U.S. patent application number 11/440857 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for slider and closure mechanism for closure assembly.
Invention is credited to Bryan L. Ackerman, John O. McCree, James C. Pawloski.
Application Number | 20060210201 11/440857 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37010419 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060210201 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ackerman; Bryan L. ; et
al. |
September 21, 2006 |
Slider and closure mechanism for closure assembly
Abstract
A closure assembly usable with a pouch includes an elongate
closure mechanism and a slider. The closure mechanism includes
opposing closure members, each having an upper interlocking profile
spaced from a lower interlocking profile. The slider includes a
separator member spaced between opposing channel walls, and upper
closure bars and lower closure bars protruding inwardly from the
channel walls. The slider may be operatively disposed on the
closure mechanism with the upper closure bars engaging the upper
interlocking profiles, the lower closure bars engaging the lower
interlocking profiles, and the separator member disposed between
the upper interlocking profiles. The slider occludes the upper
interlocking profiles and the lower interlocking profiles when
urged in a closing direction along the closure mechanism, and
de-occludes the upper interlocking profiles without de-occluding
the lower interlocking profiles when urged in an opening direction
opposite the closing direction.
Inventors: |
Ackerman; Bryan L.;
(Freeland, MI) ; Pawloski; James C.; (Bay City,
MI) ; McCree; John O.; (Bay City, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
1525 HOWE STREET
RACINE
WI
53403-2236
US
|
Family ID: |
37010419 |
Appl. No.: |
11/440857 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10821341 |
Apr 9, 2004 |
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11440857 |
May 25, 2006 |
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11349558 |
Feb 8, 2006 |
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11440857 |
May 25, 2006 |
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60684914 |
May 26, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/61.2 ;
383/64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/2591
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/061.2 ;
383/064 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/16 20060101
B65D033/16 |
Claims
1. A closure assembly, comprising: a first elongate closure member
having a first upper interlocking profile spaced from a first lower
interlocking profile; a second elongate closure member having a
second upper interlocking profile opposite the first interlocking
profile and a second lower interlocking profile opposite the first
lower interlocking profile; and a slider including a separator
member spaced between a first channel wall and a second channel
wall, the slider including an upper closing bar disposed on an
inner surface of one of the first and second channel walls aligned
with the upper interlocking profiles and spaced from a lower
closing bar disposed on an inner surface of one of the first and
second channel walls aligned with the lower interlocking profiles;
wherein the slider is operationally disposed on the first elongate
closure member and the second elongate closure member such that the
slider de-occludes the first upper interlocking profile and the
second upper interlocking profile when moved along the first
elongate closure member and the second elongate closure member in a
first direction without de-occluding the first lower interlocking
profile and the second lower interlocking profile; and wherein the
slider occludes the first upper interlocking profile with the
second upper interlocking profile and occludes the first lower
interlocking profile with the second lower interlocking profile
when moved along the first elongate closure member and the second
elongate closure member in a second direction opposite the first
direction.
2. The closure assembly of claim 1 further including a flange
portion extending beyond the upper interlocking profile of one of
the first and second closure members in a direction opposite the
respective lower interlocking profile, the flange portion not
opposed by the other of the first and second closure members.
3. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the second lower
interlocking profile is a male profile comprising an asymmetrical
barbed head.
4. The closure assembly of claim 3, wherein the asymmetrical barbed
head hooks away from the upper interlocking profiles.
5. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the first upper
interlocking profile comprises a symmetrical male profile, the
second upper interlocking profile comprises a symmetrical female
profile, the first lower interlocking profile comprises a
symmetrical female profile, and the second lower interlocking
profile comprises an asymmetrical hooked male profile.
6. The closure assembly of claim 5, wherein the asymmetrical hooked
male profile is turned away from the upper interlocking
profiles.
7. The closure assembly of claim 1 further comprising an exposed
upper flange extending upwardly beyond the first upper interlocking
profile, wherein the exposed upper flange is offset beyond an upper
edge of an opposing backing member for the second upper
interlocking profile.
