U.S. patent application number 09/993058 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-24 for method for opening profile zippers.
Invention is credited to Kikuchi, Russell S..
Application Number | 20030138171 09/993058 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25539045 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030138171 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kikuchi, Russell S. |
July 24, 2003 |
Method for opening profile zippers
Abstract
An improved method for the disengagement of interlocking profile
members is enabled by a new grip arrangement. Said process involves
the use of one hand, which pinches the closed profile zipper at the
center of it's longitudinal axis and slides the two opposing
members in opposite directions with a "finger-snapping" motion.
This breaks the profile seal at both corners of the mouth on the
polymeric bag. The embodiment of said process, is a grip
arrangement which provides surface friction in both directions
along the longitudinal axis of said profile on both outer surfaces
of the bag. Three variations in the form of an aerosol coating, a
"wet friction" coextruded grip, and a roller embossed grip are
disclosed herein. The "finger-snapping" action prescribed by the
present invention pushes the profile apart from it's longitudinal
center, as opposed to prior art, which prescribes pulling it apart
from a lateral edge. Consequently, prior art concerns regarding
"variance in forces" are eliminated and closure strength is
maximized. What results is a reclosable polymeric bag which can be
opened with one hand, while possessing maximum strength from
without.
Inventors: |
Kikuchi, Russell S.;
(Waipahu, HI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Russell S. Kikuchi
94-836A Lelepua Street
Waipahu
HI
96797
US
|
Family ID: |
25539045 |
Appl. No.: |
09/993058 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/63 ;
53/492 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/007 20130101;
B65D 33/2541 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/63 ;
53/492 |
International
Class: |
B65B 043/26 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of opening a reclosable package, comprising the steps
of: using one hand, a closed profile zipper is pinched near its
longitudinal center, with the thumb and forefinger each on one of
the opposing members. The middle finger may be used in tandem with
the forefinger for added stability. While maintaining pressure
between thumb and fingers, a motion similar to the snapping of
fingers is used to push or slide the two interlocking members in
opposite directions along their longitudinal axis. This breaks the
profile seal by causing the polymeric bag to open at both ends near
the corners of the mouth of the bag. As thumb and fingers continue
to slide, both openings increase in size until profile is fully
disengaged.
2. To facilitate the method of claim 1, a reclosable package
comprising: A closure arrangement having first and second opposing
films, and a first profile, and a second profile. Said first and
second profiles are attached to the inner surfaces at the top edge
of said respective first and second films. Said first and second
profiles have interlocking members which engage when pressed
together. While engaged, first and second profiles are incapable of
manual disengagement by any force applied to a lateral edge on
either side of the interlocked profile. Separation of interlocking
profile members is possible only when the forces at the lateral
edges on either side of the engaged profile are equal. A grip
arrangement which provides surface friction in both directions
along the longitudinal axis of the profile comprising a non-slip
coating applied non-coextensively via aerosol spray, consisting of
an abrasive grit and a binder solution which is suitable for
affixing said grit onto a polymeric surface.
3. The reclosable package in claim 2, wherein said first and second
profiles have downward extending flanges attached to the outer
surfaces at the top edge of said respective first and second films.
A grip arrangement which provides surface friction in both
directions along the longitudinal axis of the profile comprising a
longitudinally coextensive coextruded copolymer blend consisting of
a non-slip "wet friction" compound.
4. The reclosable package in claim 3, wherein a roller embossed
grip arrangement is embossed onto a coextruded flange with a grip
pattern.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]
1 References Cited 3425469 February, 1969 Ausnit 150/003. 5009828
April, 1991 McCree 264/177.1. 5314940 May, 1994 Stone 524/271.
5453219 September, 1995 Smrt, et al. 252/30. 5464154 November, 1995
Nielsen 239/1. 5670202 September, 1997 Guzowski, et al 427/8.
5711609 January, 1998 Simonsen 383/63. 5931582 August, 1999 Nichols
383/65. Foreign Patent Documents 089680 September, 1983 EP B65D
33/00.
[0002] The present invention relates to rib and groove profile
zippers. This invention more particularly pertains to profile
zippers as related to reclosable polymeric bags.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Reclosable polymeric bags having interlocking
pressure-sealable profile zippers have been available to consumers
for nearly thirty years. Within this span of time, many
improvements in design and manufacturing were implemented. Hundreds
of new uses were discovered. Today, it is ubiquitous throughout the
world.
