Resealable package having zipper closure including a slider device and retaining notch

A reclosable closure arrangement for use with packages, such as food and non-food packages, that includes a zipper closure having a slider device to open and close a pair of mating closure profiles. The slider device includes a plow member used to separate the closure profiles as the plow is moved along the length of the closure profile. Each of the closure profiles includes a receiving notch that defines a home position for the slider device. The receiving notches formed in the closure profile have a maximum length which is less than the length of a plow formed on the slider device. Thus, the slider device is prevented from becoming displaced from between the closure profiles.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a closure arrangement for resealable packages, such as plastic bags. More specifically, the present invention relates to a closure arrangement having reclosable profiles and a slider device to open and close the profiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many packaging applications use resealable containers to store various types of articles and materials. These packages may be used to store and ship food products, non-food consumer goods, medical supplies, waste materials, and various other types of articles. Resealable packages are convenient in that they can be closed and resealed after the initial opening to preserve the enclosed contents. The need to locate a storage container for the unused portion of the product in the package is thus avoided. As such, providing products in a resealable package appreciably enhances the marketability of these products.

Some types of resealable packages are opened and closed using a slider device. The slider device typically includes a separator or plow-type structure at one end that opens a zipper closure mechanism having profiled elements or closure profiles when the slider device travels in a first direction along the zipper closure. The sidewalls of the slider device are inwardly tapered from one end to the opposite end so that the sidewalls engage the closure profiles and progressively move them into engagement to close the resealable package when the slider device is moved along the zipper closure in a direction opposite to the first direction.

Resealable packages including a slider device to more easily open and close the profiles often include a notch formed in the closure profiles near one end of the zipper closure mechanism. The notch formed in the profile provides a “home” position for the slider when the package is in a completely closed position. The notch formed in the profile typically receives the plow formed in the slider such that the profile can be closed on each side of the plow to create a continuous seal across the entire package.

Although a notch formed in the mating profiles on the closed end of the resealable package is known, problems can occur during opening of the package. For example, if the profile elements and the slider device are twisted relative to each other before opening, the plow can be displaced from between the profiles such that the plow is ineffective in opening the zipper closure mechanism as the plow is drawn along the length of the zipper. This type of situation obviously renders the plow ineffective and reduces consumer confidence in the reliability of a zipper closure including a slider device.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved zipper closure mechanism that has a receiving notch that prevents the plow of the slider device from becoming displaced during opening of the closure mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a combination slider device and zipper closure that closes the mouth of a flexible, reclosable package. The zipper closure includes a pair of aligned receiving notches that receive the slider to define a home position for the slider along the length of the zipper closure.

In accordance with the invention, the zipper closure includes a first closure profile and a second closure profile that engage each other to seal the zipper closure along the mouth of the product package. The slider device is positioned to move along the pair of closure profiles to engage and disengage the closure profiles as the slider device is moved.

The slider device includes a plow depending from its top surface that travels between a pair of upper flanges formed on the first and second closure profiles. The plow includes a pair of angled wedges that separate the upper flanges, thus causing the first and second closure profiles to separate, as the slider device is moved in a first direction. The plow formed on the slider device has a length defined along the direction of movement of the slider.

Each of the closure profiles includes an upper flange that extends from an interlocking profile. The interlocking profile of each closure profile allows the closure profiles to be matingly engaged with each other. The upper flange of the closure profile extends along the entire length of the closure profile.

Each closure profile of the present invention includes a receiving notch formed in the upper flange of the closure profile. The receiving notches of each closure profile are aligned with each other to provide a home position for the slider device. The home position for the slider device is a resting position for the slider device when the bag is in its completely closed position. When the slider device is in the home position, the zipper closure is sealed on each side of the slider device. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the home position is near a side seal formed between the pair of closure profiles.

Each of the receiving notches formed in the closure profiles has a maximum length measured in the direction of the slider device movement. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the maximum length of the receiving notches is formed along a top edge of the upper flange of each closure profile. In the preferred embodiment, each of the receiving notches has a V-shape.

