Patent Publication Number: US-2007098305-A1

Title: Slider End Stop For A Reclosable Bag and Methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/733,011, filed Nov. 2, 2005, entitled “Slider End Stop For a Reclosable Bag and Method”, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present disclosure relates to a closure arrangement for a reclosable package. More particularly, the invention relates to closure arrangement having a slider end stop.  
     BACKGROUND  
      Reclosable packages and bags are used in many different applications. Reclosable bags, for example, often have zipper arrangements for sealing products within the bags. The zipper arrangements typically include a zipper profile having male and female profiles that interlock when pressed together along the length of the zipper. A slider can be used to press the male and female profiles together to close the bags. In such arrangements, the slider is also used to unlock the male and female profiles to open the bags.  
      Conventional zipper arrangements utilized a number of end stop configurations to prevent the slider from separating from or coming off the end of the zipper profile. Some end stop configurations are formed by heating a portion of the zipper profile, or by using ultrasonic technology to form the end stop. Other end stop configurations include applying glue to an outer surface of the zipper profile or attaching a strap to the zipper profile. Yet, with each of these end stop configurations, the slider still has a tendency to come off the end of the zipper profile.  
      Consequently, a need exists for an improved end stop that prevents a slider from coming off the end of a zipper profile.  
     SUMMARY  
      One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a zipper profile arrangement including a reclosable zipper profile, a slider for opening and closing the reclosable zipper profile, and end stops located at opposite ends of the reclosable zipper profile. The end stops include glue or adhesive disposed between either members or ears of the reclosable zipper profile. The end stops prevent the slider from separating from the reclosable zipper profile.  
      Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a paper bag having a zipper profile arrangement including a plastic zipper profile and a plastic slider for opening and closing the zipper profile. The bag includes a flap portion that encloses the zipper profile arrangement.  
      A variety of examples of desirable product features or methods are set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing various aspects of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate to individual features as well as combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the claimed invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a package having a reclosable zipper arrangement, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the reclosable zipper arrangement of  FIG. 1 , showing one embodiment of a zipper profile and a slider;  
       FIG. 3  is a partially exploded view of the reclosable zipper arrangement of  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the zipper profile of  FIG. 2 , taken along line  4 - 4 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a zipper profile that can be used in the reclosable zipper arrangement of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the zipper profile of  FIG. 5 , shown with an end stop, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the zipper profile of  FIG. 6 , taken along line  7 - 7 ;  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the zipper profile of  FIG. 6 , illustrating one method of manufacture;  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the zipper profile of  FIG. 2 , illustrating another method of manufacture;  
       FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of the zipper profile of  FIG. 6 , showing one type of a manufacture treatment;  
       FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of the zipper profile of  FIG. 2 , showing another type of a manufacture treatment;  
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a zipper profile, shown with an end stop, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the package having a zipper profile as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , showing another embodiment of a end stop, in accordance with the principles disclosed;  
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the zipper profile and end stop of  FIG. 13 , taken along line  14 - 14 ;  
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a bag including a reclosable zipper arrangement, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; and  
       FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the bag of  FIG. 15 , shown with the reclosable zipper arrangement enclosed by a flap portion of the bag. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Reference will now be made in detail to various features of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.  
       FIGS. 1-9  illustrate embodiments of reclosable zipper arrangements  10  having features that are examples of how inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure may be practiced. Preferred features are adapted for preventing separation of the various components of the zipper arrangement  10  to provide a consumer with a reliable reclosable arrangement that accommodates extended and repeated use a bag, for example.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a zipper profile arrangement  10  is illustrated. The zipper profile arrangement  10  is provided on a package  12 . The zipper profile arrangement  10  can be selectively opened to access an interior of the package  12 , and selectively closed to seal the package. In the illustrated embodiment, the package  12  is made of a package film  14 , such as a flexible package film, having a surrounding wall  16  that defines the interior. A mouth  18  provides access to the interior of the package. The zipper profile arrangement  10  is oriented along the mouth  18  of the package  12  to provide selective opening and closing of the mouth.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the zipper profile arrangement  10  includes a reclosable zipper profile  30 . The reclosable zipper profile  30  includes a first zipper profile  22  and a second zipper profile  24  that opposes the first zipper profile. The zipper profile arrangement  10  also includes a slider  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first zipper profile  22 , the second zipper profile  24 , and the slider  20  are made of plastic, preferably a thermoplastic.  
