the first and second retention members 590, 606,
which may also
allow for elimination of the material reservoir protrusion 146. In this
embodiment, when the
interior space 62 of the pouch 50 is placed under vacuum, internal forces
acting on the first
and second sealing flanges 114, 140 are countered by contact of the first and
second interior
projections 580, 596, to inhibit the first and second sealing flanges from
coming together,
which may reduce the of inward flexing of the first and second closure
elements 576, 578
during use.
[0059] In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a slider actuated closure
mechanism 668 includes first and second closure elements 676, 678. This
embodiment is
similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 except for the following
differences. In this
embodiment, the first closure element 676 includes a first base 680 that
increases in cross
sectional thickness from a thinner top end 682 to a thicker bottom end 684. A
first retention
member 686 is integral with the thicker bottom end 684 of the first base 680
and achieves
maximum extension at a first distal end 688. Similarly, the second closure
element 678
includes a second base 690 that increases in cross sectional thickness from a
thinner top end
692 to a thicker bottom end 694. A second retention member 696 is integral
with the thicker
bottom end 694 of the second base 690 and achieves maximum extension at a
second distal
end 698.
[0060] In this embodiment, and due to the shape of the first base 680 shown in
FIG.
9, a horizontal measurement, d1A, may be taken between the distal end 688 of
the first
retention member 686 and the first sidewall interior surface 214. A horizontal
measurement,
d1B, may be taken between the distal surface 216 of the first shoulder 206 and
the exterior
surface 116 of the first sealing flange 114. The first minimum horizontal
distance, d1, is the
smaller of the horizontal measurements, d1A and d1B. Similarly, the second
minimum
horizontal distance, d2, is the smaller of horizontal measurements, d2A and
d2B, as illustrated
in FIG. 9. The horizontal measurement, d2A, may be taken from the second
sidewall interior
CA 02663362 2009-04-20
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surface 218 to the distal end 698 of the second retention member 696, and the
horizontal
measurement, d2B, may be taken from the distal surface 220 of the second
shoulder 210 and
the exterior surface 142 of the second sealing flange 140. The third
horizontal distance, d3, is
measured between the distal ends 226, 228 of the respective first and second
interior
projections 106, 132. In this embodiment, the total distance, dt, which is the
sum of the
distances, d1, d2, and d3, has a value that is less than or about equal to the
smaller of the first
and second shoulder distances, ds1 and d,2-
[0061] FIG. 10 illustrates internal structure of a slider mounted on a slider
actuated
closure mechanism, for example, the slider 70 mounted on the slider actuated
closure
mechanism 68, as shown in FIG. 4. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 10, a
separation finger
700, shown in cross section in FIG. 10, vertically depends from the top wall
200 of the slider
70 between the first and second sidewalls 202, 204 and proximate a first end
702 of the slider
70. First and second occlusion walls 704, 706 are disposed proximate a second
end 708 of
the slider 70 and respectively extend from the first and second sidewalls 202,
204.
[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 10, the cross sectional view in FIG. 10 is
taken
at a cross section between the first and fourth closure profiles 90, 122. FIG.
10 depicts a
portion of the separation finger 700 that extends between the first and second
closure
elements 76, 78, and below the first closure profile 90, to deocclude at least
the first and third
closure profiles 90, 120. If the slider 70 was partially disengaged from the
slider actuated
closure mechanism 68, such as in a case described above where the total
distance, d,, is
greater than the shorter of the first and second shoulders 206, 210, but less
than the longer of
the first and second shoulders 206, 210, the separation finger 700 may be
upwardly displaced,
and may not reach between the first and third closure profiles 90, 120 to
facilitate deocclusion
thereof. In FIG. 10, the first and second closure elements 76 and 78 are
deoccluded at the
first end 702 of the slider 70 and are occluded at the second end 708 of the
slider 70.