8. The closure assembly of claim 7, wherein the exposed upper
flange is an upper portion of a first pouch sidewall, and the
opposing backing member is an upper portion of a second pouch
sidewall.
9. A slider for operatively engaging an elongate resealable closure
mechanism, the slider comprising: a channel defined by a left
channel wall connected to a right channel wall at an upper end
thereof, the channel adapted to receive the elongate resealable
closure mechanism therein through a lower end opposite an upper
end; a lower closure bar protruding into the channel adjacent the
lower end; an upper closure bar protruding into the channel and
spaced between the lower closure bar and the upper end; and a
separator finger spaced between the left channel wall and the right
channel wall, the separator finger being aligned with the upper
closure bar and not aligned with the lower closure bar.
10. The slider of claim 9, wherein the elongate resealable closure
mechanism includes a pair of opposing upper interlocking profiles
spaced from a pair of opposing lower interlocking profiles, and
wherein the separator finger extends between the upper interlocking
profiles and not between the lower interlocking profiles when the
slider is operatively engaged on the resealable closure
mechanism.
11. The slider of claim 10, wherein the upper closure bar engages
one of the upper interlocking profiles and the lower closure bar
engages one of the lower interlocking profiles when the slider is
operatively engaged on the elongate resealable closure
mechanism.
12. The slider of claim 9, wherein the upper closure bar is
substantially vertically coextensive with the upper interlocking
profiles, and the lower closure bar is substantially vertically
coextensive with the lower interlocking profiles.
13. A method of occluding and de-occluding a closure mechanism on a
pouch having a first sidewall and a second sidewall defining an
opening into an interior space therebetween, the method comprising
the steps of: sliding an actuation member along the closure
mechanism in a first direction to de-occlude an exterior pair of
interlocking members; gripping an exposed upper flange above one of
the exterior pair of interlocking members and an opposing one of
the first and second sidewalls; urging the first and second
sidewalls away from each other to de-occlude an interior pair of
interlocking members including an asymmetric interlocking member;
and sliding the actuation member in a second direction opposite the
first direction to re-occlude the exterior and interior pairs of
interlocking members.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the actuation member further
comprises a body defining a channel between two opposing channel
walls, and a separator member disposed in the channel spaced
between the opposing channel walls, and wherein the separator
member extends between the exterior interlocking members and does
not extend between the interior interlocking members.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the actuation member further
comprises a first closure member protruding into the channel and a
second closure member protruding into the channel, and wherein the
first closure member is aligned and substantially coextensive with
the interior pair of interlocking members and the second closure
member is aligned and substantially coextensive with the exterior
pair of interlocking members.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second closure member is
spaced between the first closure member and a top wall of the
channel.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first closure member
comprises a first closure bar disposed on a first one of the
channel walls and a second closure bar opposing the first closure
bar disposed on the other of the channel walls, and the second
closure member comprises a third closure bar disposed on the first
one of the channel walls and a fourth closure bar opposing the
third closure bar disposed on the other of the channel walls.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of urging requires
more force to de-occlude the interior pair of interlocking members
if urged from an interior side of the inner pair of interlocking
members than from an exterior side of the same.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the asymmetric interlocking
member includes a hook that is turned toward the interior
space.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein the asymmetric interlocking
member includes a male member having a first hook on an interior
side and a second hook on an exterior side, wherein the first hook
is smaller than the second hook.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/684,914, filed May 26, 2005, and is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/821,341, filed Apr. 9, 2004, and U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/349,558, filed Feb. 8, 2006, each of which is incorporated
by reference in its entirety herein.
REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
SEQUENTIAL LISTING
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to a closure assembly
including an elongate closure mechanism and a slider operationally
disposed thereon, such as might be used on a pouch.
[0006] 2. Description of the Background of the Invention
[0007] Closure mechanisms that include a slider for occluding and
de-occluding one or more pairs of opposing interlocking profiles
are known. The slider facilitates relatively easy opening and
closing of the interlocking profiles. A difficulty with such
closure mechanisms, however, is preventing leakage around a
separating member when the slider is disposed in a fully closed
position on the interlocking profiles.