      The slider  20  is mounted on the first and second zipper profiles  22 ,  24 , and is constructed to selectively mate and un-mate the first and second zipper profiles  22 ,  24  in response to moving or sliding the slider  20  along the zipper profile  30 . For example, the slider  20  can move along the zipper profile in a first direction (represented by arrow A) to mate the zipper profiles and close the package  12 . The slider  20  can also move along the zipper profile  30  in an opposite second direction (represented by arrow B) to un-mate the zipper profiles and open the package  12 .  
      Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the first zipper profile  22  of the reclosable zipper profile  30  has a first end  26  and an opposite second end  28 . The second zipper profile  24  also has a first end  32  and an opposite second end  34 . The first end  26  of the first zipper profile  22  and the first end  32  second zipper profile  24  oppose one another to define a first zipper end  36  ( FIG. 2 ) of the reclosable zipper profile  30 . The second end  28  of the first zipper profile  22  and the second end  34  of the second zipper profile  24  oppose one another to define a second zipper end  38  ( FIG. 2 ) of the reclosable zipper profile  30 .  
      Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the first zipper profile  22  includes a first profile member  42  and a first ear  44  extending from the first profile member  42 . The first profile member  42  and the first ear  44  extend along the length of the first zipper profile  22 . The second zipper profile  24  includes a second profile member  46  and a second ear  48  extending from the second profile member  46 . The second profile member  46  and the second ear  48  extend along the length of the second zipper profile  24 .  
      Each of the first and second profile members  42 ,  46  of the first and second zipper profiles  22 ,  24  includes an interlocking element  54 . The interlocking elements  54  engage one another (as shown) to seal the package  12  when the zipper profile  30  is closed. The slider  20  ( FIG. 2 ) is configured and arranged to engage and interlock the elements  54 . The slider  20  also disengages the elements  54  when the zipper profile  30  is opened. Many different embodiments of the zipper profiles  22 ,  24  are useable. In the particular ones shown, the interlocking elements  54  have J-shaped cross-sections. The second zipper profile  24  also includes a post  55  that helps the interlocking elements  54  maintain a mated or interlocked orientation.  
      Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the zipper profile arrangement  10  of the present disclosure also includes first and second end stops  50 ,  52 . In the embodiment shown, the first end stop  50  is located at the first zipper end  36  of the reclosable zipper profile  30 . In the embodiment shown, the second end stop  52  is located at the second zipper end  38  of the reclosable zipper profile  30 . The end stops  50 ,  52  are constructed and arranged to limit motion of the slider  20  so that the slider does not separate from the zipper profile  30 . While the end stops  50 ,  52  in this embodiment are shown at the ends  36 ,  38  of the zipper profile  30 , it should be understood that in other embodiments, the end stops  50 ,  52  can be at any point along the zipper profile  30 , depending on where it is desired to limit motion of the slider  20 .  
      In the illustrated embodiment, the end stops  50 ,  52  are made from first and second volumes of glue or adhesive  56 ,  58 . The volumes of adhesive  56 ,  58  are disposed at the each of the zipper ends  36 ,  38  between the first and second ears  44 ,  48  of the first and second opposing zipper profiles  22 ,  24 . In an alternative embodiment, such as shown in  FIG. 12 , end stops  250  (only one shown) can be made from volumes of adhesive disposed between first and second profile members  242 ,  246 , instead of between first and second ears. That is, the end stops can be provided on a reclosable zipper profile  230  without ears, in accordance with the principles disclosed.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 5 , apertures or holes  60  may be formed in each of the first and second ears  44 ,  48  of the first and second zipper profiles  22 ,  24 . In one method of manufacture, the apertures  60  are punched into the ears  44 ,  48  by a punch press, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures  60  are located in each of the ears  44 ,  48  adjacent to each of the first and second ends  36 ,  38  of the reclosable zipper profile  30 . Referring to  FIG. 12 , apertures  260  may similarly be formed in the profile members  242 ,  246 .  
