Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE
TACTILE ENHANCEMENT MECHANISM FOR A CLOSURE MECHANISM
[0001] Blank
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the invention
[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to tactile
enhancement mechanisms for
closure mechanisms of resealable pouches.
[0004] Description of the Background of the Invention
[0005] Resealable pouches in the form of thermoplastic bags with
elongate closure
mechanisms have been developed of a type that includes one or more sets of
closure
mechanisms, such as interlocking closure profiles, for maintaining the pouch
in a sealed
condition. In some pouches, these closure profiles may be difficult for a user
to locate and/or
operate such that the pouch cannot be occluded properly because the user is
unable to visually
see the closure profiles and/or is unable to easily feel the location of the
closure profiles. In such
cases, incomplete occlusion does not allow the pouch to be sealed properly and
the contents of
the pouch may escape or spoil.
[0006] Various attempts have been made to help users locate and
properly occlude closure
profiles. For example, one design provides a reclosable bag having front and
rear walls and a
single pair of mutually interlocking opposing rib and groove closure elements
disposed across a
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mouth of the bag. Outer surfaces of the walls are roughened coextensive with
and over the rib
and groove elements by a series of vertical ridges with vertical valleys
therebetween to facilitate
a user's application of tangential force to open the closure elements.
[0007] Another design provides a reclosable bag having alignment ribs
disposed on opposite
sides of a male interlocking profile on an interior side of a first bag wall.
Outer ridge beams
coextensive with a central stabilizing ridge are extruded on the first bag
wall exterior surface
opposite the alignment ribs and the male interlocking profile, respectively.
[0008] A further design provides a reclosable bag having front and rear
walls and nested
inner and outer closure mechanisms disposed on interior surfaces of the walls.
A pair of parallel
spaced apart ribs is disposed on an external surface of the front wall and is
aligned with legs of
an outer female interlocking member. Another pair of parallel ribs is disposed
on an external
surface of the rear wall spaced on opposite sides of an inner female
interlocking member.
[0009] Yet another design provides a reclosable bag having opposing walls
and a single pair
of mutually interlocking opposing rib and groove closure elements disposed
across an interior of
a mouth of the bag. Backing areas made of material that is dissimilar to the
closure elements are
provided on the bag walls in alignment with the closure elements on exterior
surfaces of the
opposing bag walls or between the closure elements and the bag walls. The
dissimilar material
of the backing areas provides a noticeable tactile feel for a user in regard
to other areas of the bag
in order to help the user feel the location of the closure elements.
[0010] Many designs found in the art include a guiding mechanism disposed
directly
opposite the closure profile such that a ridge is located on a back side of
the closure profile and a
user is able to position his or her fingers on the ridge to help guide
occlusion. A problem with
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such designs however is that a user's finger may slide off of the ridge of
material, which may
cause uneven or incomplete occlusion along an entire length of the opening
into the bag, thereby
forming an incomplete seal across the opening.
[0011] To further improve upon a user's ability to open and close such
resealable pouches,
several mechanisms have also been developed to effectively grip the panels at
the opening of the
pouches and/or near the closure profile. For example, U.S. Patent No.
7,651,271 to Withers
discloses a reclosable bag with closure means consisting of a rib that engages
a groove to
selectively seal the bag. Shallow ribs are formed by extrusion on the internal
surfaces to allow
secure gripping of the bag panels. Two parallel spaced pairs of strengthening
ribs are also
extruded along both sides of the closure means to bear some of the forces
applied to the sealing
means to minimize breaking of the bag.
[0012] U.S. Patent No. 5,209,574 to Tilman discloses a reclosable bag with
male and female
profiles on internal surfaces of the bag walls to create a zipper. Pairs of
ribs are on each side of
the profiles, respectively. The rib pairs form valleys that are sized and
shaped to act as finger
guides. A plurality of gripping ribs 36, 38 are formed on external surfaces of
the walls. The ribs
are offset with respect to each other and angled towards the profiles.
[0013] U.S. Patent No. 5,839,831 to Ma77occhi discloses a flexible bag with
gripper ridges.
Each gripper ridge has opposing first and second walls that are normal to the
bag wall. The first
wall is longer than the second wall such that the end surface extending
therebetween is angled
and forms a gripping end or point.
SUMMARY
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[0014] Despite the advancements above, a need exists for an improved
tactile enhancement
mechanism that aids in opening and closing the pouch to more easily store and
remove items.
The subject technology also provides an improved tactile enhancement mechanism
that is easier
to manufacture.
[0015] According to the present invention there is a provided a reclosable
pouch having a
first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall and sealed
thereto to form a closed
distal portion defining an interior that is accessible by a proximal opening.