In accordance with the present invention, the maximum length of each receiving notch is less than the length of the plow formed on the slider device. Thus, the plow of the slider device is prevented from becoming displaced from between the pair of upper flanges formed on the closure profile while allowing a seal along the length of the zipper closure. However, the length of the receiving notch must be sufficient to allow the plow to extend outward from the closure profiles such that the zipper closure is sealed on each side of the slider device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Flexible packages having zipper closures are common in today's packaging market. Typically, the zipper closure has a first and a second interlocking closure profile. The zipper closure provides easy opening and closing of the package mouth to gain access to the contents within the package interior. The addition of a slider device to a flexible package, such as a plastic bag, is advantageous to aging or arthritic persons not having the physical ability to use just a zipper closure to reseal a bag. Additionally, the use of a slider device with a flexible package facilitates the use of the bag by users of all ages and abilities.

FIG. 1illustrates a flexible, reclosable package10. The flexible package10has a first and a second polymeric film side panels12and14defining an open interior16. The flexible package10includes a pair of side edges18and20and a bottom edge22. The pair of side panels12and14are connected to each other along the side edges18and20as the bottom edge22to form the open interior16of the package10. The first side edge18and the second side edge20are formed by seals created by the application of heat and pressure for a set period to the side panels12and14.

As shown inFIG. 1, a mouth24provides access to the interior16of the package10along the top of the package10. A zipper closure26is formed along the mouth24and extends from the first side edge18to the second side edge20. The zipper closure26can include a variety of configurations and structures.

A slider device is mounted on the zipper closure26to facilitate opening and closing of the zipper closure26. The slider device28and its function to open and close the zipper closure26, in general, are taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,0633,644; 5,301,394; and 5,442,837, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now toFIG. 2, thereshown is the zipper closure26utilized in the present invention. Although a specific embodiment of the zipper closure26is shown inFIG. 2, it should be understood that various other configurations for the zipper closure26could be used while falling within the scope of the present invention.

The zipper closure26has a first closure profile30and a second closure profile32. Specifically, the first closure profile30has a first interlocking profile34and the second closure profile32has a second interlocking profile36. The first and second interlocking profiles34and36are arranged and constructed to interlock and provide a seal across the mouth of the package.

The first and second closure profiles30and32include first and second sealing flanges38and40that are used to secure the closure profiles30and32to the respective side panels of the reclosable package. The first closure profile30includes a first upper flange42while the second closure profile32includes a similar second upper flange44.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the first closure profile30includes a closure post46that receives and engages a second closure post48to create an interlocking seal between the pair of closure profiles30and32.

As can be seen inFIG. 2, the slider device28of the present invention is mounted to the first and second closure profiles30and32and rests upon the top edge50of each of the upper flanges42and44. The slider device28extends between a first end52and a second end54. The slider device includes a top surface56and a pair of depending sidewalls58that act as a grasping section for movement of the slider along the length of the first and second closure profiles30and32.

Referring now toFIGS. 3aand3b, the slider device28includes a spreader device or plow60that projects downward from the top surface56of the slider device. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the plow60includes a pair of divergent angled wedges62,64.

During use of the slider device28, the angled wedges62,64separate the upper flange42of the first closure profile from the upper flange44of the second closure profile as the slider device28is moved to the right when viewed inFIG. 3a.

As can be seen inFIG. 3b, each of the angled wedges62,64of the plow60only extend between the upper flanges42,44of the closure profiles30,32and do not penetrate into the interlocking profile members34,36. This feature of the plow helps to insure a leak-proof closure mechanism.

As can be seen inFIG. 3b, each of the angled wedge62extends from a first edge66to a second edge68such that the length of the wedge, in the direction of slider movement illustrated by arrow70, is illustrated by length A—A. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the length of the plow60, as illustrated by length A—A, is approximately 0.19 inches. This dimension is given for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed as a feature of the invention, since the dimensions of the slider device28can vary depending upon the type of package upon which it is used.

As can be seen inFIG. 3a, the slider device28also includes a center wedge70that is positioned between the pair of angled wedges60and64. The center wedge70aids in directing the upper flanges42,44after the slider device28has been moved past its home position, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Referring back toFIG. 2, the upper flange42of the first closure profile30includes a receiving notch72and the upper flange44of the second closure profile32includes a corresponding receiving notch74. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the receiving notches72and74are aligned with each other along the longitudinal length of the first and second closure profiles30and32.

