Patent Abstract:
A reclosable pouch includes a first bag wall. A second bag wall opposing the first bag wall is joined to the first bag wall to form an interior of the pouch with an opening to the interior. A first male closure element coupled to the first bag wall defines a plurality of deformed segments and a plurality of normal segments alternating along a length thereof. A first female closure element coupled to the second bag wall engages with the first male closure element to seal the opening of the pouch and to generate a first sound. A second female closure element coupled to the second bag wall engages with the second male closure element to seal the opening of the pouch and to generate a second sound differing from the first sound.

Full Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation application of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/813,326, filed Jul. 30, 2015, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/039,041, filed Sep. 27, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,126,735, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/031,984, filed Feb. 22, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,568,031. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present technology relates to closures for reclosable pouches. More specifically, the present technology is directed to a closure mechanism having a female closure element and a male closure element, wherein at least one of the female and male closure element has asymmetric deformation such that, upon engagement, a clicking sound and/or a clicking tactile response is generated more significantly from one side of the closure mechanism than the other side. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Storage bags are well-known in the art. For example, ZIPLOC® brand bags provide a very good and useful reclosable storage bag for storing food or other material. Most storage bags include a first side panel and a second side panel, which side panels are sealed at the edges and bottom, forming the bag having an open top. These bags include reclosable closure mechanisms near the top portion or lips of the bag for opening and closing the bag. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,298 (“the &#39;298 patent”) assigned to S.C. Johnson Home Storage Inc., the assignee herein, discloses closure mechanisms for reclosable pouches. 
         [0004]    The &#39;298 patent discloses a disposable pouch having side walls. The pouch includes first and second closure mechanisms, also known as a double zipper. The first closure mechanism on the lip side comprises a first male closure element and a first female closure element, both of which are substantially symmetrical about a transverse centerline. The first male closure element includes an engagement number having two hook portions that extend from a base. The first female closure element includes a base within a first spaced leg and a second spaced leg extending therefrom. The first female closure element is adapted to receive the first male element when pressure is exerted on the closure elements by the user&#39;s fingers during closing of the bag. 
         [0005]    The second closure mechanism on the bag side of the double zipper in the &#39;298 patent includes a second male closure element and a second female closure element. The second female closure element is substantially the same as the first female closure element. However, the second male closure element includes an engagement member comprising a single hood portion that extends from a base. The second male closure element is substantially asymmetrical about a longitudinal centerline. The closure mechanisms are formed by extrusion. 
         [0006]    The first closure mechanism of the &#39;298 patent exhibits a clicking feel and sound when the bag is opened or closed. Such a clicking feel and sound are created by having intermittent deformations in the first male closure element. These deformed segments are also substantially symmetrical about the transverse centerline thereof. Another example of closure mechanisms with deformed segments is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,727 issued on Aug. 25, 1992 to Dais et al. (“the &#39;727 patent”). The deformed portions may be formed by opposing toothed gripper wheels. Such deformation provides for the clicking sound and/or feel when opening or closing the bag. However, the deformation may not provide for a substantially leak-proof seal, because the deformations or cuts may remove or damage the sealing surfaces. 
         [0007]    On the bag side of the &#39;298 patent, the second male element is not deformed and does not provide for a clicking sound and/or feel. The stem of the second male element is smooth and not deformed to provide an excellent seal. In theory, a good seal is formed between the second male closure element and the second female closure element by engagement of the ends of legs  260  and  262  with the stem of the male member so that potential leaks from poor sealing on the lip side closure mechanism are irrelevant. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    While the current storage bag closure mechanisms have been tremendously successful in the market for storing food, and the like, there is room for improvement, including providing a closure mechanism having a male element that engages a female element, wherein at least one of the female and male elements is asymmetrically deformed to provide a clicking feel and/or sound more substantially from one side or even only from one side when the bag is opened and closed, yet still provide a substantially leak-proof seal. 
         [0009]    The present technology is directed to a reclosable pouch comprising a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom portion that forms the bag with an open top portion for receiving and removing items to be stored, such as food or other material. The pouch further includes at least one closure mechanism near the open top of the bag that provides for a reclosable bag. The closure mechanism comprises a male closure element and a female closure element. The male closure element is asymmetrical and preferably includes one hook extending from an end thereof to engage the female closure element and is asymmetrically deformed to provide a clicking feel and/or sound when the pouch is closed. The male closure element in conjunction with the female closure element will provide a substantially leak-proof seal when the pouch is closed. In an alternative embodiment, the female closure element is asymmetrically deformed. 
