Abstract:
The disclosure relates to hand held closing tool for a zipper, typically but not necessary a double zipper, on a reclosable package or bag. The tool is used to manually close, and possibly lock the zipper. This may be used with vacuum or other bags. Various embodiments are disclosed including a pliers-type embodiment, a box-type embodiment and a book-type embodiment.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/367,249, filed on Jul. 23, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present disclosure pertains to a handheld device or tool that would be held by a user and used to manually close one or more interlocking profiles of a zipper of a bag or flexible container. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    In the prior art, form fill and seal methods and apparatus are well known for packaging foodstuffs and small consumer packages. However, recently methods and apparatus have been developed to increase the size of packages involved. The form fill and seal packaging of larger items, such as, but not limited to, bedding materials, the process typically including a compression step, has been disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/823,328 filed on Jun. 25, 2010 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Compressing and Holding in Compression Woven Fabric Articles”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/823,331 filed on Jun. 25, 2010 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Compressing and Holding in Compression Woven Fabric Articles and Products Thereof”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/963,235 filed on Dec. 8, 2010 entitled “Form Fill Seal Packaging Method and Apparatus for Compressible Goods”. These methods and apparatus have been found satisfactory for their intended purposes, further improvements are sought in the event that manual closing of the zipper is required. 
       SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0006]    It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for manually closing of reclosable zippers on larger packages which are produced by form fill seal or other methods. 
         [0007]    It is therefore a further object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus which can close a reclosable zipper with double or multiple track profiles. 
         [0008]    These and other objects are attained by the present disclosure by providing a tool in any one of various embodiments including, but not limited to a box embodiment, a book embodiment and a pliers embodiment. These embodiments typically include two pairs of rollers so that the tool is square and aligned with respect to the double or multiple zipper profiles. These two or multiple profiles are parallel through the length of the open or closed bag, and the twin sets of rollers serve to square-up the tool relative to both profiles. 
         [0009]    The hand held device or closing tool is held by an operator and used to close, mate or join two parallel interlocking double zipper profiles. These two parallel double zipper profiles are typically on a bag, reclosable package or flexible container, on an open end thereof. The bag, reclosable package or flexible container is typically, but not necessarily, a vacuum bag. The purpose of the hand held closing tool is for the operator to manually place it on the double zipper, at one end of the zipper on the open bag, and when it is in its proper position relative to both of the double zipper profiles, to close (and possibly lock close) the tool. The user then typically pulls or draws by hand the closed tool all the way across the full width of the initially open double zipper profiles, typically resulting in both of the double zipper profiles being fully closed, mated or joined across the entire width of the bag, typically resulting in a fully closed sealed bag or flexible container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Further objects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in the open position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in the closed position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a first perspective view of the first embodiment of the present disclosure engaging a reclosable double zipper. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a second perspective view of the first embodiment of the present disclosure engaging a reclosable double zipper. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of the third embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in the open position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of the third embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in the closed position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a first perspective view of the rollers of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a second perspective view of the rollers of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the rollers of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure engaging the zipper of a reclosable bag. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure engaging the zipper of a reclosable bag 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of a zipper which typically may be used for vacuum bags. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a further cross-sectional view of the zipper of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a plan view, partially in phantom, of the zipper of  FIGS. 16 and 17 , as secured to a vacuum bag. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view along plane  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  illustrates a first configuration of the zipper engaged within an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  illustrates a second configuration of the zipper engaged within an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  illustrates a third configuration of the zipper engaged within an embodiment of the present disclosure 
           [0033]      FIG. 23  illustrates a fourth configuration of the zipper engaged within an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one sees that  FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of a first embodiment of the hand-held double zipper profile closing tool  10  of the present disclosure. Closing tool  10  includes first and second tool portions  12 ,  14 , typically made of steel or another similar metal, which pivot with respect to each other around bolt  16  thereby achieving a reciprocating pliers-type configuration. First and second tool portions  12 ,  14  include respective first and second handle portions  18 ,  20  which are typically coated or encased with respective portions  22 ,  24  of rubber or similar material to make manual operation of closing tool  10  more comfortable. First and second tool portions  12 ,  14  further include respective first and second zipper engaging portions  26 ,  28 . In the orientation of  FIG. 1 , first handle portion  22  is illustrated as being above second handle portion  24 , with first tool portion  12  crossing through a notch  30  in second tool portion  14  (bolt  16  passing through an unillustrated aperture in first tool portion  12  and notch  30  of second tool portion  14 ) so that second zipper profile engaging portion  28  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as being above first zipper profile engaging portion  26 . In this configuration, the manual urging or squeezing of first handle portion  18  toward second handle portion  20  causes the first and second zipper profile engaging portions  26 ,  28  to move toward each other. Coil spring  32  is configured between the first and second zipper profile engaging portions  26 ,  28  in order to bias the zipper profile engaging portions apart in the absence of manual forces on the handle portions  18 ,  20 . Additionally, set screw  34  passes through threaded aperture  35  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 1 ) in second zipper profile engaging portion  28  and protrudes toward first zipper engaging portion  26  so that the position of the tip of set screw  34  can be adjusted to maintain a minimum distance between the first and second zipper profile engaging portions  26 ,  28  during the reciprocation of the first and second tool portions  12 ,  14  with respect to each other. 