[0008] In one instance, a slider includes a separator finger that
extends only between the upper pair of opposing interlocking
profiles so that the slider does not separate the lower pair of
opposing interlocking profiles. When slid along the closure
mechanism in an opening direction, the slider only opens the upper
pair of opposing interlocking profiles. A user then manually opens
the lower pair of opposing interlocking profiles, such as by
pulling the profiles apart. When slid along the closure mechanism
in a closing direction, the slider includes projections that are
adapted to cause the upper and lower pairs of opposing interlocking
profiles to move together and engage mutually.
[0009] In another instance, a slider for a closure mechanism having
upper and lower pairs of opposing interlocking profiles has an
opening plow that separates the upper and lower pairs of
interlocking profiles when slid in an opening direction along the
closure mechanism. The plow is a vertical member depending from a
top wall of the slider and a horizontal member extending laterally
from a lower end of the vertical member outwardly toward left and
right sidewalls of the slider between the upper and lower
interlocking profiles. The horizontal member presses against a
backing member extending between the upper and lower interlocking
profiles to separate the interlocking profiles without having the
vertical member engage the interlocking profiles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, a closure assembly
includes a first elongate closure member having a first upper
interlocking profile spaced from a first lower interlocking
profile, a second elongate closure member having a second upper
interlocking profile opposite the first interlocking profile and a
second lower interlocking profile opposite the first lower
interlocking profile, and a slider including a separator member
spaced between a first channel wall and a second channel wall. The
slider further includes an upper closing bar disposed on an inner
surface of one of the left and right channel walls aligned with the
upper interlocking profiles and spaced from a lower closing bar
disposed on an inner surface of one of the left and right channel
walls aligned with the lower interlocking profiles. The slider is
operationally disposed on the first elongate closure member and the
second elongate closure member such that the slider de-occludes the
first upper interlocking profile and the second upper interlocking
profile when shifted along the first elongate closure member and
the second elongate closure member in a first direction without
de-occluding the first lower interlocking profile and the second
lower interlocking profile. The slider also occludes the first
upper interlocking profile with the second upper interlocking
profile and occludes the first lower interlocking profile with the
second lower interlocking profile when shifted along the first
elongate closure member and the second elongate closure member in a
second direction opposite the first direction.
[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, a slider for
operatively engaging an elongate resealable closure mechanism
includes a channel defined by a left channel wall connected to a
right channel wall at an upper end thereof. The channel is adapted
to receive the elongate resealable closure mechanism therein
through a lower end opposite an upper end. A lower closure bar
protrudes into the channel adjacent the lower end, and an upper
closure bar protrudes into the channel and is spaced between the
lower closure bar and the upper end. A separator finger spaced
between the left channel wall and the right channel wall is aligned
with the upper closure bar and not aligned with the lower closure
bar.
[0012] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method
of occluding and de-occluding a closure mechanism on a pouch having
a first sidewall and a second sidewall defining an opening into an
interior space therebetween includes the step of sliding an
actuation member along the closure mechanism in a first direction
to de-occlude an exterior pair of interlocking members. The method
further includes the steps of gripping an exposed upper flange
above one of the exterior pair of interlocking members and an
opposing one of the first and second sidewalls and urging the first
and second sidewalls away from each other to de-occlude an inner
pair of interlocking members including an asymmetric male hook
member turned toward the interior. Still further, the method
includes the step of sliding the actuation member in a second
direction opposite the first direction to re-occlude the exterior
and interior pairs of interlocking members.
[0013] Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent
upon consideration of the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a partial isometric view of a pouch having a
closure assembly including a slider operatively disposed on a
closure mechanism;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the lines 2-2 of FIG.
1 showing an opening end of the slider; and
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the lines 3-3 of FIG.