         [0010]    The present technology is further directed to a reclosable pouch comprising a body portion having first and second walls and first and second closure mechanisms. The first closure mechanism comprises a first male closure element and a first female closure element, wherein the first male and first female closure elements are disposed on opposing sides of the first and second walls. The second closure mechanism comprises a second male closure element and a second female closure element. The second female closure element has spaced legs and wherein the second male and second female closure elements are disposed on opposing sides of the first and second bag walls. The second male closure element includes an asymmetrical structure having one hook portion extending from an end therefrom to engage the second female closure element. The second male closure element includes deformations on one side thereof to provide a clicking feel and/or sound when the pouch is closed and provides a substantially leak-proof seal. 
         [0011]    The present technology is further directed to a reclosable pouch comprising a body portion having first and second bag walls and first and second closure mechanisms. The first closure mechanism comprises a first male closure element that is substantially symmetric about a longitudinal centerline and a first female closure element, wherein the first female closure element has first and second spaced legs that are substantially symmetric along a longitudinal centerline, and wherein the first male and female closure elements are disposed on opposing sides of the first and second bag walls. The second closure mechanism comprises a second male closure element, and a second female closure element that is substantially identical to the first female element, wherein the second female closure element has third and fourth spaced legs, and wherein the second male and second female closure elements are disposed on opposing sides of the first and second bag walls. The first male closure element includes two hook portions extending from an end thereof to engage the legs of the first female closure element. The second male closure element is asymmetrical and includes one hook portion extending from an end thereof to engage the legs of the second female closure element. The second male closure element is intermittently deformed on at least one side thereof and provides for a clicking feel and/or sound when the pouch is closed. Preferably, the deformations are asymmetric. The novel second male closure element in conjunction with the second female closure element will provide a substantially leak-proof seal when the pouch is closed. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the subject technology is directed to a reclosable pouch including a body portion having first and second bag walls and a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism includes an elongated male closure element having a base, a stem, and an engagement end, as well as a female closure element, wherein the female closure element has first and second spaced legs. The male and female closure elements are disposed on opposing sides of the first and second bag walls. The male closure element is constructed and arranged to engage the legs of the female closure element such that at least one of the male and female elements includes deformations only along one side to create at least one of a clicking feel and a clicking sound when the pouch is closed. In another embodiment, the deformations are intermittent and asymmetric. By asymmetric, it is meant that, without limitation, the deformations may be on only one side or on both sides, but more substantially to better create clicking or just differently shaped on the opposing side. 
         [0013]    The deformations of the male element may be formed by a first toothed gripper wheel and a second smooth gripper wheel being deployed in an opposing manner to form a gap. The first toothed gripper wheel and the second smooth gripper wheel are at approximately 45° angles to form the gap that the male or female closure element passes through. For the male closure element, the gap is of a distance approximately equal to a width of the stem of the male closure element. The pouch may include a second closure mechanism that also creates the clicking sound and/or feel. Preferably, only the male element is deformed and the stem of the male element is substantially unchanged on an opposing side to the deformations to maintain an effective seal. 
         [0014]    The subject technology is also directed to a reclosable pouch including opposing first and second walls joined together to form an interior for storing items and a closure mechanism including a male closure element coupled to the first wall and a female closure element coupled to the second wall. The male closure element has a proximal base adjacent first wall, a stem extending from the base, and a distal end. The male closure element defines a plurality of deformations. The female closure element has first and second spaced legs that define a channel. The male closure element is sized and arranged to interlock in the channel of the female closure element such that a clicking sound is generated at least mostly or even only by the plurality of deformations along one side of the stem during sealing of the closure mechanism. Preferably, during sealing, a clicking tactile cue is also generated by the plurality of deformations along the one side of the stem. The closure mechanism can include a similar or dissimilar pair of second female and male closure elements to be a double zipper configuration, each of which may or may not click as disclosed herein. The second pair of closure elements may also even generate a sound at an audibly different frequency from the first male closure element. Third, fourth, or any number of female and male pairs of closure elements may be provided to produce triple zippers, quad zippers, and so on. The male and female closure elements may be on the same bag walls, respectively, or variably spaced on different walls. 