A closure profile is
provided along an interior surface of the opposing sidewalls for selectively
sealing the proximal
opening, the closure profile substantially extending a length of the proximal
opening. First,
second and third ridges are disposed on an interior surface of the first
sidewall between the
closure profile and the proximal opening. First, second, third and fourth
ridges are disposed on
an interior surface of the second sidewall between the closure profiled and
the proximal opening,
wherein the first and second ridges on the second sidewall oppose and are
equally spaced with
the second and third opposing ridges on the first sidewall. A fourth ridge on
the first sidewall is
most proximally located and a fifth ridge on the second sidewall is a most
proximally located
ridge. A spacing between the first and second ridges on the first sidewall is
at least 10% less
than a spacing between the second and third ridges on the first sidewall. A
spacing between the
third and fourth ridges on the first sidewall is at least 75% more than a
spacing between the
second and third ridges on the first sidewall. A spacing between the second
and third ridges on
the second sidewall is at least 25% more than a spacing between the first and
second ridges on
the second sidewall. A spacing between the third and fourth ridges on the
second sidewall is at
least 100% more than a spacing between the first and second ridges on the
second sidewall. A
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spacing between the fourth and fifth ridges on the second sidewall is
approximately equal to the
spacing between the second and third ridges on the second sidewall.
[0016]
Another aspect of the disclosure includes a tactile enhancement mechanism for
a
closure mechanism on a pouch, wherein the closure mechanism includes an
elongate closure
strip disposed on an interior surface of a sidewall of the pouch and extends
from one end of a
mouth into the pouch to another end of the mouth for closing the mouth. The
tactile
enhancement mechanism includes a first strip of material secured to the
exterior surface of the
sidewall below the closure strip and a second strip of material secured to the
exterior surface of
the sidewall above the closure profile. The first and second strips of
material extend to opposite
ends of the closure strip, and the first strip of material has a textured
exposed surface. A smooth
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=
region on the exterior surface of the sidewall is coextensive with the closure
strip between the
first and second strips of material.
[0017] Further disclosed is a reclosable pouch which includes first
and second
opposing pouch walls defining an interior therebetween and an opening into the
interior, an
elongate resealable closure profile that extends longitudinally between
opposite ends of the
opening and includes a first closure member disposed on an interior surface of
the first pouch
wall, and first and second strips of material attached to an exterior surface
of the first pouch wall.
Each of the first and second strips of material is substantially parallel and
immediately adjacent
to the closure mechanism and includes a tactile pattern that forms a textured
exterior surface. A
region of the exterior surface that is disposed between the first and second
regions and directly
opposite the closure member is smooth.
[0018] In one embodiment, the subject technology is directed to a
pouch including opposing
sidewalls sealed together in a closed distal portion to form an interior that
is accessible by a
proximal opening. A closure profile extends along an interior surface of the
opposing sidewalls
for selectively sealing the proximal opening, wherein the closure profile
substantially extends a
length of the proximal opening. A plurality of tactile strips are disposed on
an interior surface of
at least one of the opposing sidewalls between the closure profile and the
proximal opening, the
tactile strips being variably spaced. Preferably, each tactile strip has a
well-formed triangular
cross-sectional shape with a height from the respective sidewall approximately
double a
thickness of the respective sidewall.
[0019] In another embodiment, the subject technology is directed to a method
of forming tactile
strips on a pouch including opposing sidewalls sealed together to form an
interior that is
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accessible by an opening, and a closure strip along an interior surface of the
opposing sidewalls
for selectively sealing the opening. The method includes the steps of
extruding a plurality of
tactile strips in a die separately from forming the opposing sidewalls,
applying the plurality of
tactile strips on an exterior surface of at least one of the opposing
sidewalls, the tactile strips
being variably spaced between the closure strip and the opening, and forming
the pouch.
[0020] Still another embodiment of the subject technology is a reclosable
pouch including a first
sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall and sealed thereto to
form a closed distal
portion defining an interior that is accessible by a proximal opening. A
closure profile extends
along an interior surface of the opposing sidewalls for selectively sealing
the proximal opening,
wherein the closure profile substantially extends a length of the proximal
opening. Three ridges
are disposed on an interior surface of the first sidewall between the closure
profile and the
proximal opening, the three ridges being equally spaced apart. Four ridges are
disposed on an
interior surface of the second sidewall between the closure profile and the
proximal opening, the
four ridges being equally spaced apart, wherein two of the ridges on the
second sidewall oppose
and are equally spaced with respect to the opposing ridges on the first
sidewall. The reclosable
pouch may further include a fourth ridge on the first sidewall, the fourth
ridge being a most
proximally located ridge and at least 10% larger than each of the other ridges
on the first
sidewall as well as a fifth ridge on the second sidewall, the fifth ridge
being a most proximally
located ridge and at least 10% larger than each of the other ridges on the
second sidewall.