[0004] Still, there is room for improvement. The required use of
both hands for opening a reclosable polymeric bag has never been
addressed and always been accepted. The lack of any pertinent prior
art supports this assertion. The ability to open a bag effortlessly
with one hand significantly improves convenience. It would benefit
some of the "physically challenged" as well.
[0005] Variance in forces is another concern. Although minimized
with profile designs such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,613, there is
still a fine balance between the consumer's ability to easily open
a bag and preventing inadvertent penetration from the outside of
the bag. This variance in forces places a constraint on profile
design. Both closure strength and the force required for profile
disengagement are compromised to some degree.
[0006] The two limitations just mentioned are actually inherent to
the operational process. Said process is known in prior art as the
profile disengagement process which involves the separation of two
interlocking profile members. Two opposing flanges at the bag's
mouth are held, one in each hand, at their longitudinal center.
Said flanges are then pulled in opposite directions, away from the
bag and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said profile.
This process is typically enabled by some form of grip. Prior art
has evolved without much change to the basic orientation of said
grip. The surface texture is always situated to provide grip for
pulling away from the bag and profile. For example, in reference to
U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,828, grips in the form of ribs are extruded
longitudinally onto flanges across the lip of the bag. This is
known in the art as grip strips. The aforementioned process for
opening a profile zipper and its associated grip orientation
pervade prior art and are currently the status quo.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is an improved method to disengage
interlocking members of rib and groove profile zippers without
sliding elements. This process is enabled by a new grip
arrangement. Both said process and said means are unobvious and
novel as evidenced by 30 years of exclusion from prior art.
[0008] The present invention overcomes the two fundamental
limitations discussed in the background. They are described as
objectives below. Two additional features inherent to the present
invention are also included.
[0009] One object of the present invention is to allow rib and
groove profile zippers to be opened more conveniently with the use
of just one hand.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
profile zipper design which maximizes closure strength of a
polymeric bag from both within and without, while having no impact
on the force required for disengagement. This eliminates a common
design concern known in the art as "variance in forces."
[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to
incorporate more stringent child-resistant properties into profile
design.
[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to lessen
the amount of raw materials required during production.
[0013] All the objectives are accomplished by first redefining the
profile disengagement process as applied to reclosable polymeric
bags. Prior art prescribes pulling the profile apart from it's
lateral edge. The new process pushes the profile apart from it's
longitudinal center. This redefined process, which is the present
invention, shall be referred to herein as the "pinch-snap process."
It begins by using one hand to pinch a closed profile zipper at its
longitudinal center, with the thumb and forefinger each on one of
the opposing members. The middle finger may be used in tandem with
the forefinger for added stability. While maintaining pressure
between thumb and fingers, mimic the action of "snapping your
fingers" and slide the two interlocking members in opposite
directions along the longitudinal axis. This breaks the profile
seal and causes the polymeric bag to open at both corners of its
mouth. As you continue sliding your thumb and fingers, both
openings increase in size. Refer to Detailed Description of the
Preferred Embodiment for a more technical and detailed
description.
[0014] The pinch-snap process is enabled by a new grip arrangement
and unique profile design. This new grip is positioned on or
adjacent to both profile member surfaces opposite their
interlocking elements. Said grip is situated in such a manner as to
provide surface friction in both directions along the longitudinal
axis of the profile. This differs considerably from prior art,
which provides surface friction at right angles away from the
profile's longitudinal axis. Texture orientation, relative position
to profile, and pure intent are attributes of the grip arrangement
which are unique to prior art and therefore characterize or earmark
the pinch-snap process. The Detailed Description of the Preferred
Embodiment section offers, by way of example rather than
limitation, three grip arrangements which are all embodiments of
the present invention.
[0015] The pinch-snap process prescribed by the present invention
pushes the profile apart from it's longitudinal center. Throughout
this process, both profile surfaces opposite the interlocking
elements maintain a parallel or "balanced" relationship. In the
case where force is inadvertently applied to one of the profile's
lateral edges, the parallel relationship becomes skewed or
"unbalanced." A profile can be designed to lock in this situation,
providing maximum closure strength thereof. This aspect of the
present invention serves as the basis for a profile design which
offers minimal resistance when balanced and maximum closure
strength when unbalanced. This enables effortless consumer access
when using the pinch-snap process while providing maximum closure
strength from both within and without the bag. Prior art concerns
with "variance in forces" are thereby eliminated. The present
invention discloses as the preferred embodiment, a simple profile
design which takes advantage of this particular attribute. Refer to
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment.
