Patent Publication Number: US-6698926-B2

Title: Profile cleaning slider

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally related to a closure arrangement for polymer packages, such as plastic bags. More particularly, the present invention relates to a slider device for use along a zipper-type closure for a resealable package. 
     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 many other 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. 
     Some perishable goods contained within the resealable package, such as shredded cheese, are small in size or granular in nature and can become entrapped within the closure profiles after the package has been opened and a portion of the product removed. If the product becomes lodged in the profile elements, the product can reduce the performance of the resealable zipper closure by blocking the insertion of the male profile element into the female profile element. When this type of situation occurs, the user is required to physically remove the entrapped particles prior to again attempting to close the zipper by engaging the first and second closure profiles. Such step clearly reduces the effectiveness of the slider device. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved slider device that includes a mechanism for removing product from within the closure profiles prior to the closure profiles being moved into engagement with each other. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a slider device for use along a zipper closure that closes the mouth of a flexible, reclosable package. The slider device includes means for dislodging particles from within the zipper closure as the slider device is moved to close the product package. 
     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 first closure profile includes an open channel extending along its length and defined by a first closure post and a first guide post. The open channel receives a second closure post formed on the opposite, second closure profile. The second closure profile also includes a second open channel extending along its length and defined by a second guide post and a second closure post. The second open channel is configured to receive the first closure post when the first and second closure profiles are brought into engagement. 
     During normal use of the zipper closure, fine particles of a product can become entrapped within either the first or second open channels on the first and second closure profiles. The entrapped particles prevent proper engagement of the first and second closure profiles. 
     The slider device is configured to interlock the first closure profile with the second closure profile when the slider device is moved in a first direction. The slider device is further configured to disengage the first closure profile from the second closure profile when the slider device is moved in a second, opposite direction. 
     The slider device of the present invention includes a cleaning plow that extends from a first end of the slider device. The cleaning plow extending from the first end of the slider device is configured to be received within both the first open channel formed on the first closure profile and the second open channel formed on the second closure profile. The cleaning plow is received in the open channels of the closure profiles when the slider device is moved in the first direction to interlock the closure profiles. 
     Specifically, the cleaning plow includes a main body joined to the slider device. The main body includes a first cleaning projection that is received within the first open channel and a second cleaning projection that is received in the second open channel of the second closure profile. The first and second cleaning projections extend in opposite directions for the main body and are configured to be received in the first and second open channels. 
     In accordance with the invention, as the slider device is moved along the length of the zipper closure in the first direction to interlock the first closure profile with the second closure profile, the cleaning plow is pushed along the length of the first and second open channels defined by the first and second closure profiles. As the slider device continues to move along the length of the closure profiles, particles entrapped within the open channels are pushed in front of the cleaning plow. Thus, the cleaning plow operates to remove product particles from within the zipper closure prior to engagement of the first closure profile with the second closure profile. 
     The first closure profile and the second closure profile each include a cleaner relief formed near a first end of the product package. At least a portion of the first cleaner relief formed in the first closure profile extents into the first open channel of the first closure profile, while at least a portion of the second cleaner relief formed in the second closure profile extends into the second open channel formed in the second closure profile. As the slider device moves to its fully closed position, the cleaning plow pushes debris from each of the open channels out of the respective cleaner relief. 