[0021]
It should be appreciated that the present technology can be implemented and
utilized in
numerous ways, including without limitation as a process, an apparatus, a
system, a device, a
method for applications now known and later developed. These and other unique
features of
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the technology disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the
following
description and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a pouch having a tactile enhancement
mechanism of
the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary closure mechanism
usable with the
tactile enhancement mechanism, taken generally along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1,
with portions
behind the plane of the cross section omitted for clarity;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a different exemplary closure
mechanism with the
tactile enhancement mechanism, taken generally along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1,
with the closure
mechanism closed and portions behind the plane of the cross section omitted
for clarity;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary closure
mechanism with the
tactile enhancement mechanism, taken generally along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1
with the closure
mechanism closed and portions behind the plane of the cross section omitted
for clarity;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary isometric view of a pouch with another
variation of the tactile
enhancement mechanism;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of another exemplary
closure mechanism with
a tactile enhancement mechanism in accordance with the subject technology;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another exemplary
closure mechanism
with a tactile enhancement mechanism in accordance with the subject
technology;
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[0029] FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the area
surrounded by circle 8 of
FIG. 7; and
[0030] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of yet another exemplary
closure mechanism
with a tactile enhancement mechanism in accordance with the subject
technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The present disclosure overcomes many of the prior art problems
associated with
utilizing storage bags and, specifically, tactile enhancement mechanisms for
the same. The
advantages and other features of the technology disclosed herein, will become
more readily
apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed
description of certain
preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forth
representative
embodiments of the present invention and wherein like reference numerals
identify similar
structural elements. Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated embodiments
can be understood
as providing exemplary features of varying detail of certain embodiments, and
therefore, unless
otherwise specified, features, components, modules, elements, and/or aspects
of the illustrations
can be otherwise modified, combined, interconnected, sequenced, separated,
interchanged,
positioned, and/or rearranged without materially departing from the disclosed
systems or
methods. It is also noted that the accompanying drawings are somewhat
idealized in that, for
example without limitation, features are shown as substantially smooth and
uniform when in
practice, manufacturing variances and abnormalities would occur as is known to
those of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0032] In FIG. 1, a reclosable pouch 50 has a tactile enhancement mechanism
of the present
invention that includes at least one additional layer of material added to the
exterior surface of
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the pouch and acts to enhance the tactile sensation to a user's fingers and
acts as a guiding
mechanism such that a user can properly position his/her fingers for
occlusion. The pouch 50
has a first sidewall 52 and a second sidewall 54 that are connected by, for
example, folding, heat
sealing, and/or an adhesive, along three edges 56, 58, 60 to define an
interior space 62 between
the first and second sidewalls 52, 54. An opening 64 defining a mouth that
allows access into the
interior space 62 is located along a top edge 66 where the first and second
pouch sidewalls 52, 54
are not connected. The first and second sidewalls 52, 54 are preferably made
of thermoplastic,
such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and blends of such constituents, may
include other
additives as desired, and may be extruded and formed in any suitable manner
known in the art.
The sidewalls 52, 54 may be made of and/or include other flexible materials,
such as paper, foil,
and/or cloth.
[0033]
A closure mechanism 68 extends longitudinally adjacent the top edge 66 and
includes
a first elongate closure strip 70 and a second elongate closure strip 72 that
can be sealed together
along the length of the opening 64 to close the mouth. The first closure strip
70 is disposed
along an inside surface of the first sidewall 52 near the opening 64 and
extends to the side edges
56, 60 of the pouch 50, and the second closure strip 72 is disposed along an
inside surface of the
second sidewall 54 near the opening 64 and also extends between side edges 56,
60 of the pouch
50. The closure strips 70, 72, are substantially aligned opposite each other
such that the opening
64 may be repeatedly opened and/or closed, preferably thereby respectively
sealing and
unsealing same. The closure mechanism 68 and the closure strips 70 and 72
thereof may take
many different forms suitable for closing the opening 62, some of which are
exemplified herein,
and the invention is not necessarily limited to any particular form of the
embodiments illustrated.
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Preferably, the closure mechanism 68 is a "pinch and seal" type interlocking
"zipper" closure,
wherein each of the first and second closure strips 70, 72 has one or more
mutually interlocking
elongate profiles, and wherein each profile has a substantially constant cross-
section that extends
completely between side edges 56, 60 of the pouch 50. The closure mechanism 68
may include
mutually interlocking profiles of various different designs, such as male and
female closure
profiles, hook profiles, rib and groove profiles, etc.; however, other types,
sizes, and shapes of
closure mechanisms sufficient to close the mouth of a bag may be used, such as
adhesive
closures and/or hook-and-loop type closures. Still further, the closure
mechanism 68 may be
attached to the pouch 50 in any manner suitable to effectuate closing of the
mouth. Illustratively,
the closure strips 70, 72 may be formed integrally with the sidewalls 52, 54,
may be formed
separately and subsequently attached to the sidewalls 52, 54, or any
combination thereof using
any number of suitable methods including heat sealing, integral casting,
adhesive sealing, and
various hybrid methods of manufacturing. Some exemplary pouches and closure
mechanisms
usable in the invention are disclosed in Dais et al. U.S. Patent No.
5,070.584, Dias et al. U.S.
Patent No. 5,307,552, Ausnit U.S. Patent No. 5,382,094, Borchardt et al. U.S.
Patent No.
5,774,955, Bench U.S. Patent No. 6,877,898, Pawloski U.S. Patent No.
7,410,298, and Dowd et
al. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0159662.
[0034]
The tactile enhancement mechanism is attached to an exterior side of the pouch
50
adjacent to and offset laterally up and/or down from the closure mechanism 68.