      In the reclosable zipper profile embodiments of  FIGS. 5 and 12 , the end stops (e.g.  50 ) each include first and second adhesive portions  62 ,  64  ( FIG. 7 ) located within the apertures  60 . The first and second adhesive portions  62 ,  64  are connected by a primary portion  66  of the volume of adhesive (e.g.  56 ). The first and second adhesive portions  62 ,  64  located within the apertures  60 , and the primary portion  66  of the volume of adhesive  56 , connect the first ear  44  of the first zipper profile  22  to the second ear  48  of the second zipper profile  24  at the zipper ends  36 ,  38 . The construction of this end stop embodiment functions somewhat like a rivet to provide enhanced structural integrity of the zipper profile arrangement  10  in certain applications where extra structural strength is required.  
      In an alternative embodiment, the first and second ears  44 ,  48  of the first and second zipper profiles  22 ,  24  (or the profile members  242 ,  246  of  FIG. 12 ) can include a plurality of apertures or holes  60  (shown in dashed line in  FIG. 8 ) to form end stops as previously described. The apertures of the illustrated embodiments can include circular holes, or other shaped holes that aid in enhancing the bond between the adhesive and the zipper profile  30 , or that aid in enhancing the structural integrity of the zipper profile arrangement  10 , for example.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , another embodiment of a first end stop  350  and a second end stop  352  is illustrated. Similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the end stops  350 ,  352  are made up of a volume of glue  356 ,  358  deposited between first and second ears  344 ,  348  of a reclosable zipper profile  330 , as opposed to between first and second profile members  342 ,  346 . Each of the volumes of glue or adhesive  356 ,  358  in this embodiment, however, is of an amount such that the volume overflows the first and second ears  344 ,  348  of the zipper profile  330 .  
      By providing volumes of glue  356 ,  358  that overflow the ears  344 ,  348 , the end stops (e.g.  350  in  FIG. 14 ) have a first inner stop portion  392  and a second outer stop portion  394 . The first inner stop portion  392  is the volume of adhesive disposed between the first and second ears  344 ,  348  of the zipper profile  330 . The second outer stop portion  394  is the overflow of adhesive that flows or extends over, and is located above, a top edge  398 ,  399  ( FIG. 14 ) of the respective first and second ears  344 ,  348 . In other words, the first inner stop portion  392  of the end stop is the portion disposed adjacent to opposing inner surfaces  374 ,  378  of the first and second ears  344 ,  348 ; while the second outer stop portion  394  of the end stop is the portion disposed adjacent to outer surfaces  376 ,  378  of the first and second ears  344 ,  348 .  
      The illustrated end stops of  FIGS. 13 and 14  prevent a slider  320  from sliding off the zipper profile  330  in two ways. In the first way, similar to the previous embodiments, the inner stop portion  392  contacts a plow  388  ( FIG. 13 ) of the zipper  320  to prevent the zipper from sliding of the end of the zipper profile  330 . In another way, the outer stop portion  294  of the end stops  350 ,  352  contacts respective end portions or shoulders  396 ,  398  of the zipper  320  ( FIG. 13 ) to prevent the zipper from sliding of the end of the zipper profile  330 .  
      Referring now to  FIG. 8 , one method of manufacturing the disclosed end stop embodiments of the zipper profile arrangement  10  is illustrated. During manufacture, a continuous length or web  90  of reclosable zipper profile is provided, which is subsequently cut to a number of desired lengths.  
