Manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturi – Container making – Pliable container
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-16
2001-10-23
Vo, Peter (Department: 3721)
Manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturi
Container making
Pliable container
C493S214000, C493S114000, C493S393000, C493S927000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306071
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to closure arrangements for polymer packages, such as, plastic bags. In particular, the present invention relates to resealable closure mechanisms or zipper-type closures for resealable packages.
BACKGROUND
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 products in the package is thus avoided. As such. providing products in resealable packages appreciably enhances the marketability of those 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 closure mechanism, having profiled elements or closure profiles, when the slider device travels in a first direction along the mechanism. 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 closure mechanism in a direction opposite the first direction.
Concerns are raised regarding resealable closure mechanisms with slider devices. One such concern is attachment of the slider device to the package. For example, rigid slider devices can be difficult to attach to the package, and multiple piece slider devices require additional manufacturing steps. Not only do both of these alternatives involve additional costs, but they also result in lower manufacturing rates. Improvements are desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, one example embodiment involves a single-piece slider device for use with a resealable closure mechanism having a first closure profile and a second closure profile. The slider device includes a rigid top wall, at least a first plow depending from the top wall for separating the first and second closure profiles, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. Each of the first and second sidewalls has an inner surface, an outer surface, a bottom edge, and a first length. The first sidewall has a first flex point configured to allow a first portion of the first sidewall to flex at the first flex point. The second sidewall has a second flex point configured to allow a first portion of the second sidewall to flex at the second flex point.
In another aspect, another embodiment of the present invention involves a closure arrangement for use with a package having a plurality of edges. The closure arrangement includes a first closure profile, a second closure profile, and a slider device. The first and second closure profiles both include a base strip and an interlocking closure member. The interlocking closure members of the first and second closure profiles are arranged and configured to selectively engage. The slider device can include structures described herein.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention involves a resealable package. The resealable package has first and second panel sections joined together to define an enclosed region and a mouth providing access to the enclosed region. The resealable package also has a closure arrangement secured to the first and second panel sections for selectively opening and sealing the mouth. The closure arrangement can include structures, including slider devices, as described herein.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of attaching a single-piece slider device having a rigid top wall is provided. The method includes a step of providing a package having a resealable closure mechanism. A slider device is placed over the closure mechanism and aligned therewith. Next, the slider device is pushed onto the closure mechanism causing the sidewalls of the slider device to spread apart no greater than 30 degrees from a vertical line through a center of the top wall to encapsulate the closure mechanism.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of sealing a resealable package is provided. The method includes a step of providing a package having first and second opposite side edges, a resealable mouth between the first and second side edges, a first resealable closure mechanism with a slider thereover for opening and resealing the mouth, and a second closure mechanism outside of the slider device for sealing the mouth. The slider device is moved along the mouth in a first direction from the second side, encapsulating the first closure mechanism and not encapsulating the second closure mechanism, to interlock the first closure mechanism and to interlock the second closure mechanism.
The above summary of principles of the present invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
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Levine Edward L.
Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.
Tawfik Sam
Trempus Thomas R.
Vo Peter
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