The tactile
enhancement mechanism includes one or more tactile strips 74a, 74b, 74c, 74d,
each formed of
one or more layers of material attached to the exterior surface pouch 50 with
an optionally
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textured outer surface that is exposed to a user's fingers when closing the
closure mechanism 68
and located to help provide a unique tactile sensation to the user's fingers
over the closure strips
70 and/or 72. First and third tactile strips 74a and 74c are disposed on
respective sidewalls 52,
54 in a region immediately below the first and second closure strips 70, 72,
and second and
fourth tactile strips 74b and 74d are disposed on the sidewalls 52, 54 in a
region immediately
above the first and second closures 70, 72. Preferably, the tactile strips 74a-
74d have the form of
elongate strips that extend approximately parallel with and along the entire
length of the closure
mechanism 68, although the tactile strips 74a-74d are not necessarily limited
to any particular
exact shape herein. An exterior surface of each or any of tactile strips 74a-
74d may be textured
in any form sufficient to provide an additional tactile feedback cue to the
user, such as with
bumps, ribs, notches, slits, cuts, embossing, roughening, designs, holes,
abscesses, and
indentations. An exemplary texture shown in FIG. 1 is a series of X-shaped
indentations that
may be formed by embossing or cutting partly or completely through the
layer(s) of material of
the tactile strips. Other patterns that provide some sort of texture
transverse to the axes of the
strips 74a-74d, such as vertical, slanted, circular, or diamond shaped cuts or
ridges, may be used
and are contemplated to be within the scope of the disclosure. The tactile
strips 74a-74d of the
tactile enhancement mechanism help ensure positive closure of the closure
mechanism 68 by
providing both a shape that urges the user's fingers to a position directly
opposite the closure
mechanism 68 and a tactile cue that provides additional tactile feedback to
the user to easily feel
where the outer bounds of the closure strips 70 and/or 72 are and where the
user's finger's should
be to ensure successful closure of the closure mechanism 68. The tactile
enhancement
mechanism may have alternate forms wherein fewer than four of the tactile
strips 74a-74d may
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be used, such as having only tactile strips 74a and 74b on the pouch wall 52,
having only lower
tactile strips 74a and 74c, having only upper tactile strips 74b and 74d, or
other combinations of
the tactile strips 74a-74d. It should be understood that the term "layer"
encompasses any
amount, shape, and/or size of material that is applied to the pouch 50 that
provides a tactile
sensation to a user's fingers when closing the closure mechanism consistent
with the description
and objects discussed herein. The tactile enhancement mechanism may also urge
the user's
fingers into a position directly opposite the closure strips 70, 72 by
providing a flat, smooth area
76 coextensive with the closure mechanism 68 over which the user's fingers
slide more readily
and bounded on one or both sides of the closure mechanism 68 by the tactile
strips.
[0035]
The tactile strips 74a-74d may be formed of many different materials and/or
applied
in different ways. For example, the tactile strips 74a-74d may be made of
thermoplastic, such as
polyethylene, polypropylene, and blends thereof The tactile strips 74a-74d may
be made of
paint, ink, paper, cloth, adhesive decals, or other material suitable for the
purposes described
herein. Further, the tactile strips 74a-74d may be attached to the pouch 50 by
any method
suitable for application, such as by extrusion, heat sealing, adhesive,
spraying, and/or printing.
In one example, the tactile strips 74a-74d are formed by extruding a layer or
bead of
thermoplastic onto the pouch and subsequently embossing or cutting exterior
surfaces of the
tactile strips 74a-74d with an embossing wheel or cutting mechanism. In
another example, the
layer(s) of material of the tactile strips 74a-74d may be ink or thermoplastic
that is sprayed onto
the pouch 50 in a series of shapes adjacent to the closure mechanism, for
example with a hot
melt adhesive application system. In another example, the layer(s) of material
of the tactile
strips 74a-74d may be printed on to the pouch 50 in a series of shapes
adjacent to the closure
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mechanism using flexographic printing machine. Further, the layer(s) of the
tactile strips 74a-
74d may be applied in any thickness sufficient to provide a meaningful tactile
feel to an average
user's fingers as described. Preferably the layers are between about 0.005 mm
to about 5 mm
thick, and more preferably about 0.02 mm thick.
[0036] In one standard method of use, when it is desired to close the
closure mechanism 68,
the closure strips 70, 72 are squeezed together between a user's fingers 78,
80, for example,
beginning at one end of the closure mechanism and drawing the fingers along
the entire length of
the closure mechanism 68 to thereby squeeze the closure strips 70, 72 together
along the entire
length thereof. The added layer(s) of material of the tactile enhancement
mechanism may guide
the user's fingers 78, 80 onto the smooth regions 76 opposite the closure
strips 70, 72, thereby
guiding the user's fingers 78, 80 into an optimal position for successfully
closing the closure
strips 70, 72 as the user moves fingers 78, 80 from edge 60 to edge 56, for
example, while
applying inward pressure to successfully close the pouch 50. Further, a
textured exterior surface
of the tactile strips 74a-74d as disclosed herein, also provides a tactile
sensation in the form of a
roughened sensation that provides the user with additional tactile feedback
that signals to the
user whether his/her fingers 78, 80 are correctly positioned in the smooth
space 76 directly
opposite and aligned with the closure mechanism 68.
[0037] Turning now to some exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS 2-5, in FIG.