[0063] The first and second interior projections 106, 132 may be generally
rectangular, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. However, it is also contemplated that
the first and
second interior projections 106, 132 may have any shape as desired or as may
aid in the
manufacture and/or utility thereof, for example, circular, elliptical, or
wedge shaped. For
example, another embodiment of a slider actuated closure mechanism 768, having
first and
second closure elements 776, 778, respectively including wedge shaped first
and second
interior projections 780, 782, is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. In this
embodiment, the third
CA 02663362 2009-04-20
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horizontal distance, d3, is the smallest distance measured along a horizontal
line, for example,
the line 788, as shown in FIG. 12, between corresponding points of potential
contact on the
distal ends 784, 786 with the slider 70 mounted on the slider actuated closure
mechanism
768. To inhibit disengagement of the slider 70 from the slider actuated closer
mechanism
768 in this embodiment, the shorter of the first and second shoulder
distances, ds1 and d,2, has
a value greater than or about equal to the total distance, dt, which is the
sum of the first and
second minimum horizontal distances, dl and d2, and the third horizontal
distance, d3.
[0064] FIGS. 13-15 illustrate another embodiment of a slider 870 that may be
used
with a slider actuated closure mechanism, for example, the slider actuated
closure mechanism
68 shown in FIG. 4. The slider 870 may have a centrally disposed top wall 872
and a slightly
hourglass external shape that may assist a user in gripping the slider 870.
FIG. 13 illustrates
that each of the first and second sidewalls 874, 876 extends beyond the top
wall 872 toward a
first end 878 and a second end 880 of the slider 870. As can be seen in FIGS.
14 and 15, first
and second sidewalls 874, 876 vertically depend from a top interior surface
873 of the top
wall 872. A first shoulder 882 is disposed at a distal end 884 of the first
sidewall 874
proximate the first end 878 of the slider 870, and a second shoulder 883 is
disposed at the
distal end 884 of the first sidewall 874 proximate the second end 880. The
first shoulder 882
includes a first shoulder interior surface 903 and the second shoulder 883
includes a second
shoulder interior surface 905. Similarly, a third shoulder 886 is disposed at
a distal end 888
of the second sidewall 876 proximate the first end 878 of the slider 870, and
a fourth shoulder
887 is disposed at the distal end 888 of the second sidewall 876 proximate the
second end
880. The third shoulder 886 includes a third shoulder interior surface 907 and
the fourth
shoulder 887 includes a fourth shoulder interior surface 909.
[0065] Although exterior surfaces 890, 892 of the respective first and second
sidewalls 874, 876 of the slider 870 may have an hourglass shape, in this
embodiment first
and second interior surfaces 894, 896 of the respective first and second
sidewalls 874, 876 as
illustrated in FIG. 13 are substantially flat. The first shoulder 882 extends
a first shoulder
distance, d,,, measured from the first sidewall interior surface 894 to a
distal end 898 of the
first shoulder 882. The second shoulder 883 extends a second shoulder
distance, ds2,
measured from the first sidewall interior surface 894 to a distal end 899 of
the second
shoulder 883. The third shoulder 886 extends a third shoulder distance, ds3,
measured from
the second sidewall interior surface 896 to a distal end 900 of the third
shoulder 886. The
CA 02663362 2009-04-20
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fourth shoulder 887 extends a fourth shoulder distance, ds4, measured from the
second
sidewall interior surface 896 to a distal end 901 of the fourth shoulder 887.