[0016] Grip strips are unnecessary within the scheme of the
pinch-snap process. Its omission from design saves on raw materials
during manufacturing. Also, the absence of grip strips, the
aforementioned balanced profile seal and the non-intuitive nature
of the pinch-snap process, collectively promote child-resistant
properties. These properties exceed similar claims in prior art
(see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,931,582 and 5,711,609) by offering a higher
degree of convenience while increasing overall effectiveness.
[0017] To reiterate the present invention, the pinch-snap process
is embodied by a type of grip arrangement unique to prior art. When
implemented, it results is a polymeric bag with the following
advantages:
[0018] 1. Can be conveniently opened with one hand.
[0019] 2. Eliminates "variance in forces" design concerns.
[0020] 3. More stringent child-resistant characteristics.
[0021] 4. Requires less raw material during manufacturing.
[0022] The above summary 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates first step of pinch-snap process
according to present invention.
[0024] FIG. 1A is an enlarged top view of profile zipper taken at
reference line 1A--1A of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates second step of pinch-snap process
according to present invention.
[0026] FIG. 2A is an enlarged top view of profile zipper taken at
reference line 2A--2A of FIG. 2.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates third step of pinch-snap process
according to present invention.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates fourth step of pinch-snap process
according to present invention.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a profile zipper in the
balanced state.
[0030] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a profile zipper in the
unbalanced state.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a front elevational fragmentary view of a
polymeric bag with a non-slip coated grip arrangement which is an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional fragmentary view of a profile
zipper with a "wet friction" integral grip arrangement which is
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a front elevational fragmentary view of a
polymeric bag with an embossed grip arrangement which is another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 8A is an enlarged cross-sectional fragmentary view of
profile zipper taken at reference line 8A--8A of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] The pinch-snap process is comprised of four steps. The first
two steps depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 respectively, break the
seal of the profile zipper. The remaining two steps depicted in
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 respectively, separate the remaining portion of
the profile still engaged after the seal is broken.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A, the pinch-snap process
begins with using one hand to pinch profile zipper 1 at the center
11, of its longitudinal axis with the thumb and forefinger each on
one of the interlocking members 12 and 13 respectively. The middle
finger may be used in tandem with the forefinger for added
stability.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 2A, while maintaining pressure
between thumb and fingers, slide thumb in direction 14 along the
longitudinal axis 17, of the profile. Simultaneously slide fingers
in the opposite direction, which is direction 15, along the
longitudinal axis 17. The operation just described mimics the
familiar action of "snapping your fingers." As you perform said
operation the two interlocking members of profile 1 will slide in
opposite directions along the longitudinal axis 17. This will break
the seal by causing the opposing profile members to separate at
both corners 16, of the mouth on the bag. As you continue to move
thumb and fingers in directions 14 and 15 respectively, the
opposing profile members continue to separate, as the openings at
both corners 16 increase in size and work their way towards the
longitudinal center 11.
[0038] At the point in the pinch-snap process when the thumb and
fingers have reached their limits of range of motion, the center of
the profile's longitudinal axis may still be engaged. If this is
the case, continue on to steps three and four in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4
respectively.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, place forefinger into profile opening
18 adjacent to thumb.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, sweep forefinger back in direction 19,
through engaged center 11 of said profile to achieve total
separation of opposing profile members.
[0041] FIG. 5 depicts a longitudinal coextensive profile in the
balanced state without any force being applied to lateral edges 50.
As noted in the Brief Summary, this state allows for profile
disengagement. Thumb and forefinger are placed on parallel surfaces
51 and 52 respectively. This parallel relationship is maintained
throughout the disengagement process, causing the male and female
members to move apart in opposite directions along line 53 when
separating. Elements 54 and 55 of the female member therefore avoid
engagement with wedges 56 and 57 of the male member. Both elements
54 and 55 are of equal length and should conform to the circular
contour of element 58 of the male member. Designing elements 54 and
55 to extend further along the contour of element 58 will increase
the amount of force necessary for profile disengagement.