         [0035]    First zipper profile engaging portion  26  includes first and second zipper engaging rollers  40 ,  42  which are journaled for rotation about respective parallel axes  41 ,  43 , formed perpendicularly to the first zipper profile engaging portion  26 . Similarly, second zipper profile engaging portion  28  includes third and fourth zipper engaging rollers  44 ,  46  which are journaled for rotation about respective parallel axes  45 ,  47  formed perpendicularly to the second zipper profile engaging portion  28 . First zipper engaging roller  40  is generally opposed to third zipper engaging roller  44  and second zipper engaging roller  42  is generally opposed to fourth zipper engaging roller  46 . 
         [0036]    Zipper engaging rollers  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  have successive cylindrical portions of differing diameters, the dimensions of which are chosen for the particular configurations of the zippers for the given application. Examples of possible roller configurations are shown in  FIGS. 20-23 . Those skilled in the art would be able to determine these dimensions after review of this disclosure. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  disclose a second embodiment of the closing tool  10 , which is very similar to the pliers-type embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . This second embodiment further includes first and second handle offset portions  48 ,  50  which are interposed between respective first and second handle portions  18 ,  20  and respective first and second zipper profile engaging portions  26 ,  28  thereby allowing the user&#39;s hand to be somewhat more removed from the passing reclosable package or bag and zipper profiles. In this second embodiment, the coil spring  32  is located in a position between the first and second handle offset portions  48 ,  50 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the zipper engaging rollers  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  of closing tool  10  engaging a reclosable package or bag  1000 , including first and second female profiles  202 ,  302  and corresponding or respective first and second male profiles  204 ,  304 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10  illustrate a third embodiment of the closing tool  10 . This embodiment may be referred to as a “box” embodiment or configuration. The closing tool  10  of  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10  includes a body  52  with bottom wall  54 , first shorter sidewall  56 , a second longer sidewall  58  and a partial upper wall  60 . First and second zipper engaging rollers  40 ,  42  which are journaled for rotation about respective parallel axes  41 ,  43 . Partial upper wall  60  supports pivot housing  61 . Pivot axis  62  is formed between second longer side wall  58  and pivot housing  61 . Roller support element  64  is pivotably mounted on pivot axis  62 . Roller support element  64  includes a framework with parallel first and second side elements  66 ,  68  and cross element  70 . Third and fourth zipper engaging rollers  44 ,  46  are journaled for rotation about respective parallel axes  45 ,  47  which extend between first and second side elements  66 ,  68  of roller support element  64 . Second side element  68  further includes boss  74  which extends into curved slot  76  in second longer sidewall  58  and travels therewithin as roller support element  64  pivots between an open position as shown in  FIG. 9  and a closed position as shown in  FIG. 10 . In the closed position of  FIG. 10 , the zipper engaging rollers  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  engage the reclosable bag  1000  and the double zipper similarly to the configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Similar to previous embodiments, in the closed first zipper engaging roller  40  is generally opposed to third zipper engaging roller  44  and second zipper engaging roller  42  is generally opposed to fourth zipper engaging roller  46 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 11-15  illustrate a fourth embodiment of closing tool  10 . This embodiment may be referred to as a “book” embodiment or configuration. The closing tool  10  of  FIGS. 11-15  includes first and second panels  80 ,  82  which are hinged with respect to each other by hinge  84  in a book-like or clamshell-like configuration. First panel  80  includes first and second zipper engaging rollers  40 ,  42  which are journaled for rotation about respective parallel axes  41 ,  43 . Likewise, second panel includes third and fourth zipper engaging rollers  44 ,  46  are journaled for rotation about respective parallel axes  45 ,  47 . Similar to previous embodiments, in the closed position, first zipper engaging roller  40  is generally opposed to third zipper engaging roller  44  and second zipper engaging roller  42  is generally opposed to fourth zipper engaging roller  46 .  