Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to end stops for slider zippers for reclosable packages or bags wherein the end stops are formed by straps which are inserted and secured within apertures in the zipper, proximate to the ends of the zipper. The ends of the straps are joined to each other to form loops. This joining may be done with a fin seal, a lap seal, a separate rivet, an integral rivet or similar structure.

Description:
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 61/697,500 filed on Sep. 6, 2012. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to end stops for a reclosable slider zipper. The end stops are formed by a strap configuration. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In the prior art, it is well-established that a slider zipper for a reclosable package or bag requires end stops at the ends of the zipper to prevent the slider from being withdrawn or pulled from the ends of the zipper. This is typically done by providing an enlargement on the ends of the zipper in order to prevent movement of the slider past these enlargements. While this structure is well-adapted and suitable for its intended purposes, further improvements are sought, particularly with respect to simplifying of manufacturing steps, reducing costs of manufacture, and increasing of manufacturing speed. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to simplify the manufacturing of slider zippers, as well as reduce the costs of manufacture and increasing the manufacturing speed thereof, while maintaining the required resistance to removal of the slider from the zipper. 
     These and other objects are attained by providing end stops in the form of straps which are inserted or secured into openings and looped near the ends of the slider zipper. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further objects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one sees that  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the zipper  10  which is typically made from polymeric material and includes first and second profiles  12 ,  14  which are co-extensive with each other. Zipper  10  is intended for use in reclosable packages, pouches, bags or similar applications. Those skilled in the art, after review of the present disclosure, would realize that there is a broad range of prior art profile designs which could be incorporated into embodiments of the present disclosure. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , first profile  12  includes first interlocking element  16  and first flange  18 . Second profile  14  includes second interlocking element  20  and second flange  22 . As is known, first and second flanges  18 ,  22  are used for sealing, joining or otherwise connecting to bag walls of a reclosable package (not shown). Slider  23  is mounted on the first and second interlocking elements  16 ,  20  and operates to separate the interlocking elements if moved in an opening direction and operates to join or close the interlocking elements if moved in a closing direction, opposite to the opening direction. End seals may be formed at the ends  26 ,  26 ′ of zipper  10  by sealing together the respective ends of first and second profiles  12 ,  14  to each other. Alternately, the end seals could be omitted and the zipper  10  held together by straps  30 ,  30 ′ with the respective ends of the first and second profiles  12 ,  14  aligned and positioned side-by-side as shown in the various figures. Apertures or slits  24 ,  24 ′ are formed through first and second flanges  18 ,  22  near, or inwardly adjacent from, the ends  26 ,  26 ′ of the zipper  10 . A substantially identical end stop and aperture or slit with substantially identical associated structure is found at each end  26 ,  26 ′ of zipper  10 . Continuous lengths of polymeric, polyolefin or similar heat-sealable material are passed through apertures  24 ,  24 ′, looped above the first and second interlocking elements  16 ,  20  of zipper  10  and cut thereby forming straps  30 ,  30 ′. The ends are sealed in fin seals  32 ,  32 ′. The fin seals  32 ,  32 ′ may be made using heat, ultrasonics, adhesive, or any similar method. The apertures or slits  24 ,  24 ′ may be made with a blade or possibly by a pointed end of the material forming straps  30 ,  30 ′. The resulting structure provides end stops to prevent the slider  23  from being pulled from ends  26 ,  26 ′. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a similar embodiment except that lap seals  33 ,  33 ′ are substituted for fin seals  32 ,  32 ′ on the straps  30 ,  30 ′. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a similar embodiment except that melted rivets  34 ,  34 ′ are substituted for the fin seals  32 ,  32 ′ or lap seals  33 ,  33 ′, with a fin-type end configuration resulting in the straps  30 ,  30 ′. Alternately, a lap-type end configuration could be used. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a similar embodiment except that snap fit rivets  35 ,  35 ′ are substituted for the fin seals  32 ,  32 ′, lap seals  33 ,  33 ′ or melted rivets  34 ,  34 ′, with a fin-type end configuration resulting in the straps  30 ,  30 ′. In both  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the rivets  34 ,  34 ′ or  35 ,  35 ′ can be a separate piece or integral with the straps  30 ,  30 ′. Alternately, a lap-type end configuration could be used. 
     Additionally, the apertures  24  can be eliminated by fusing portions of the straps  30 ,  30 ′ to the respective first and second flanges  18 ,  22 . That is, for any of  FIGS. 1-4 , the straps  30 ,  30 ′ would each be replaced by first strap segment extending from a respective end of the first flange  18  and a second strap segment extending from a respective end the second flange  22 . The respective first and second strap segments would then be joined to each other in manners shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . These alternative configurations would typically require end seals between the first and second profiles  12 ,  14  at ends  26 ,  26 ′ of the zipper. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 5 , straps  30 ,  30 ′ could be integral with both the first and second flanges  18 ,  22 , looping over the interlocking element  16 ,  20 , thereby eliminating the need for further attachment of the straps. This alternative configuration would typically require end seals between the first and second profiles  12 ,  14  at ends  26 ,  26 ′ of the zipper. 
     Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.