         [0015]    Another embodiment of the subject technology is directed to a reclosable pouch including first and second opposing walls joined to form a bag, each wall having a lip that forms part of an opening for the bag, and an elongated closure mechanism attached to the walls for sealing the opening. The closure mechanism has at least one female closure element and at least one male closure element having a plurality of deformed portions intermittent a normal portion. On a first side of the male closure element, the sealing surfaces are substantially unchanged from the normal to the deformed portions and gradual ramps define transitions between the normal and deformed portion. On a second side of the male closure element, transitions from the normal to the deformed portions are defined by a substantial step transition so that upon inserting the male closure element into the female closure element, the substantial step transitions create one of a clicking feel or a clicking sound. 
         [0016]    A preferred length of the deformed portions is less than 0.15 of an inch {3.81 mm}. The male closure element includes a base and a stem extending from the base to terminate in an engagement feature. The sealing surfaces are substantially on the stem. The engagement feature has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of a hook, an arrow head, a three-lobed arrow head, a rounded stem, an asymmetrical triangle, and a symmetrical triangle. The female closure element may also define deformed portions having a relatively quiet side and a relatively loud sound producing side. The closure mechanism may be a double zipper that has female and/or male closure elements that produce sound at a different frequency from the first closure mechanism. 
         [0017]    The different embodiments of the present technology will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The following detailed description of specific non-limiting embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like structures are indicated with like reference numbers. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a reclosable thermoplastic storage bag incorporating the present technology. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  through a deformed segment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  through a deformed segment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a toothed gripper wheel or deformer ring for use in a deforming apparatus to manufacture a closure mechanism in accordance with the subject technology. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of the deformer ring of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view of the deformer ring of  FIG. 4A  taken along line  4 C- 4 C of  FIG. 4B . 
           [0025]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a smooth gripper wheel or deformer ring for use in a deforming apparatus to manufacture a closure mechanism in accordance with the subject technology. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5B  is a top view of the deformer ring of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0027]      FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional view of the deformer ring of  FIG. 5A  taken along line  5 C- 5 C of  FIG. 5B . 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  illustrates the toothed gripper wheel and the smooth gripper wheel of  FIGS. 4A and 5A  in forming a male element of the closure mechanism of the present technology. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7A  is a top view of an exemplary male closure element having a normal asymmetric hook type configuration after having been deformed by the toothed smooth gripper wheels in accordance with the subject technology. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of an exemplary male closure element having a normal symmetric arrow head type configuration after having been deformed by the toothed smooth gripper wheels in accordance with the subject technology. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    The present disclosure overcomes many of the prior art problems associated with vented pouches and bags. The advantages, and other features of the technology disclosed herein, will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings, which set forth representative embodiments of the present invention and wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements. 
         [0032]    All relative descriptions herein such as left, right, up, and down are with reference to the Figures, and not meant in a limiting sense. Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated embodiments can be understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of certain embodiments, and therefore, unless otherwise specified, features, components, modules, elements, and/or aspects of the illustrations can be otherwise resized, combined, interconnected, sequenced, separated, interchanged, positioned, and/or rearranged without materially departing from the disclosed systems or methods. The shapes and sizes of components are also exemplary and unless otherwise specified, can be altered without materially affecting or limiting the disclosed technology. Additionally, the representations shown herein may be somewhat idealized in that manufacturing processes typically have variation and approximate the features, which can be drawn with clarity beyond that which can be made. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a reclosable pouch or thermoplastic storage bag  10  with a double zipper closure mechanism in accordance with the subject technology is shown. The pouch  10  is preferred by users, because the double zipper has a clicking feel and sound during opening and closing to provide assurance of proper closure. 
         [0034]    The reclosable pouch or thermoplastic storage bag  10  comprises a first side wall  12 , a second side wall  14  and a bottom portion  16 , which when sealed forms bag  10  having an opening  18 . Bag  10  includes a top portion  20  having two lips  22  disposed at top portion  20  and an upper edge  24 . First and second closure mechanisms  26  and  28  are disposed at the top portion  20  of the bag  10 . The first closure mechanism  26  is on the bag side and the second closure mechanism  28  is on the lip side. The bag  10  may be made of one or more plastic materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, bioplastics, and mixtures thereof. 