      The method of manufacturing includes opening the zipper profile (e.g.  30 ) with a spreader system  70  that moves along the web  90  in a direction (shown by arrow C). The illustrated spreader system  70  includes a profile block  72  that spreads apart the first and second ears  44 ,  48  of the first and second zipper profiles  22 ,  24 . As the spreader system  70  move along the web  90 , the volumes of adhesive  56 ,  58  are applied or deposited between the spread ears  44 ,  48  of the zipper profile  30  at predefined locations  100 . The adhesive can be applied by use of a nozzle  80 , for example. Once the volume of adhesive is applied, the ears  44 ,  48  of the zipper profile  30  are released and re-closed to contact the adhesive. Releasing and re-closing the ears  44 ,  48  squeezes the volume of adhesive so that the adhesive spreads within the space provided between the ears. In arrangements having apertures, the volume of adhesive is squeezed to flow into and/or through the apertures  60 . The adhesive is then permitted to cure and bond to the ears  44 ,  48  and to the apertures  60  formed in the ears. The cured volumes of adhesive define the end stops  50 ,  52 .  
      Referring now to  FIG. 9 , another method of manufacturing the end stops includes treating or applying a treatment  82  to opposing inner surfaces  74 ,  78  of the first and second ears  44 ,  48 . The treatment of the inner surfaces  74 ,  78  can be performed only at the predefined locations  100 , or along the entire length of the web  90 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , one treatment  82  that can be used involves roughening or pitting  84  the inner surfaces  74 ,  78  of the zipper profile  30 . Roughening or pitting  84  the inner surfaces increases the surface area to which the adhesive can bond; thereby enhancing the strength of the bond between the zipper profile  30  and the adhesive  56 ,  58 . In one method, the roughening or pitting  84  can be created by a Corona Treater machine, for example.  
      In yet another method, the opposing inner surfaces  74 ,  78  of the first and second ears  44 ,  48  are knurled or roughened  86 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . Knurling the inner surfaces also increases the surface area to which the adhesive can bond; thereby enhancing the strength of the bond between the zipper profile  30  and the adhesive  56 ,  58 . As can be understood, enhancing the bond by pitting or knurling the inner surfaces  72 ,  74  can be applied to a zipper profile  30  with or with holes  60  formed in the ears  44 ,  48  (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ).  
      And, in still another embodiment, the volumes of adhesive  56 ,  58  applied between the ears can include adhesive with reinforcing fibers. The reinforcing fibers function to increase the structural integrity and cohesive strength of the adhesive. The reinforcing fibers can include, carbon fiber chains, for example.  
      As can be understood, each of the methods of manufacture previously described can be similarly applied to the manufacture of each of the embodiments disclosed herein.  
      Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in use, the slider  20  moves along the zipper profile in either of the first direction A to close the package  12 , or the second opposite direction B to open the package  12 . When either opening or closing the package, the slider  20  moves or slides along the zipper profile  30  until the slider  20  abuts or contacts one of the end stops  50 ,  52 . The end stops  50 ,  52  of the zipper profile arrangement  10  are constructed to reliably prevent separation the slider  20  from the reclosable zipper profile  30  to ensure repeated functional use of the package.  
      The disclosed zipper profile arrangement  10  can be used on a variety of packaging configurations, and used for sealing packages containing a variety of materials or goods. In one preferred embodiment, the disclosed zipper profile arrangement  10  is used on the packaging of bulk dry goods, such as pet food, for example. Referring to  FIG. 15 , one example bag  1   10  having a closure arrangement  112  that incorporates the disclosed zipper profile arrangement  10  is shown. The bag  110  includes an outer package material  114  that defines an opening or mouth  126 . In the illustrated embodiment, the outer package material  114  includes a paper material. The outer paper package material can include multiple plies of papers, or be of a single ply of paper material, depending upon the product or goods contained within the bag  110 .  