1 showing a closing end of the slider.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Turning now to the drawings, a pouch 10 shown in FIG. 1
according to one embodiment has a left pouch sidewall 12 disposed
opposite a right pouch sidewall 14 and defining a mouth 16 into an
interior space 18 between the left and right pouch sidewalls.
(Global relational spatial terms, such as "left" and "right,"
"upper" and "lower," "lateral," etc., are used hereinafter in
reference to the opening end view shown in FIG. 2 for explanatory
purposes only, it being understood that the "left" and "right"
sides are opposite in the closing end view shown in FIG. 3 and that
the global spatial relationships are different when the closure
assembly is oriented differently.) A closure assembly 20 is
disposed at the mouth 16 to facilitate sealing, opening, and/or
re-sealing the pouch 10. The closure assembly 20 includes an
elongate closure mechanism 22 having opposing elongate closure
members disposed on respective opposing pouch sidewalls 12, 14
extending along the mouth 16 and a slider 24 disposed on the
closure mechanism to operationally engage the closure members. The
slider 24 defines a channel 26 that extends between an opening end
28 and a closing end 30, and is sized to receive the closure
mechanism 22 therein. The slider 24 at least partly opens the mouth
16 when shifted along the closure mechanism 22 toward the closing
end 30 and at least partly closes the mouth when shifted along the
elongate resealable closure mechanism toward the opening end
28.
[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the closure mechanism 22 includes
a left closure member 32 and a right closure member 34, each of
which is elongate and disposed along the length of the mouth 16.
The left closure member 32 includes an upper male interlocking
profile 36 and a lower female interlocking profile 38 disposed on a
backing member 40. The right closure member 34 includes an upper
female interlocking profile 42 opposite the upper male interlocking
profile 36 and a lower male interlocking profile 44 opposite the
lower female interlocking profile 38 disposed on a backing member
46. In the depicted embodiment, the upper male and female
interlocking profiles 36, 42 are elongate and resealable with each
other, and similarly, the lower female and male interlocking
profiles 38, 44 are elongate and resealable with each other. In
other embodiments, the left and right closure members 32, 34 may
include non-elongate interlocking members, such as, for example,
hook and loop fastener strips, elongate arrays of discrete
inter-engaging protrusions, etc. The upper male and female
interlocking profiles 36, 42 are spaced between the mouth 16 and
the lower male and female interlocking members 38, 44, defining a
medial space 48 therebetween. Each of the upper and lower female
interlocking profiles 42, 38 includes a pair of inwardly hooked
arms 50 to interlockingly receive the respective opposing upper and
lower male interlocking profiles 36, 44 therein. The upper male
interlocking profile 36 has a symmetrical barbed head 52. The lower
male interlocking profile 44 has an asymmetrical barbed head 54 to
provide a differential opening force, such that more force is
needed to de-occlude the lower male/female interlocking profiles
44, 38 from an interior 18 side of the closure mechanism 22 than
from a mouth 16 side of the closure mechanism. In one embodiment,
the asymmetrical barbed head 54 includes a single hook 56 that is
turned toward the interior 18. In another embodiment (not shown),
the asymmetrical barbed head 54 may include a pair of opposing
hooks in which, for example, a hook on the interior side is larger
than a hook on the mouth side. In a further embodiment (not shown),
both the upper and lower male interlocking profiles 36, 44 may, for
example, have asymmetrical barbed heads or symmetrical barbed
heads, and the upper and lower male interlocking profiles may be
disposed on one backing member and the upper and lower female
interlocking profiles 42, 38 may be disposed on the opposing
backing member. Further, the backing members 40, 46 in one
embodiment are upper portions of the left and right pouch sidewalls
12, 14, and in another embodiment are discrete strips of material
distinct from the left and right pouch sidewalls. In another
embodiment, an upper flange 58 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2)
extends upwardly beyond the upper male interlocking member 36 such
that the upper flange is offset beyond and not directly opposed by
an upper edge 60 of the opposite pouch sidewall 14. The upper
flange 58 in another embodiment may, for example, extend beyond
either one of the closure members 32 or 34 to provide an exposed
strip of material that is not opposed by any portion of the
opposite sidewall 14, or right closure member 34 to aid a user in
grasping and opening the mouth 16.