2, the first
closure strip 70 includes a first base 82 attached to an interior surface of
the first sidewall 52, and
the second closure strip 72 includes a second base 84 attached to an interior
surface of the second
sidewall 54. In other embodiments, one or both of the first and second closure
strips 70, 72 may
be integral with the respective first and second sidewalls 52, 54. The first
closure strip 70
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includes a first interlocking member 86 that has an arrow shape disposed at a
first end of the first
base 82, a second interlocking member 88 that has a channel shape disposed at
a second end of
the first base 82, and a medial portion 90 between the first interlocking
member 86 and the
second interlocking member 88, wherein the first interlocking member 86 and
second
interlocking member 88 both extend from the first base 82 toward the second
base 84. The
second closure strip 72 includes a third interlocking member 92 that has a
channel shape
disposed at a first end of the second base 84, a fourth interlocking member 94
that has an arrow
shape disposed at a second end of the second base 84, and a medial portion 96
between the third
interlocking member 92 and the fourth interlocking member 94, wherein the
third interlocking
member 92 and the fourth interlocking member 94 extend from the second base 84
toward the
first base 80. The first interlocking member 86 occludes with the third
interlocking 92 member
and the second interlocking member 88 occludes with the fourth interlocking
member 94.
Although the closure strips 70 and 72 are shown with two sets of interlocking
profiles, it is
contemplated that any number and combination of interlocking profiles
sufficient to close the
opening 64 may be used. Each of the tactile strips 74a-74d is disposed
adjacent one of the
closure strips 70, 72, and flat, smooth regions 76 are formed immediately
opposite and
coextensive with the closure strips 70, 72 between the tactile strips. The
tactile strips 74a-74d
are preferably spaced above and below the closure mechanism 68 such that, for
example small
gaps 100a-100d are formed between the first and second ends of bases 82, 84
and the respective
tactile strips 74a-74d. The gaps 100a-100d are preferably each between about
0.1 mm to about
mm, and more preferably between about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm.
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[0038] In FIG. 3, a tactile enhancement mechanism on a pouch 50 is shown
with another
closure mechanism 68a including closure strips 70a, 72a having a different
profile. The closure
mechanism 68a has first and second closure strips 70a, 72a that extend along
the length of the
opening 64. Each closure strip 70a, 72a has a profile defining an interlocking
member 86 or 92
projecting from an inside surface of a base member 82. Upper and lower flange
members 102a,
102b, 102c, 102d extend upwardly and downwardly from a respective base member
82 and each
lower flange member 102a, 102c is secured to a respective sidewall 52, 54 of
the pouch 50 along
the opening 64 such that the first closure strip 70a occludes with the second
closure strip 72a.
[0039] Tactile strips 74a, 74b, 74c, and 74d defining a tactile enhancement
mechanism are
attached to the exterior surfaces of the upper and lower flange members 102 in
the manner
shown in FIG. 1. The first tactile strip 74a is spaced below the interlocking
member 86, and the
second tactile strip 74b is spaced above the interlocking member 88, thereby
leaving an
intermediate flat, smooth region 76 coextensive with the interlocking member.
Optionally, third
and fourth tactile strips 74c, 74d may be attached to the exterior surfaces of
the opposite upper
and lower flanges 102c, 102d, with the third tactile strip 74c spaced below
the interlocking
member 92 and the fourth tactile strip 74d spaced above the interlocking
member and another
flat, smooth region 76 disposed therebetween.
[0040] In FIG. 4, a tactile enhancement mechanism on a pouch 50 with a
further closure
mechanism 68b is generally similar to closure mechanism 68, but includes
closure strips 70b,
72b having yet a different profile. Closure strip 70b includes upper and lower
interlocking
members 86 and 88, and closure strip 70b includes upper and lower interlocking
members 92 and
94. The upper interlocking members 86, 92 are spaced apart from the lower
interlocking
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members 88, 94 and extend along the length of the closure mechanism 68b. Each
interlocking
member 86, 88, 92 and 94 is attached directly to an inside surface of a
sidewall 52 or 54 of the
pouch 50 along the opening 64 such that the upper interlocking members 86 and
92 occlude
together and the lower interlocking members 88 and 94 occlude together.
Tactile strips 74a, 74b,
75c, 74d of the tactile enhancement mechanism are attached to exterior
surfaces of the sidewalls
52 or 54 of the pouch 50. The tactile strip 74b is spaced above the closure
mechanism, and the
tactile strip 74a is spaced below the closure mechanism, thereby leaving a
flat, intermediate
smooth region 76 coextensive with the interlocking members 86, 88, where the
sidewall 52 of
the pouch 50 is exposed with no tactile strip. Optionally, the tactile strips
74c and 74d may be
attached to the exterior surface of the opposite sidewall 54 of the pouch 50,
with the tactile strip
74d spaced above the closure mechanism and the tactile strip 74c spaced below
the closure
mechanism, thereby leaving a flat, smooth portion 76 of the sidewall 54
therebetween opposite
the interlocking members 92, 94. Preferably, the tactile strips 74a-74d extend
parallel to and
along the entire length of the closure mechanism 68b as shown in FIG. 1.
[0041]
Each tactile strip 74a-74d shown in FIGS. 2-4 preferably has a textured
exterior
surface, such as formed by slices, slits, indentations, holes, or other
texture that may be readily
felt by a user's fingers along the exterior side thereof, as described with
respect to FIG. 1. The
tactile strips 74a-74d may be formed of a bead of material that is applied to
the exterior of the
pouch, such as thermoplastic extruded directly on to a side wall, may be a
strip of material that is
post-applied to the exterior of the pouch, or may be formed by any other
method sufficient to
secure the layer(s) of material to the exterior of a pouch adjacent to the
closure mechanism, as
described previously herein. Further, the tactile strips 74a-74d preferably
are not aligned directly
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CA 02767830 2012-02-13
opposite (behind) the closures 70, 72, such as the bases 82, 84 of FIG. 2, or
the interlocking
profiles of FIGS. 3 and 4, and the flat, smooth regions 76 include
substantially no material added
to the sidewalls of the pouch.