[0042] If force is inadvertently applied to either lateral edge 50,
the profile becomes unbalanced as depicted in FIG. 5A. The circular
mating contours of elements 54 and 55 on the female member and
element 58 of the male member allow both members to rotate away
from the lateral edge 50 where force is being applied. This will
engage wedge 56 and lock female element 54. As the force at lateral
edge 50 increases, male element 58 flexes at it's base 59, and
applies more pressure on locked female element 54
[0043] One embodiment of the present invention is a grip
arrangement in the form of a non-slip coating applied via aerosol
spray. U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,219, hereby incorporated by reference,
discloses an aerosol composition for producing a surface having an
abrasive grit adhered thereto. Said composition is comprised of an
abrasive grit, a binder solution which is suitable for affixing
said grit onto a surface comprised of a polymeric resin and an
organic solvent which dissolves said resin, the resin being capable
of adhering to said surface and to said grit, and a liquid
propellant.
[0044] As the aforementioned pinch-snap process clearly shows in
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the hand pinches the profile zipper at the
center of its longitudinal axis and does not release until after
the seal is broken. This is the only area on the polymeric bag
which necessitates a grip. A coextensive grip is unnecessary.
Consequently, the "target area" for the aerosol application of the
non-slip coating is the center of the profile zipper's longitudinal
axis as shown in FIGS. 6-60. Depicted as section 60, the target
area extends outward from the profile's longitudinal center, 0.5"
in both directions along the longitudinal axis and 0.5" down from
the lip of the bag. The disclosed target area dimensions are
intended as examples, rather than limitations. There should be a
mirror image of this grip arrangement on the opposite exterior wall
of the polymeric bag. Said target area should be kept to a minimum
length along the longitudinal axis to prevent any significant
obstruction when sliding fingers over the profile 61 during the
sealing thereof.
[0045] Many viable means for applying aerosol coatings are
available. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,464,154 and 5,670,202
disclose several processes which provide a momentary spray using a
mask for accuracy and peripheral vacuum to collect any overspray.
According to prior art, the typical manufacturing process starts
with profile members being extruded onto a continuous polymeric
sheet. The sheet is folded and heat-sealed to form a chain of
pouches. These pouches are then severed at the seal to form
individual reclosable polymeric bags. After the heat-sealing
process, the physical dimensions of each individual bag are
defined, thereby making it possible to target the longitudinal
center. Before severing, the bags are still connected in a
continuous chain making it possible to control their positioning.
Consequently, the non-slip coating should be applied just after the
sealing station but before the severing station.
[0046] The following grip arrangements are alternate embodiments of
the present invention. Although coextensive grips are unnecessary,
the manufacturing process is simplified with a coextruded profile
and grip.
[0047] FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the present invention in the
form of an integral grip arrangement. The coextruded longitudinally
coextensive profile sections 70 are of a copolymer blend consisting
of a non-slip "wet friction" compound. U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,940,
hereby incorporated by reference, describes a compound with a
surface friction that increases under damp conditions. Said
compound does not use any particulate material and includes a
hydrogenated polybutene plasticizer as one of its preferred
formulations. Amoco Chemical Company of Chicago, Ill. manufactures
said compound under the designation H-300. The walls of the
polymeric bag 71 are bonded to the inner face 72 of coextruded
flanges 73. The flanges are necessary to expose non-slip surfaces
74 to allow for gripping.
[0048] FIG. 8, which is another embodiment of the present
invention, is a roller embossed grip arrangement wherein a
coextruded flange is embossed with a grip pattern 80. The opposing
flange adjacent to the opposing profile member is identically
embossed. European Patent No. 0089680 details a roller embossing
process wherein a fresh extrusion, partially cooled, passes through
a pair of rollers. One roller of said pair with a grip pattern
inscribed thereon, impresses its surface texture onto said
polymeric resin extrusion. This process may be used on profile
coextrusions without any heat deformity, as long as the profile
members are not on the opposite side of the surface being embossed.
FIG. 8A, taken along reference line 8A--8A in FIG. 8 is the
cross-sectional view. It exemplifies a grip arrangement conducive
to roller embossing wherein the surface being embossed 80 is clear
of any profile elements on its inner face 81.
[0049] While several specific embodiments of the invention have
been shown and described in some detail, it will become apparent to
those versed in the art that a number of other embodiments are
possible which are still fairly within the scope of the general
teachings and principles found herein.
* * * * *