     When the zipper is completely closed and the slider device is in its fully closed position, the first and second cleaning projections of the cleaning plow extend through the cleaner reliefs and help retain the slider device in its home, fully closed position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible, reclosable package having a zipper closure and a slider device; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the zipper closure, without the slider device disposed thereon; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the interaction between the cleaning plow of the slider device and the zipper closure to remove debris from the zipper closure; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating the movement of the slider device along the zipper closure; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the slider device positioned along the zipper closure; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the slider device in its home, fully closed position; 
     FIG. 7 is a section view taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 4 showing the cleaning plow within the zipper closure; and 
     FIG. 8 is a section view of the slider device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Flexible packages having zipper closures are common in today&#39;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. 1 illustrates a flexible, reclosable package  10 . The flexible package  10  has a first and a second polymeric film side panels  12  and  14  defining an open interior  16 . The flexible package  10  includes a pair of side edges  18  and  20  and a bottom edge  22 . The pair of side panels  12  and  14  are connected to each other along the side edges  18  and  20  as well as the bottom edge  22  to form the open interior  16  of the package  10 . The first side edge  18  and the second side edge  20  are seals created by the application of heat and pressure for a set period to the side panels  12  and  14 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, a mouth  24  provides access to the interior  16  of the package  10  along the top of the package. A zipper closure  26  is formed along the mouth  24  and extends from the first side edge  18  to the second side edge  20 . The zipper closure  26  can include a variety of configurations and structures. 
     A slider device  28  is mounted on the zipper closure  26  to facilitate opening and closing of the zipper closure  26 . The slider device  28  and its function to open and close the zipper closure  26 , in general, are taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,063,644; 5,301,394; 5,442,837 and 5,664,329, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, thereshown is the zipper closure  26  utilized in the present invention. Although a specific embodiment of the zipper closure  26  is shown in FIG. 2, it should be understood that various other configurations for the zipper closure  26  could be used while falling within the scope of the present invention. The zipper closure  26  has a first closure profile  30  and a second closure profile  32 . Specifically, the first closure profile  30  has a first interlocking profile  34  and the second closure profile  32  has a second interlocking profile  36 . The first and second interlocking profiles  34  and  36  are arranged and constructed to interlock and provide a seal across the mouth of the package. 
     First and second closure profiles  30  and  32  include first and second sealing flanges  38  and  40  that are used to secure the closure profiles  30  and  32  to the respective side panels of the reclosable package. The first closure profile  30  includes a first upper flange  42  while the second closure profile  32  includes a second upper flange  44 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first closure profile  30  includes a first closure post  46  that terminates with a hook portion  48 . The first closure post  46  receives and engages a second closure post  50  formed on the second closure profile  32 . The second closure post  50  also includes a hook portion  52  such that mating engagement between the pair of closure profiles  30  and  32  can be effectuated. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first closure post  46  and a first guide post  54  combine to form an open channel  56  therebetween. The open channel  56  extends along the entire length of the first closure profile  30  and is sized to receive the hook portion  52  of the second closure post  50 , as illustrated. Likewise, the second closure post  50  and a second guide post  58  of the second closure profile  32  create and define a second open channel  60  extending along the entire length of the second closure profile  32 . The second open channel  60  is sized to receive the hook portion  48  of the first closure post  46 . In this manner, the first closure profile  30  and the second closure profile  32  can be joined to each other to form the desired seal along the mouth of the flexible package. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, thereshown is a perspective view of the slider device  28  of the present invention as mounted to the first and second closure profiles  30  and  32 . The slider device  28  generally extends between a first end  62  and a second end  64  and includes a grasping portion  65 . As can be seen in FIG. 8, the slider device includes a top wall  66  and a pair of sidewalls  68  and  70  extending from the top wall  66 . The slider device  28  includes a spreader or plow  72  extending or projecting from the upper wall  66 . In the embodiment illustrated, the spreader  72  comprises first and second angled wedges  74  and  76  separated by a gap. 
     During use of the slider device  28 , the spreader  72  positioned near the first end of the slide device  28  is used to guide the first and second closure profiles  30 ,  32  toward each other when the slider device  28  is moved in a first direction and separate the first and second closure profile  30 ,  32  when the slider device  28  is moved in a second, opposite direction. 