[0042] In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the tactile enhancement
mechanism
comprises at least one, and preferably two tactile strips 74a, 74b, wherein
the tactile strips extend
along the length of the sidewalls 52, 54 in a region immediately above and/or
below the first
closure profile 70 and are discontinuous. A flat, smooth region 76 is defined
between the tactile
strips 74a, 74b coextensive with the closure mechanism 68 as disclosed
previously herein. The
tactile strips 74a, 74b are discontinuous, having breaks 104 disposed at
intervals along the length
of the pouch 50 as shown in FIG. 5. The intervals between successive breaks
104 can be
constant or irregular. The breaks 104 in the tactile strips 74a, 74b may
provide the textured
surface alone, or additional texturing may be imparted to the tactile strips
in any manner as
suggested herein. The tactile strips 74a, 74b may be disposed only on one
sidewall 52 of the
pouch 50 (as shown in FIG. 5) or additional tactile strips (not shown) may be
disposed in similar
position with respect to the closure mechanism on both pouch 50 sidewalls 52,
54 as disclosed
previously herein. Some of the tactile strips 74a-74d may be continuous as
shown in FIG. 1 and
others of the tactile strips may be discontinuous as shown in FIG. 5.
Tactile Strips
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 6, a partial cross-sectional view of another
exemplary pouch
150 having a tactile enhancement mechanism in accordance with the subject
technology is
shown. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art,
the pouch 150 utilizes
similar principles =such as the closure strips 70, 72 of the pouch 50
described above.
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CA 02767830 2013-12-12
Accordingly, like reference numerals preceded by the numeral "1" are used to
indicate like
elements when possible. The primary difference of the pouch 150 in comparison
to the pouch
50 is an arrangement of tactile strips. It is also noted that the first
closure strip 170 has a male
interlocking member 194 that is hooked shaped rather than arrowhead shaped. In
various
embodiments, the interlocking member 194 as well as other components of the
closure strips 170,
172 may be intermittently varied to produce sound during closing and other
desirable benefits.
[0044] A continuous line 190 of resin is intermediate the closure strips
170, 172. The resin line
190 provides additional color and facilitates sealing between the closure
strips 170, 172 when
forming a side weld during manufacture of the pouch 150.
[0045] The features that comprise the tactile enhancement mechanism are on
the internal
surfaces 180, 182 of the sidewalls 152, 154 between the top edges 166 and
closure strips 170,
172. The tactile enhancement mechanism includes ridges 184a-184j and a tactile
strip 174. In
alternative embodiments, one or more such ridges and tactile strips may be
additionally on the
external surfaces 186, 188 or only on the external surfaces 186, 188.
[0046] The tactile strip 174 is only on one panel or sidewall 154, which is
relatively shorter
than the other sidewall 152. Rather than be adjacent the closure mechanism 168
as shown above,
the tactile strip 174 is much closer to the respective top edge 166. The
tactile strip 174 extends
approximately parallel with and along the entire length of the closure
mechanism 168 as do the
ridges 184a-184j.
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CA 02767830 2012-02-13
[0047] The ridges 184a-184j are configured to provide improved gripping,
feel and user
satisfaction when opening and closing the pouch 150. Although the ridges 184a-
184j are not
necessarily limited to any particular exact shape or arrangement herein, the
ridges 184a-184j are
somewhat triangular in cross-sectional shape. An exterior surface of each or
any of the ridges
184a-184j may be textured in any form sufficient to provide an additional
tactile feedback cue to
the user.
[0048] An exemplary arrangement is shown in FIG. 6 with ridges 184a-184f
equally spaced
on the longer sidewall 152, ridge 184g adjacent the top edge 166 of the
shorter sidewall 154, and
ridges 184h-184j equally spaced closer to the closure mechanism 168 than the
tactile strip 174.
The spacing of ridges 184h-184j may be the same or slightly closer, as shown,
than the opposing
ridges 184a-184f. In one embodiment, the spacing between the ridges 184a-184f
is
approximately 0.060 of an inch {0.001524 mm}. The tactile enhancement
mechanism may have
alternate forms wherein fewer or more than ten ridges and a plurality of the
tactile strips 174 may
be used.
[0049] The ridges 184a-184j may be formed of many different materials
and/or applied in
different ways. For example without limitation, the ridges 184a-184j may be
made of
thermoplastic, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and blends thereof in an
integrally formed
process or post-applied. Further, the ridges 184a-184j may be attached to the
pouch 150 by any
method suitable for application, such as by extrusion, heat sealing, adhesive,
spraying, and/or
printing. Still further, the ridges 184a-184j may be varied in color such as
ridges 184a-184f
being blue and ridges 184g-184j being pink to provide further visual cue to
the user. In one
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CA 02767830 2012-02-13
embodiment, the height of the ridges 184a-184f is approximately 0.005 of an
inch {0.00127
mm) to 0.007 of an inch {0.001778 mm).