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate the relationship of the various rollers prior to full closing of the closing tool  10  while  FIG. 14  illustrates the closing tool  10  fully engaging the first and second female profiles  202 ,  302  with respective or corresponding first and second male profiles  204 ,  304  of the reclosable package  1000 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate a possible cross section of reclosable package  1000 , including package walls  1002 ,  1004  which are exterior to respective male and female double zipper profiles  402 ,  404 . Male double zipper profile  402  includes first and second male elements  204 ,  304  while female double zipper profile  404  includes respective or corresponding first and second female elements  202 ,  302 . The right of  FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrates the consumer side of the package  1000  while the left of  FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrates the product side of the package  1000 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 18 and 19  are further views of reclosable package  1000 . A film-to-film cross seal  1006  is formed at the edge of reclosable package  1000  between package walls  1002 ,  1004 , while package walls  1002 ,  1004  are sealed to respective male and female double zipper profiles  402 ,  404  in seal area  1008 . Further, guide bump or protrusion  1012  may be formed proximate to an edge of reclosable package, typically in an intermediate position between the junctions of first female and male zipper elements  202 ,  204  and second female and male zipper elements  302 ,  304 . As shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , the zipper engaging rollers  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  may include a central groove  90  for engaging guide bump or protrusion  1012 , thereby aiding in maintaining registration of the zipper within the closing tool  10 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 20-23  illustrate various possible embodiments for the profile of zipper engaging rollers  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 .  FIG. 20  illustrates an embodiment wherein the zipper engaging rollers  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  have a broad central circumferential groove  84 , the walls of which engage the thickness of the zipper elements  202 ,  204 ,  302 ,  304 .  FIG. 21  illustrates an embodiment wherein the zipper engaging rollers  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  include first and second circumferential grooves  86 ,  88  (separated by land  87 ) for engaging, respectively, the first female and male zipper profiles  202 ,  302  and the second female and male zipper profiles  204 ,  304 .  FIG. 22  is similar to  FIG. 20  but further includes a central groove  90  (within broad central circumferential groove  84 ) for engaging guide bump or protrusion  1012 , thereby aiding in maintaining registration of the zipper with the closing tool.  FIG. 23  is similar to  FIG. 21 , but further includes protruding walls  92 ,  94  to more sharply define central groove  90  thereby more robustly engaging guide bump or protrusion  1012 . 
         [0044]    Additionally, closing tools  10  may include visual alignment marks on the tool to line up the double zippers with the rollers and/or a wind or out-out in or on the closing tool to allow the operator to visually see the roller/zipper relationship. The rollers  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  themselves could have different colored sections. For example, the roller section outside the outer zipper profiles of both zippers, where the roller diameter is the greatest, could be a light color (white), while the section of the roller inboard of this having the grooves to accept and close the zipper profiles could be a dark color, such as black. Any combination of differing contrasts would help the operator visually see the roller/zipper relationship. 
         [0045]    To use the various disclosed embodiments of the closing tool  10 , the user engages the closing tool  10  around the double zipper profile of the reclosable package, bag or similar item, assures that proper alignment has been achieved, and draws the closing tool  10  across the width of the reclosable package, bag or similar item. 
         [0046]    Thus the several aforementioned objects 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.