Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Zipper or required component thereof – Slider having specific configuration – construction,...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-31
2001-09-18
Sakran, Victor N. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Zipper or required component thereof
Slider having specific configuration, construction,...
C024S383000, C024S399000, C024S400000, C024S403000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289561
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an assembly of sliders for recloseable zippers used on bags, an accumulation of sliders, a method of assembling sliders, and a method of accumulating sliders.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to an application entitled “Zipper and Zipper Arrangements And Methods of Manufacturing The Same” (Docket No PCOS015); and to an application entitled “Fastener With Slider Thereon For Use In Manufacturing Recloseable Bags” (Docket No. PCOS014). Both applications were filed concurrently with this application and are assigned to the same assignee as the assignee of this application. Both applications and their disclosures are incorporated herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Plastic bags are popular for storing food and other items. Zippered plastic bags that can be securely closed and reopened are particularly popular due to their ability to maintain freshness of the food stored in the bags and/or to minimize leakage into and out of the bag. These bags are used one at a time by consumers and large numbers of these bags are also used by businesses to package items that are then sold to consumers. An example of a business that uses a large number of these bags is a food producer and packer. For example, nuts, candy snacks, ingredients, salt, cheese and other food and non-food products can be packed in these bags by packaging equipment such as form, fill and seal machines and the filled bags sold to consumers.
For a variety of reasons, including difficulty in closing the zipper, some consumers prefer an easier way to open and close the zippers on these bags. As a result, zipper bags with a slider to open and close the zipper have become popular with these consumers. Product manufacturers, however, have not used the slider and zipper in their packaging equipment because there has not been a way to assemble and accumulate the sliders in a configuration that can be fed easily and quickly to the packaging equipment. In order to supply this market with sliders and zippers, it is desirable to assemble and accumulate sliders in a configuration that can be used with packaging equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to the assembly and accumulation of sliders for zippers having profiled tracks such as those used on plastic food storage bags. Once the sliders have been assembled and accumulated, they can be delivered to form, fill and seal machines or other packaging equipment for mounting onto zippers which are secured to plastic bags.
To be assembled for use in form, fill and seal machines or other packaging equipment, the sliders can be adhesively or mechanically joined together to form chains of sliders. This may be accomplished by adhesively joining the sliders together by the application of a strip of adhesive tape to a part of each slider. Instead of tape, a bead of hot melt adhesive may be used. In other embodiments, individual sliders may be joined together by heat or ultrasonic welding or melting a portion of each slider to a plastic state and pressing the sliders together to form a chain of sliders.
In the alternative, the sliders may be mechanically joined by snapping together male and female connectors that have been formed on each slider. In another embodiment, a chain of sliders may be formed by slideably mounting the sliders on a strip or web.
In order to supply sliders to a form, fill and seal machine, or other packaging equipment, it is preferred that assembled sliders be accumulated in sufficient quantities to allow extended operation of the machines or equipment. Individual sliders or chains of sliders can be accumulated for this purpose. One method of slider accumulation is to load oriented chains of sliders into a magazine or cartridge. The magazine or cartridge is then coupled at a slider supply location to a form, fill and seal machine. Another embodiment involves rolling a chain of sliders onto a spool or into a coreless roll. One end of the chain can be fed to the slider supply location of a form, fill and seal machine or other packaging equipment. A chain of sliders may also be Z-folded into a box or similar container with one end of the chain fed to a form, fill and seal machine or other packaging equipment.
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Provan Alexander R.
St. Phillips Eric A.
Thomas Toby R.
Jenkens & Gilchrist
Sakran Victor N.
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