         [0035]    The thermoplastic storage bag  10  of the present technology may include other features and attributes such as disclosed in previously referenced U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,298. Other configurations and additional features are also possible without limitation such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,584 issued to Dais et al. on Dec. 10, 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,147 issued to Nelson on Feb. 17, 2004, U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,349 issued to Taheri on Nov. 8, 2005, U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,244 issued to Dobreski et al. on Jan. 4, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 7,736,058 issued to Tanaka et al. on Jun. 15, 2010, U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,747 issued to Borchardt on Jan. 29, 2008, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,674,039 issued to McMahon et al. on Mar. 9, 2010 as well as U.S. Patent Application Publ. No. 2004/0234171 to Dais et al. published on Nov. 25, 2004, U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2004/0234173 to Saad et al. published on Nov. 25, 2004, U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2007/0183692 to Pawloski published on Aug. 9, 2007, and U.S. Patent Application Publ. No. 2006/0008187 to Armstrong published on Jan. 12, 2006, which matured into U.S. Pat. No. 9,011,003. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  through a normal segment  90  is shown. The closure mechanisms  26  and  28  are secured to the side walls  12  and  14 . The closure mechanisms  26  and  28  are characterized by intermittent and preferably alternating first and second segments  90  and  92 . The first segment  90 , illustrated in  FIG. 2 , is referred to as “normal” in that the cross section remains unchanged from the extrusion formation process. However, the second segment  92 , illustrated in  FIG. 3 , is referred to as being “deformed,” because the second segment  92  is modified during the forming process by deformer wheels as discussed below. 
       The Normal Segments 
       [0037]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , closure mechanism  26  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present technology and will be described in detail hereafter. Closure mechanism  26  includes a male closure element  30  and a female closure element  32 . The male closure element  30  and female closure element  32  are in alignment when closed as shown and somewhat still aligned, albeit separated when the bag  10  is open. 
         [0038]    The female closure element  32  comprises a base portion  48  and spaced legs  50  and  52  having hooked end portions  54  and  56 . Female element  32  is generally C shaped. The female element  32  is symmetrical about a longitudinal centerline  58 . 
         [0039]    Male closure element  30  comprises a base portion  34 , a stem portion  36 , and an engaging portion  38  having a hook  40  facing the bag side. By having the hook  40 , greater force will be required to open the bag  10  from within or by pulling on the walls  12  and  14  from the bag side as compared to the opening force required when utilizing the lips  20 . However, effective sealing will occur between the hooked end portions  54  and  56  of the female closure element  32  and stem portion  36  of the male closure element  30 . The engaging portion  38  of the male closure element  30  may also have a lateral member opposing the hook, e.g., facing the lip side. 
         [0040]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , closure mechanism  28  may be as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,298 as described above in the normal segments  90 . More particularly, closure element  28  includes a male closure element  60  and a female closure element  62 . Male closure element  60  comprises a base portion  64 , a stem portion  66 , and an engaging portion  68 , which is a three-lobed arrowhead having lateral portions or hooks  70  and  72 . 
         [0041]    The female closure element  62  comprises a base portion  74  and spaced legs  76  and  78  having hooked end portions  80  and  82 . Female element  62  is generally C shaped and symmetrical about a longitudinal centerline  88 . As can be seen, the female closure element  62  is the same as female closure element  32 , but positioned on the opposing wall  14 . In addition to single zipper configurations, female closure elements  32  and  62  and male closure elements  30  and  60  may be any combination of hooks, arrows, variations as noted above, and otherwise configured and arranged on the walls  12  and  14 . 
       The Deformed Segments 
       [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  through a deformed segment  92  is shown. As can be seen, in the deformed segments  92 , the male closure elements  30  and  60  still engage the female closure elements  32  and  62 . Although the female closure elements  32  and  62  are unchanged, the male closure elements  30  and  60  have been asymmetrically deformed. In a brief overview, in a preferred embodiment, the sealing surface or stem portion  36  on one side has remained intact, whereas the sealing surface/stem portion  36  has been modified on the opposing side. 