FIG. 13
illustrates an embodiment in which the first and third shoulder distances, ds1
and ds3, are
respectively equal in value to the second and fourth shoulder distances, ds2
and d,4-
[0066] In other embodiments not shown, the first and second shoulder
distances, ds1
and ds2, may not be of equal lengths, the third and fourth shoulder distances,
ds3 and ds4, may
not be of equal lengths, and/or the first and second sidewall interior
surfaces 894, 896 may
not be substantially flat. In these embodiments, the smallest total distance,
d,, between the
slider 70 and each of first and second closure elements, for example the first
and second
closure elements 76, 78 shown in FIG. 4, is similarly determined as described
hereinabove by
determining the corresponding values for each of the distances, dl, d2, and
d3. For example,
where the first and second sidewall interior surfaces 894, 896 are concave
between the first
and second ends 878, 880 of the slider 870, the smallest total distance, d,,
may be determined
at both of the first and second ends 878, 880. However, the smallest total
distance, d, thus
determined, may or may not have the same value at each of the first and second
ends 878,
880, because of the concave geometry of the first and second sidewall interior
surfaces 894,
896, and further because each of the first, second, third, and fourth shoulder
lengths d,,, ds2,
ds3, and ds4 may have different values. For example, at the first end 878, the
value of the
smallest total distance, d,, may be less than the smaller of the corresponding
first and third
shoulder distances, ds1 and ds3, while at the second end 880, the value of the
smallest total
distance, dt, may be less than the smaller of the corresponding second and
fourth shoulder
distances, ds2 and d,4-
[0067] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 14, a separation finger 902 may downwardly
extend to a sufficient length when mounted on a slider actuated closure
mechanism, for
example the slider actuated closure mechanism 68, to separate one or more
pairs of
corresponding interlocked closure profiles, for example, the first and second
closure profiles
90, 92 from respective interlocking engagement with the third and fourth
closure profiles
120, 122. Illustratively, the separation finger 902 may downwardly extend to
just beyond the
first closure mechanism 90 that is shown in FIGS. 4-9 and 12. As best seen in
FIG. 15, first
and second occlusion walls 904, 906 may have any desired vertical extent
between the top
wall 872 and an interior of the slider 870 that leaves enough clearance to
accommodate the
CA 02663362 2009-04-20
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vertical extent of retention members, for example, the respective first and
second retention
members 110, 136 shown in FIG. 4.
[0068] In the manufacture of a pouch described herein, for example, in the
embodiment of the pouch 50 shown in FIG. 1, the first and second pouch walls
52, 54 may be
extruded as a single flat sheet that is folded over onto itself to form the
bottom peripheral
edge 58 for the pouch 50. The first and second closure elements, for example,
76, and 78
may each extruded as a tape, independently from the first and second pouch
walls 52, 54.
The first and second flanges 114, 140 may be sealed to the interior surfaces
80, 82 of the
respective first and second pouch walls 52, 54 by a heat seal or application
of a thermoplastic
weld layer, or by some other method as may be known to a person of skill in
the art. A slider
as herein described, for example the slider 870 as shown in FIG. 13, may be
injection molded
as a single piece or molded or extruded as several pieces that are then
affixed to one another
by a method as may be known to a person of skill in the art. For example, in
one
embodiment, one or more of the interior surfaces 873, 894, 896, 903, 905, 907,
and 909 may
be manufactured of or may be coated with a material that has a low coefficient
of friction to
act as a lubricant, for example, a fluoropolymer material such as
polytetrafluoroethylene,
which is a TEFLON coating. Each of the interior surfaces 873, 903, 905, 907,
and 909 is
illustrated in FIGS. 14 and/or 15 as optionally including a pad of material
915, for example,
polytetrafluoroethylene, that has a low coefficient of friction with regard to
the opposing
surfaces of potential contact attached thereto.
[0069] Various details shown in FIGS. 1-15 may be modified as will be apparent
to
those of skill in the art without departing from the disclosed principles.
Other methods and
materials suitable for forming structures of the present invention may also be
utilized.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0070] A slider actuated closure mechanism that may be used on reclosable
flexible
pouches has been presented. A slider is retained on the slider actuated
closure mechanism
such that it slides easily without requiring excessive application of force,
but is also resistant
to being transversely pulled off of the closure mechanism.
[0071] Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to
those
skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this
description is to be
construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling
those skilled in the
CA 02663362 2011-05-31
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art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out
same. The
exclusive right to all modifications within the scope of the impending claims
is expressly
reserved.
