Patent ID: 6009603
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: B65D,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A reclosable thermoplastic pouch closure structure comprising first and second fastener strips having longitudinally extending interlockable profiles, second strip having a unidirectional locking means providing damage resistant disengagement of said closure; said fastener strips configured to co-operate when locked to form a central sealing means, said locking means arranged to resiliently preload said sealing means thereby providing leak resistance of said closure; first and second fastener strips include flanges to be affixed along the opening end interior walls of a plastic film pouch or container thereby forming marginal portions thereon;said first strip profile having a thinnest most portion comprising a thin resilient central arch having an apex sealing surface facing toward said second strip, and rigid protruding abutments at each end of said arch, each said abutment having a wall extending at right angle to the chordal plane of said arch in a direction opposite said apex and said walls extending substantially parallel to each other for a distance then turning outward in opposite directions at right angle thereby forming flange portions separated by a gap, said walls and flanges being thicker and therefore more rigid than said central arch, said flanges having front and back surfaces and ends, said ends defining the width of said first strip, said flange back surfaces to be suitably affixed to said film pouch interior wall, said film pouch wall spans said gap and completes the exterior of a cavity therein, thereby restraining said first strip flanges from outwardly spreading apart; each said abutment includes a raised portion extending beyond said apex, each abutment having an outward facing locking shoulder with a ledge configured to interlock with and be grasped by an inward facing locking hook of said second strip, each said abutment also includes an outward facing guiding inclined surface extending from said raised portion to said shoulder;said second strip profile comprises a rectangular base element having front and back sides and ends, said base ends defining the width of said second strip; said front side having a central co-operating sealing ridge extending a small distance therefrom, and said side having two parallel walls extending at right angle being spaced apart equidistant from said sealing ridge; said back side having a recessed portion forming a flexible thin rectangular section adjacent to said sealing ridge within said base; said parallel walls being thicker and therefore more rigid than said thin rectangular section, said walls terminating having inward facing locking hooks with ledges configured to interlock with and grasp said outward facing locking shoulders of said first strip, said hooks having transitional lead-in curved surfaces configured to contact said first strip guiding inclined surfaces at approximately midpoint aligning said first and second strips as they are manually pressed into engagement; said base element extending linearly beyond said walls forming flange portions thereof, said flange portions having front and back sides, said flange back sides providing surfaces to be suitably affixed to the opposite interior wall of said film pouch;wherein said first strip inclined surfaces form an acute angle between said surfaces providing a V-shaped wedge capable of applying a force to said second strip lead-in curved surfaces during engagement, thereby spreading apart said second strip rigid walls with hooks, thus bending said thin rectangular section in a direction away from said ridge; said inclined surfaces and lead-in curved surfaces arranged such that said firm ridge contacts said central arch apex at approximately midpoint initiating sealing contact between said first and second fastener strips before said hooks snap over and grasp said first strip locking shoulders, tightly interlocking said fastener strips together.