         [0043]    In the deformed segments  92  of the first closure mechanism  26 , the engaging portion  38  and the stem  36  of the male closure element  30  have been reshaped, but the base has remained substantially unchanged. The deformation of the stem  36  is more pronounced on the bag side than the relatively minor amount of deformation, if any, on the lip side, such that the sealing surfaces remain intact on the lip side. On the bag side, however, the stem  36  has been deformed or notched. The hook  40  is no longer pronounced and a width W of the engaging portion  38  (seen in  FIG. 7A  discussed below) is approximately equal to the width of the stem  36 . The bag side of the male closure element  30  is notched inward from just above the base  34  to the engaging portion  38 . As a result, the sealing surface of the stem  36  has been impacted, and a gap  39  may exist on the bag side between the male closure element  30  and the female closure element  32 . In another embodiment, the stem portion  36  remains substantially unchanged so that the sealing surfaces are maintained intact on both sides of the male closure element. 
         [0044]    By maintaining the stem  36  on the lip side relatively unchanged, the leg  50  still effectively seals onto the lip side of the stem  36  of the male closure element  30 . The contact between the leg  52  and the bag side of the stem  36  may also seal, but due to the deformation, the seal may be ineffective or perform to a lesser degree than desired. Although there may not be an effective seal on the bag side, the first closure mechanism  26  maintains the seal by virtue of the sealing surface engaging normally on the lip side. In an alternative embodiment, the hook  40  points to the lip side and the hook  40  is still relatively more deformed, and vice versa. It is also envisioned that only one of the closure mechanisms  26  and  28  may have deformed portions, such that one of the closure mechanisms  26  or  28  maintains intact on sealing. In another embodiment, the lip side(s) of the closure elements maintain seal integrity and the bag sides are substantially more deformed. 
         [0045]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , in the deformed segments  92  of the second closure mechanism  28 , the second male closure element  60  has also been asymmetrically deformed. The lateral members  70  and  72  have been reshaped, but the base  64  has remained relatively unchanged. On the lip side, the stem portion  66  has remained relatively unchanged or only subject to minor deformation, but on the bag side, the step portion  66  has been deformed. As seen in  FIG. 7B  and discussed below, the width W of the engaging portion  68  is substantially the same as the width of the stem portion  66 . Preferably, the engaging portion  68  and stem portion  66  have the same basic shape in the deformed segments  92 . By maintaining the stem  66  relatively unchanged, the leg  78  is able to effectively seal thereto on the bag side to provide a second effective seal on the bag side of the second closure mechanism  28 . The other leg  76  may also effectively seal against the stem  66  of the male closure element  60  in the deformed segments  92 , depending upon the degree of deformation, if any, of the stem  66  on that side. 
         [0046]    Preferably, a ratio of the length of the deformed segments  92  to the length of the normal segments  90  is approximately one. Typically, the length of the segments  90  and  92  is less than about 0.175 of an inch {4.44500 mm} so that a plurality of deformed segments  92  is depressed by one&#39;s fingers during venting as described below. In one embodiment, the length of the segments  90  and  92  is about 0.15 of an inch {3.81 mm}. In alternative embodiments, the normal segments  90  are significantly longer than the deformed segments  92 , or vice versa. In another embodiment, the lengths of the segments  90  and  92  vary. By varying the lengths of the segments  90  and  92 , different frequency sounds may be created. Hence, the closure mechanisms  26  and  28  may create different audible sounds and tactile cues. 
       A Process and an Apparatus for Making the Double Zipper 
       [0047]    Double zippers of the subject technology may be extruded and post-applied or extruded with the pouch as is known in the art. After formation, the male closure elements  30  and  64  are processed through a deforming apparatus to create the deformed segments  92 . The deforming apparatus typically uses an identical pair of matched deformer rings. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,727, issued to Dais et al. on Aug. 25, 1992, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,100, issued to Porchia et al. on Jul. 15, 1997. The subject technology, however, uses different deformer rings to create different effects on opposing sides of the same profile. Various combinations and configurations may be used, such as shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/916,005, filed Oct. 29, 2010, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0106874 on May 3, 2012, and which matured into U.S. Pat. No. 8,974,118. 
         [0048]    Now, referring to  FIGS. 4A to 4C , perspective, top, and cross-sectional views of one deformer ring  670  for use in a deforming apparatus (not shown) in accordance with the subject technology are shown. The deformer ring  670  has an annular body  672  with a plurality of teeth  674  formed on an outer circumference thereof. The teeth  674  have an angled surface  688  that applies pressure to deform the male closure element. The angled surfaces  688  also form cutting edges  694  that notch the male closure element. Intermediate the angled surfaces  688  are sidewalls  690  and inner walls  696  that do not engage the profile being worked. 