[0019] The slider 24 includes a left channel wall 70 laterally
spaced from a right channel wall 72, which defines the channel 26.
The left channel wall 70 is connected to the right channel wall 72
at an upper end thereof, such as, for example, by a top channel
wall 74 extending laterally across the channel 26. A separator
member is disposed in the channel 26 spaced between the left
channel wall 70 and the right channel wall 72. In one embodiment
the separator member includes a substantially vertical separator
finger 76 extending downwardly from the top channel wall 74 a
distance sufficient to extend between the upper male and female
interlocking profiles 36, 42 and not between the lower male and
female interlocking profiles 38, 44 when the slider 24 is
operatively disposed on the closure mechanism 22. A lower closure
protrusion, such as an opposing pair of lower closure bars 78
disposed on the left and right channel walls 70, 72, extends into
the channel 26 proximate the lower end thereof. An upper closure
protrusion, such as an opposing pair of upper closure bars 80
disposed on the left and right channel walls 70, 72, extends into
the channel 26 proximate the upper end thereof. The lower closure
bars 78 are vertically aligned and substantially coextensive with
the lower male and female interlocking profiles 38, 44, and the
upper closure bars 80 are vertically aligned and substantially
coextensive with the upper male and female interlocking profiles
36, 42 when the slider 24 is operatively disposed on the closure
mechanism 22. In one embodiment, the upper closure protrusion is
disposed between the lower closure protrusion and the upper end of
the channel 26, such that, in one embodiment the upper closure bars
80 are spaced from the lower closure bars 78, and in another
embodiment the upper closure bars are spaced between the lower
closure bars and the top channel wall 74.
[0020] The closure assembly 20, including the closure mechanism 22
and the slider 24, may be made of any material suitable for
providing a relatively resilient slider and a relatively flexible
closure mechanism. In one embodiment, the slider 24 is molded of
relatively stiff or rigid polymeric material, and the closure
mechanism 22 is extruded with a more pliable polymeric resin.
[0021] Illustratively, to open and/or unseal the closure assembly
20, a user urges the operatively disposed slider 24 along the
closure mechanism 22 in an opening direction toward the closing end
30 in order to de-occlude the upper male and female interlocking
profiles 36, 42. The user may then de-occlude the lower male and
female interlocking profiles 38, 44 by, for example, grasping the
upper flange 58 and urging the left pouch sidewall 12 away from the
right pouch sidewall 14. To close and/or reseal the closure
assembly 20, the user urges the slider 24 in an opposite, closing
direction, i.e., toward the opening end 28 of the slider, along the
closure mechanism 22, thereby occluding the upper male and female
interlocking profiles 36, 42 and the lower male and female
interlocking profiles 38, 44 along the mouth 16.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0022] The closure assembly described herein provides a mechanism
for sealing, opening, and resealing a pouch for storing products
therein. Of course, the closure assembly may be used for sealing
and resealing openings of almost any kind. The opposing upper and
lower interlocking members may form two resealable seals along the
mouth of the pouch, and the slider may be adapted to not
de-occluding the lower interlocking members, thereby ensuring at
least one complete seal across the entire bag mouth when the slider
is in the fully closed position. The asymmetrical barbed head
disposed on the lower male interlocking profile may require a lower
opening force for the user to de-occlude the lower interlocking
profiles when gripping the upper flange and opposite upper pouch
wall edge while requiring a larger opening force from the interior
of the pouch by, for example, food or other products contained
therein.
[0023] Each patent and reference cited herein is incorporated
herein by reference in the entirety thereof. Numerous modifications
to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the
art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this
description is to be construed as illustrative only and is
presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to
make and use the closure assembly of the present invention and to
teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive right to
all modification within the scope of the impending claims is
expressly reserved.
* * * * *