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 7, a partial cross-sectional view of still
another exemplary
pouch 250 with a tactile enhancement mechanism in accordance with the subject
technology is
shown. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art,
the pouch 250 utilizes
similar principles to the pouches 50, 150 described above. Accordingly, like
reference
numerals preceded by the numeral "2" are used to indicate like elements when
possible. The.
primary differences of the pouch 250 in comparison to the pouch 150 is the
well defined
triangular cross-sectional shape and arrangement of ridges 284a-284e and the
absence of tactile
strips.
[0051] The ridges 284e-284g are equally spaced on the shorter sidewall 254
and set apart
approximately double the spacing from the respective top edge 266. Ridges
284a, 284b oppose
ridges 284e, 284f and are spaced approximately the same distance apart.
However, the spacing
from ridge 284b to ridge 284c approximately doubles with the spacing from
ridge 284c to ridge
284d increasing about another 12%. In one embodiment, the spacing between the
ridges 284e-
284g is approximately 0.070 of an inch {0.01778 mm).
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 8, an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of
the area
surrounded by circle 8 of FIG. 7 is shown. In particular, ridges 284a, 284b,
284e, 284f are shown
in detail. The ridges 284a-284g are substantially equilateral triangles in
cross-sectional shape
having a height "a" approximately double the thickness "b" of the respective
sidewall 252, 254.
Hence, a ratio of height "a" to sidewall thickness "b" is approximately two.
The ridges 284a-
284g are well formed so that the distal end 290 of each ridge 284a-284g is
pointed or sharp to
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CA 02767830 2012-02-13
provide concentrated and significant tactile feedback to the user. In one
embodiment, the height
"a" is approximately 0.014 of an inch {0.3556 mm} to 0.015 of an inch {0.381
mm}. Preferably,
the ridges 284a-284g are extruded from a die and post applied to the sidewalls
252, 254.
[0053]
The arrangement and size of the ridges 284a-284g is particularly well-suited
to
improve tactile performance under moist or wet conditions. Further, under
typical use, although
the larger well-formed ridges 284a-284g would be expected to decrease the user
contact area and,
in turn, reduce the ability to grip the sidewall 252, 254. However, the
placement of the ridges
284a-284g and the user response to the shape of the ridges 284a-284g, creates
a surprisingly
improved gripping experience.
[0054] It is also noted that the sidewall material impacts the performance of
the tactile response
to the user. For example, a high gloss panel or film provides additional
contact area as compared
to an embossed or other types of film. The sidewall material should be
selected to take
advantage of the synergy between the film and the ridge shape and arrangement.
It is envisioned
that a low or regular gloss film may provide the best overall tactile
enhancement mechanism. A
high gloss film typically has a low haze. The American Society for Testing and
Materials
maintains a Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid
Plastics (ASTM
D2457). To determine gloss for films exhibiting intermediate gloss,
measurements are made at a
60 angle, for high-gloss films at a 20 angle, a 45 angle may also be used
as a third option
recognized by ASTM D2457. A black glass standard is used for calibration
purposes. A
primary black glass standard with an index of refraction of 1.540 and a scale
factor of 10.0
should theoretically yield a value of 95.8 gloss units at 60 according to
ASTM D2457. A
perfect mirror would yield 1000, i.e. 100% reflectance * 10Ø ASTM D2457
notes that clear
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CA 02767830 2012-02-13
plastic films can yield gloss values greater than 100 units because of
reflections from both
surfaces. Preferred bag films yield gloss values covering the range of 50 to
175 gloss units and,
more preferably 70 to 125 gloss units. A high gloss film example is less than
20% haze and a
gloss greater than 50 Hunter Units (H.U.) at 45 degrees. Advantageously, some
preferred
embodiments may have very different haze and gloss values. In one embodiment,
the film is a
low gloss film with at least 20% haze and a gloss of less than 50 H.U. and,
more preferably, a
haze of from 22-33% with a gloss of from 37-47 H.U. In another embodiment, the
film is a high
gloss film with less than 15% haze and a gloss of more than 55 H.U. and, more
preferably, a
haze of from 5-15% with a gloss of from 55-75 H.U.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 9, a partial cross-sectional view of yet
another exemplary
pouch 350 with a tactile enhancement mechanism in accordance with the subject
technology is
shown. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art,
the pouch 350 utilizes
similar principles to the pouches 50, 150, 250 described above. Accordingly,
like reference
numerals preceded by the numeral "3" are used to indicate like elements when
possible. The
primary difference of the pouch 350 in comparison to the pouch 250 is the
arrangement of ridges
384a-384i and that two of the ridges 384e, 384f are significantly larger than
the other ridges 384a-
384d, 384g-384i.
[0056] The ridges 384g, 384h are spaced approximately the same as the
ridges 284e, 284f of
FIG. 7 noted above. However, the ridges 384h, 384i are relatively more closely
spaced than the
ridges 384g, 384h. For example, the spacing between ridges 384h, 384i is
approximately 75% of
the spacing between the ridges 384g, 384h. In one embodiment, the spacing
between ridges
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CA 02767830 2012-02-13
384g, 384h is at least 25% more than the spacing between the ridges 384h,
384i. In one
embodiment, the spacing between ridges 384g, 384f is at least 75% more than
the spacing
between the ridges 384g, 384h. In another embodiment, the spacing between
ridges 384g, 384f is
75% to 125% more than the spacing between the ridges 384g, 384h.