         [0049]    A thoroughbore  676  is formed in the annular body  672  to receive a dowel  678 , which facilitates mounting the deformer ring  670  to the deforming apparatus. The teeth  674  are separated by gaps  680 , which create a tooth arc length  682  and a gap arc length  684  on the outermost portion of the deformer ring  670 . In use, the tooth arc length  682  and the gap arc length  684  form the normal and deformed segments  90  and  92 , respectively, in the male closure elements. 
         [0050]    In one embodiment, the tooth arc length  682  and the gap arc length  684  are approximately equal, but either may be longer than the other. Preferably, the tooth arc length  682  and the gap arc length  684  are about 0.15 of an inch {3.81 mm} or less. In another embodiment, the gap arc length  682  is less than about 0.175 of an inch {4.44500 mm} and the tooth arc length  684  is about 0.148 of an inch {3.75920 mm}. In another embodiment, multiple toothed deformer wheels  670  are available for different tooth arc and gap arc lengths  682  and  684 . In one embodiment, a ratio of the tooth arc lengths between the different deformer wheels  670  is selected from the group of ratios of approximately 1.5, 2, 3, and 4. In still another embodiment, the tooth arc length  682  and the gap arc length  684  are irregular or vary according to a pattern. 
         [0051]    Now referring to  FIGS. 5A to 5C , perspective, top, and cross-sectional views of another deformer ring  770  for use in a deforming apparatus (not shown) with the deformer ring  670  in accordance with the subject technology are shown. 
         [0052]    As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art, the deformer ring  770  is structurally similar to the deformer ring  670  described above. Accordingly, like reference numerals preceded by the numeral “7” instead of the numeral “6”, are used to indicate like elements. The primary difference of deforming ring  770  in comparison to the deforming ring  670  is that the deformer ring  770  has an annular body  772  with a uniform angled surface  788  formed on an outer circumference thereof. The angled surface  788  also applies pressure to deform the male closure element, but without teeth. As a result, the deformer ring  770  has an attenuated effect as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  discussed below. 
         [0053]    The deformer rings  670 ,  770  and technology related to the same may also be implemented in any deforming apparatus now known and later developed. One apparatus or process for making a male closure element for a reclosable thermoplastic bag in accordance with the subject technology would include an extruder for providing a longitudinally extending profile of a substantially uniform shape as shown in the normal segments  90  above. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the deforming apparatus includes the deformer rings  670  and  770  arranged in opposition to work the male closure elements  30  and  60 . The angled surfaces  688  and  788  of the deforming rings  670  and  770  are set parallel and apart a gap  692  approximately equal to a cross-sectional width of the stem  36 , plus or minus about 0.001 or 0.002 of an inch {0.0254 to 0.0508 mm}. Thus, as the male closure element  30  passes through the gap  692  at any linespeed, force from the deformer rings  670  and  770  creates compression and deformation of the male closure element  30 . The engaging portion  38  is deformed into the male closure element  30 . The second male closure element  60  is defined by a similar operation. In one embodiment as shown, the teeth  674  create cuts or notches in the stem portion  36  of about 0.002 inches {0.0508 mm}. In another embodiment, the stem portion  36  is relatively unchanged. 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , top views of exemplary male closure elements  30  and  60  having arrow head and hook type configurations are shown. The male closure elements  30  and  60  have been deformed by opposing toothed and smooth gripper wheels  670  and  770 .  FIGS. 7A and 7B  are somewhat schematic to illustrate concepts and varying configurations that could result depending upon processing parameters and ring configurations, as would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 
         [0056]    In the normal segments  90  of the male closure elements  30  and  60 , the male closure elements  30  and  60  are unchanged despite having passed through the gap  692 . The normal segments  90  are created by passing between the deformer ring  670  corresponding to the gaps  680 , such that the only angled surface  788  of the opposing smooth deformer ring  770  makes contact with the male closure elements  30  and  60 . The male closure elements  30  and  60  simply deflect from contact by only the single deformer ring  770  and remain unchanged. 