     Referring back to FIG. 3, the slider device  28  of the present invention includes a cleaning plow  78  that extends from the first end  62  of the slider device  28 . The cleaning plow  78  is configured such that the cleaning plow  78  removes debris from the first open channel  56  of the first closure profile  30  and the second open channel  60  of the second closure profile  32  when the slider device  28  is moved in the first direction illustrated by arrow  80  in FIG.  3 . The cleaning plow  78  thus allows the slider device  26  to clean out the open channels  56 ,  60  prior to the first closure profile  30  engaging the second closure profile  32 . In this manner, the cleaning plow  78  provides for a more consistent closing of the zipper closure  26 , especially when the package includes small particles of material that could be entrapped in the open channels  56  and  60 . 
     As can be seen in FIG. 4, the cleaning plow  78  projects from the first end  62  of the slider device  28 . The width of the cleaning plow  78  is such that the cleaning plow  78  contacts both of the first closure profile  30  and the second closure profile  32  prior to the closure profiles being guided into an interlocking condition by the spreader  72  formed along the slider device  28 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, thereshown is a section view of the cleaning plow  78 . As illustrated, the cleaning plow  78  is a solid, molded plastic structure that includes a main body  81 , a first cleaning projection  82  and a second cleaning projection  84 . The main body  81  is integrally formed with the slider device  28 , as shown in FIG.  3 . Referring back to FIG. 7, the first cleaning projection  82  extends laterally from the main body  81  and is configured to be received within the first open channel  56  formed between the first guide post  54  and the first closure post  46 . Likewise, the second cleaning projection  84  extends in the opposite, lateral direction from the main body  81  and is configured to be received in the second open channel  60  formed between the second closure post  50  and the second guide post  58   
     As can be understood in FIG. 7, when the cleaning plow  78  is moved along the length of the zipper closure  26 , the first cleaning projection  82  removes debris from the first open channel  56 , while the second cleaning projection  84  removes debris from the second open channel  60 . After debris has been removed, the first and second closure profiles  30 ,  32  are brought into engagement by the slider device  28 , as illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     Although a specific shape for the cleaning plow  78  is shown in FIG. 7, it is contemplated by the inventor that the shape of the cleaning plow  78  could have many other configurations, as long as a first cleaning projection  82  and a second cleaning projection  84  removed the debris from the open channels  56  and  60  prior to sealing of the zipper closure  26 . 
     As can be seen in FIG. 4, the width of the cleaning plow  78  is greater than the width of the zipper closure  26  after the first and second closure profiles  30  and  32  have been brought into engagement, as illustrated to the left of the slider device  28  in FIG.  4 . Since the width of the cleaning plow  78  exceeds the width of the zipper closure  26 , a portion of the first and second closure profiles  30 , 32  must be removed to allow the slider device to reach a fully closed position. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, a cleaner relief  86  is formed as a removed section of the second closure profile  32 . The cleaner relief  86  is positioned beneath the top edge  88  of the closure profile  32  such that a bridge section  90  exists between the cleaner relief  86  and the top edge  88  of the second closure profile  32 . The lower portion of the cleaner relief  86  extends into the open channel  60  such that debris pushed along the length of the open channel  60  by the cleaning plow  78  can be pushed out of the package through the cleaner relief  86 . As the slider device  78  is used to close the mouth of the package and bring the first and second closure profiles  30 ,  32  into engagement with each other, debris is slid along the open channels  56  and  60  until the slider device  28  reaches the position shown in FIG.  5 . Further movement of the slider device  28  toward the cleaner relief  86  causes the particles of material to be pushed out of the cleaner relief  86  to the exterior of the product package. In this manner, the cleaner relief  86  provides a location for discharging the product particles that were contained within the open channel  60 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, a corresponding cleaner relief  92  is formed in the first closure profile  30  and is generally aligned with the cleaner relief  86  formed in the second closure profile  32 . Thus, when the slider device  28  reaches its fully closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the cleaning plow  78  discharges debris from the first and second open channels  56 ,  60  and extends through the pair of aligned cleaner reliefs  86  and  92 . The movement of the cleaning plow  78  into alignment with the cleaner reliefs  86 ,  92  allows product to be pushed out of the pair of open channels  56  and  60  to the exterior of the package. 
     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.