[0057] Sidewall 354 also has the additional fourth ridge 384f near the
respective top edge 366.
The ridge 384f is significantly larger than the other ridges 384g-384i. In one
embodiment, the
height of the ridge 384f is approximately 0.017 of an inch {0.4318 mm} whereas
the height of
the ridges 384g-384i is approximately 0.014 of an inch {0.3556 mm} to 0.015 of
an inch {0.381
mm} .
[0058]
The longer sidewall 352 has ridges 384a, 384b which are spaced similarly to
and
oppose ridges 384h, 384g on the shorter sidewall 354. However, the spacing
from ridge 384b to
ridge 384c is approximately 37.5% longer than the spacing from ridge 384a to
ridge 384b. In
one embodiment, the spacing between ridges 384b, 384c is at least 50% more
than the spacing
between the ridges 384a, 384b. The spacing from ridge 384c to ridge 384d is
approximately
double the spacing from ridge 384a to ridge 384b. In one embodiment, the
spacing between
ridges 384c, 384d is at least 75% more than the spacing between the ridges
384a, 384b. The
spacing from ridge 384e to ridge 384d is approximately 50% longer than the
spacing from ridge
384a to ridge 384b. In one embodiment, the spacing between ridges 384e, 384d
is at least 25%
more than the spacing between the ridges 384a, 384b. In one embodiment, the
spacing between
the ridges 384a, 384b is approximately 0.070 of an inch {0.01778 mm}. The
spacing between
any of the ridges 384a-i may vary through a variety of values such as at least
10%, 25%, or 50% as
well as within ranges such as 10-50%, 25-75%, 50-200% or greater and the like
in order to
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CA 02767830 2012-02-13
=
optimize tactile response and grip. In another embodiment, there are three
grip strips on one
sidewall spaced approximately 0.153, 0.100 and 0.071 of an inch starting from
the lip and four
on the other sidewall spaced approximately 0.113, 0.090, 0.188 and 0.147 of an
inch.
[0059] Similar to the shorter sidewall 354, the ridge 384e adjacent the top
edge 366 of the longer
sidewall 352 is relatively larger, which is substantially the same size as
ridge 384f. In one
embodiment, the height of the ridges 384e, 384f is at least 10% larger than
each of the other
ridges 384a-c, 384g-i. In another embodiment, the height of the ridges 384e,
384f is about 20%
larger than each of the other ridges 384a-c, 384g-i. The height of any of the
ridges 384a-i may
vary through a variety of values such as at least 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% as well
as within ranges
such as 5-10%, 5-25%, 10-20%, 15-25%, 20-25%, 15-50% or greater and the like
in order to
optimize tactile response and grip.
[0060] In one embodiment, the ridges 384e, 384f are extruded with the
respective sidewall 352,
354 whereas the other ridges 384a-384d, 384g-384i are post applied. Various
combinations of
extrusion and post application of the ridges can be utilized to accomplish
various combinations
and sizes of ridges.
[0061]
Any of the tactile enhancement mechanisms disclosed herein may be manufactured
in
a variety of shapes and sizes and may take various forms sufficient to provide
the functions
disclosed herein. Additionally, the ridges may be utilized on external
surfaces of the sidewalls as
well as externally and internally on the same pouch. However, the embodiments
shown herein
have been proven to be an improvement over the prior art. More particularly,
even within the
embodiments shown, the lip of the pouch 350 of Figure 9 has yielded improved
test results under
a non-slip grip force (NS GF) testing than the lip of the pouch 250 of Figure
7. Similarly, the lip
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CA 02767830 2013-12-12
1
of the pouch 350 of Figure 7 has yielded improved test results under a non-
slip grip force testing
than the lip of the pouch 150 of Figure 6.
[0062] In one assessment, the lips of each sidewall 152, 154, 252,
254, 352, 354 of the
pouches 150, 250, 350, respectively, were subjected to NSGF measurements. The
approximate
results are reproduced below in Table 1 with lower NSGF numbers being
preferred. As can be
seen from Table 1, the pouch 250 of Figure 7 is an approximately 10%
improvement over the
pouch 150 of Figure 6. Further, the pouch 350 of Figure 7 is an approximately
15%
improvement over the pouch 150 of Figure 6. Without being limited to any
particular theory,
these surprising results the NSGF test results that indicate significant
consumer benefits are
produced by the size, shape, quantity and location of the ridges 284, 384.
TABLE 1
Embodiment Sidewall NSGF value
Figure 6 152 1.38
Figure 6 154 1.47
Figure 7 252 1.27
Figure 7 254 1.32
Figure 9 352 1.22
Figure 9 354 1.20
[0062] Blank
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CA 02767830 2012-02-13
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0063] A tactile enhancement mechanism of the present invention may help
guide a user's
fingers into the proper position along a closure mechanism to ensure complete
and/or proper
closure of the closure mechanism by providing tactile cues and feedback that
help a user place
his/her fingers in an optimal position for effectuating closure. A tactile
enhancement mechanism
placed at locations adjacent above and/or below the closure mechanism can in
some cases also
overcome one or more challenges of the prior art discussed herein.
[0064] 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 disclosure.
Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those
skilled in the art in
view of the foregoing description without departing from the principles of the
disclosed
invention. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative
only and is presented
for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the
disclosure and to teach the
best mode of carrying out same.
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