         [0057]    However, as the cutting edges  694  and angled surfaces  688  contact the male closure elements  30  and  60 , compression and deformation of the male closure elements  30  and  60  occur, which is particularly distinct on the side of the toothed deformer ring  670 . On the toothed deformer wheel side (e.g., shown as the right side in  FIG. 7A  and the left side in  FIG. 7B ), the cutting edges  694  create fairly crisp steps or notches as transitions  94  between the normal and deformed segments  90  and  92 . However, on the side of the smooth deformer wheel  770  (e.g., the left side in  FIG. 7A  and the right side in  FIG. 7B ), gradual ramps  96  as transitions occur while the stem  36  and  66  remain substantially unchanged. 
         [0058]    Without being limited to any particular theory, during opening and closing of the double zipper in accordance with the subject technology, the female legs  50 ,  52 ,  76 , and  78  snap into and out of the deformed segments  92  along the notch transitions  94 , to create an audible sound as well as tactile clicking. The notch transitions  94  are structurally modified such that the seal integrity between the stem  36  and  66  and female legs  50 ,  52 ,  76 , and  78  is maintained, but weakened. On the smooth deformer wheel side, however, the female legs  50 ,  52 ,  76 , and  78  slide across the ramps  96  in a relatively smoother and quieter manner, if not substantially click-free, while fully maintaining the seal integrity in either case. Thus, by having a combination of notch transitions  94  and ramps  96  on opposing sides, closure mechanisms can produce desirable clicking sounds and/or clicking tactile responses on one side, while maintaining excellent seal integrity on the other side. 
         [0059]    Depending upon various fabrication techniques, the transitions between the segments  90  and  92  may vary to a certain degree. It is envisioned that the clicking sound and/or feel will be substantially generated on one side, whereas the other side will remain relatively smooth and, therefore, quiet, so that effective sealing is guaranteed. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the notch transitions  94  has an angular wall change of at least seventy-five degrees from the longitudinal axis of the elongated male closure element. In contrast, the ramps  96  have an angular wall change of no more than forty-five degrees. In another embodiment, the angular wall change of the notch transitions  94  is from about eighty to ninety degrees, and the ramps  96  is from about twenty-five to thirty-five degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the notch transitions  94  are approximately ninety degrees and the ramps  96  are less than about thirty degrees. 
         [0060]    In an alternative embodiment, each side produces a clicking sound and/or clicking tactile response, but to varying degrees, due to the difference in deformation. The female profiles may also be deformed, just the female profiles, just a pair of a female and male profile, or even a single profile is deformed, and the like, depending upon the desired effect. For another embodiment, different deformer wheels are utilized to produce clicking sounds of varying frequencies from varying sides of the profiles. As can be seen, three types of closure mechanisms can be used in any combination. For example, on a double zipper, one could use any of a traditional sealing structure without any deformed segments, a clicking structure in accordance with the &#39;298 and &#39;727 patents, and clicks substantially from one side as disclosed herein. Hence, for a double zipper, nine different combinations are possible to yield various combinations of sealing and clicking structures as desired. Further, separation between the closure mechanisms may be such that a double zipper could be used when the user may only selectively engage one of the zippers. Additionally, venting closure mechanism and methods as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/031,843 filed on Feb. 22, 2011, and which matured into U.S. Pat. No. 8,469,593, may be utilized. 
         [0061]    The present technology is useful in storage bags and provides an improved closure mechanism. The present technology provides a closure mechanism having an improved substantially leak-proof seal utilizing asymmetric deformations on portions thereof to create a clicking sound and/or feel upon opening and closing of the bag. Male profiles that terminate in arrow head and hook configurations, as well as other forms, may be utilized in any combination. For example, hook portions may be employed so that the closure mechanism has a closing force that varies depending upon the direction and/or between each element of a double zipper. The subject technology may also be applied to single zipper closure mechanisms or just one or two parts of a double zipper closure mechanism. In one embodiment, the closing force of the closure mechanisms is in a range of about 0.20 lb. to about 0.30 lb. In another embodiment, the hook portions extend in opposite directions, outward from the closure mechanism and, in another, the hook portions extend in the same direction towards the bag or the lip side. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0062]    All patents, patent applications, and other references disclosed herein are hereby expressly incorporated in their entireties by reference. 
         [0063]    The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the technology. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present technology so that others skilled in the art may practice the present technology. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, various modifications can be made within the scope of this description. Such modifications, being within the ability of one skilled in the art and forming a part of the present technology, are embraced by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1