      The outer package material  114  and the zipper profile arrangement  10  are joined by gluing or adhering the package film  14  of the package  12  shown in  FIG. 1  to an inside  128  ( FIG. 16 ) of the outer package material  114 . In some embodiments, only a portion of the package film  14  is provided and adhered to the outer package material  114 ; in other embodiments, the entire surrounding wall  16  ( FIG. 1 ) of the package film  14  can be adhered to the outer package material  114 . In one embodiment, the package film  14  includes an inner polyethylene layer or film, for example. The inner polyethylene layer can be used in bags containing products for which it is desirable to retain moisture within the bag  110  or prevent moisture from entering the bag.  
      The package film  14  or portion of package film of the package  12  is secured to the inside  128  ( FIG. 16 ) of the outer package material  114  along and adjacent to a top edge  116  of the outer package material  114 . In particular, the package film  14  is secured to the outer package material  114  such that the zipper profile arrangement  10  is located at the mouth  126  of the outer package material  114 .  
      The outer package material  114  includes a first side  118  and a second side  120 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , in the illustrated embodiment, the zipper profile arrangement  10  extends above the top edge  116  of the outer package material  114  at the first side  118  of the outer package material. At the second opposite side  120  of the outer package material  114 , a flap portion  122  extends above the zipper profile arrangement  10 . The flap portion  122  is used to enclose the zipper profile arrangement  10  so that the zipper profile arrangement  10  is not inadvertently opened prior to use.  
      In particular, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the flap portion  122  and the reclosable zipper profile  30  of the zipper profile arrangement  10  fold over so that the flap portion  122  covers the folded, reclosable zipper profile  30 . The extended flap portion  122  of the second side  120  of the outer package material  114  is secured to the first side  118  of the outer package material  114  in the folded orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, a release ribbon or strip  124  (see also  FIG. 15 ) is provided adjacent to the reclosable zipper profile  30 . The release ribbon  124  is glued or adhered to the inside  128  of the flap portion  122  of the bag  110  adjacent to the reclosable zipper profile  30 . When the release ribbon  124  is pulled, the ribbon cuts through the flap portion  122  to provide access to the zipper  20  of the reclosable zipper profile  30 .  
      To manufacture the bag  110  shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , a continuous length or web  90  ( FIG. 8 ) of reclosable zipper profile is provided. Each of the slider  20  and the end stops (e.g.  52 ,  FIG. 16 ) is attached and applied to the reclosable zipper profile  30 , as previously described. The web  90  of reclosable zipper profile is then cut into discrete zipper profile elements (e.g.  30 ) having a length. The element is glued or adhered to the inside  128  of the outer package material  114 . The zipper profile element (e.g.  30 ) and the flap portion  122  are folded in a U-shaped configuration; and the flap portion  122  is glued or adhered to the outer package material  114 .  
      The above described paper bag  110  and closure arrangement  112  is easier and more convenient to use in comparison to conventional closure arrangements used on paper bags. Typical paper bag closure arrangements include string sewn closures and metal zippers. Conventional paper bags having string sewn closures are often difficult to initially open and do not permit reclosure. The disclosed arrangement  10  provides an easy to use and reclosable closure arrangement that eliminates the problems associated with string sewn closures.  
      The disclosed paper bag  110  is also more convenient to use and reliable than conventional paper bags having metal zippers. Metal zippers have teeth that interlock and engage one another to close or seal a bag. The teeth of the metal zipper of such bags often become clogged or fouled with the bulk product contained within the bag, rendering the metal zipper inoperable. The zipper profile arrangement  10  of the present disclosure provides a toothless zipper profile arrangement, that is, an arrangement that does not have interlocking or engaging teeth. The toothless zipper profiles of the disclosed arrangement  10  provide an easy to use, reliable reclosing closure arrangement that eliminates the problems associated with metal zipper closures.  
      The above specification provides a complete description of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, certain aspects of the invention reside in the claims hereinafter appended.