Referring now toFIG. 3b, the upper flange42of the first closure profile30includes a receiving notch72formed near the side edge18. Although not shown, the receiving notch74formed in the opposite profile32is identical to the notch72. The receiving notch72is formed in only the upper flange42and does not extend downward into the interlocking profile34such that the receiving notch72does not affect the interlocking closure between the first closure profile30and the second closure profile32.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIG. 3b, the receiving notch72has a generally V-shaped profile and is formed from a first edge surface76that extends perpendicular to the top edge50of the upper flange42. The receiving notch72further includes an angled edge surface78that extends from the bottom of the first edge surface76upward to the top edge50. As illustrated inFIG. 3b, the maximum length of the receiving notch72as measured along the direction of slider movement illustrated arrow70is along the top edge50of the upper flange42and is illustrated by distance B—B. Although the length of the receiving notch72decreases from the top edge50to the intersection between the angled edge surface78and76, the length of the receiving notch72at its maximum width is an important design feature of the receiving notch72. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIG. 3b, the maximum width B—B of the receiving notch72is 0.1549 inches, although the actual value of the length B—B can vary depending upon the type of package being utilized.

Although a V-shaped receiving notch72is shown in the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that various other configurations for the receiving notch72are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. For example, a rectangular notch and a V-shaped notch in which both of the edge surfaces are angled relative to the top edge50are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. Regardless of the actual shape of the notch, the maximum width of the notch formed in the upper flange42is an important aspect of the present invention.

As illustrated inFIG. 3b, a side seal80is formed between the first and second closure profiles30,32to provide a water-tight seal along the side edge18. Although not illustrated inFIG. 3b, a similar side seal is formed along the opposite side edge20.

Referring now toFIGS. 4aand4b, as the slider device28is moved in the direction shown by arrow84, the slider device28approaches the pair of receiving notches72,74formed in the respective upper flanges42and44. As illustrated, the plow60initially separates the upper flanges42and44as the plow60approaches the pair of receiving notches72and74while the remaining portions of the slider interlock the mating profiles as is known.

Referring now toFIG. 5a, thereshown is an illustration of the position of the plow60within the gap created by the pair of receiving notches72and74. As the plow60approaches the pair of notches72and74, the second end68of each angled wedge62and64extends through the respective notch72or74such that the seal between the profiles remains below the plow60. As illustrated, the second ends68of the angled wedges62and64pass to the outside of the upper flanges42and44such that the plow60does not separate the upper flanges42and44as the slider moves past the notches72and74.

As clearly illustrated inFIG. 5a, the length of the plow A—A from the first edge66to the second edge68of each of the angled wedges62,64is greater than the maximum length B—B of each of the receiving notches72,74. As can be understood inFIG. 5a, when the slider device28is in the position illustrated, the center wedge70is between the upper flanges42and44past the notches72and74and the length A—A of the slider60prevents the entire plow60from becoming displaced from between the pair of upper flanges42,44and being positioned completely to the outside of one of the upper flanges42,44.

In prior systems, the length of the receiving notches was greater than the length of the plow, such that the plow could become disengaged with the pair of upper flanges42,44. In the prior art system, when the plow became disengaged, the entire plow would pass to the outside of either of the upper flanges such that the plow, and thus the slider device would be ineffective in opening the zipper closure during further movement of the slider device.

In accordance with the present invention, the plow60has an overall length A—A which is greater than the maximum length B—B of the receiving notches72,74such that the plow60cannot become disengaged from between the pair of upper flanges42,44.

FIGS. 6aand6billustrate the movement of the slider device28further toward the side seal80. As the slider device28moves closer to the side seal80, the plow60moves past the pair of receiving notches72and74. As the slider device moves in the direction illustrated by arrow84, the center wedge70stays between the upper flanges42and44until the upper flanges are directed together by the inner surface71formed on each of the pair of angled wedges62,64, as illustrated inFIG. 7a.

When a user desires to open the reclosable package, the slider device28is moved to the right, as illustrated inFIG. 5a. As the slider device is moved to the right, the leading edge68of each angled wedge62,64passes between the upper flanges42,44to begin separating the upper flanges42,44in a known manner. Since the length of the plow60is greater than the maximum length of the receiving notches72,74, the plow60is prevented from becoming displaced from between the pair of upper flanges42and44. Thus, the dimensions of the plow60relative to the receiving notches72,74prevent displacement of the plow and aids in insuring proper operation of the slider device28.

Having described the presently preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the appended claims.