U.S. patent application number 12/651791 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-08 for slider for actuating profiled closing shapes with preferred fold lines.
This patent application is currently assigned to S2F FLEXICO. Invention is credited to Antony Roger.
Application Number | 20100170901 12/651791 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41091991 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100170901 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roger; Antony |
July 8, 2010 |
SLIDER FOR ACTUATING PROFILED CLOSING SHAPES WITH PREFERRED FOLD
LINES
Abstract
The invention relates to a slider for actuating profiled closure
shapes, especially for a closure assembly equipping a sachet,
comprising a base, two flanks, and means adapted for stressing
respectively said profiled closure shapes, by moving towards or
moving away according to the direction of displacement of the
slider along the profiled shapes, for moving the profiled shapes
between a closed latch position and an open separated position,
comprise a longitudinal groove which subdivides its internal space
into two corridors, characterised in that said corridors extend
according to rectilinear and parallel median axes, which represent
preferred fold lines when said flanks are moved away from each
other.
Inventors: |
Roger; Antony;
(Sartrouville, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER LLP;SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
S2F FLEXICO
|
Family ID: |
41091991 |
Appl. No.: |
12/651791 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/324 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/2591
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/324 |
International
Class: |
B65D 45/16 20060101
B65D045/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 5, 2009 |
FR |
09 50006 |
Claims
1. A slider for actuating profiled closure shapes, especially for a
closure assembly equipping a sachet, comprising a base, two flanks
and means adapted for stressing respectively said profiled closure
shapes, by moving towards or moving away according to the direction
of displacement of the slider along the profiled shapes, for moving
the profiled shapes between a closed latch position and an open
separated position, comprise a longitudinal groove which subdivides
its internal space into two corridors, characterised in that said
corridors extend according to median rectilinear and parallel axes,
which represent preferred fold lines when said flanks are moved
away from each other.
2. The slider as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said
groove is extended by a base which overflows on either side of said
groove to constitute guide facets of said profiled shapes.
3. The slider as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said
base overflows on either side of said groove to constitute guide
facets of a protuberance associated with said profiled shapes.
4. The slider as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that along
the longitudinal free edge of each flank extends a stiffening bar,
of a thickness greater than that said flank.
5. The slider as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said bar
has the same longitudinal range as said flank.
6. The slider as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it
comprises load pins projecting on said flanks, in the vicinity of
the end thereof opposite said base, for opening it provisionally
and enabling its engagement on said profiled shapes when stress is
exerted on said pins.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sachets
provided with complementary profiled closure shapes, actuated by a
slider.
[0002] It relates more precisely to a slider for actuating profiled
closure shapes for a closure assembly equipping a sachet.
[0003] Numerous sachets with complementary profiled closure shapes
equipped with sliders have already been proposed.
[0004] The attached FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a slider 1 in
keeping with the prior art.
[0005] In this figure, the profiled shapes with which the slider is
supposed to cooperate have been illustrated and bear the reference
P.sub.1 and P.sub.2, whereas the sachet with which these profiled
shapes are associated is referenced S.
[0006] Such a slider 1 is made of moulded plastic material and has
a generally known structure.
[0007] More precisely, this slider has a cross-section in an
inverse "U" shape, and comprises a base 10 to which are connected
two lateral and parallel wings 11 and 12 known as "flanks". The
longitudinal axis of the slider corresponds to its direction of
movement when it is installed on a sachet with complementary
profiled shapes. The flanks 11 and 12 extend parallel to this
axis.
[0008] As is well known per se, the internal space of the slider
encloses means 13 adapted for stressing the complementary profiled
closure shapes P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 of the sachet, by moving towards
or moving away according to the direction of displacement of the
slider along these profiled shapes. The expression "internal space"
means the space delimited by the base 10 and the flanks 11 and
12.
[0009] Such a slider must be placed on a sachet S whereof the two
sails are provided with complementary profiled closure shapes
P.sub.1 and P.sub.2.
[0010] The technique generally utilised to achieve this consists
overall in deforming the slider so as to momentarily move its
flanks 11 and 12 away from one another (arrow f of FIG. 1), moving
the profiled shapes closer to "cinch" the latter and trap the
protuberances T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 with which they are provided,
then return the flanks to their initial position (arrows g of FIG.
1).
[0011] This displacement of the flanks is implemented for example
by introducing tools "inside" the slider, applying them against the
inner faces of the flanks and moving them away mutually.
[0012] In practice, the pivoting movement of the flanks does not
translate by flexion of the material of the slider in the
attachment zone of the flanks to the base. In fact, this zone is
too thick and rigid to constitute a preferred folding zone.
[0013] In this case, deformation is completed in predetermined
regions of the base.
[0014] Document EP-A-0 479 661 discloses a slider with convergent
corridors.
[0015] Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,666 describes a slider provided
with load pins.
[0016] The aim of the present invention is to further improve
sliders of the prior art so as to produce satisfactory deformation
with a level of acceptable mechanical stress, without risk of
breaking.
[0017] The present invention accordingly relates to a slider for
actuating profiled closure shapes, especially for a closure
assembly equipping a sachet, comprising a base, two flanks, and
means adapted for stressing respectively said profiled closure
shapes, by moving towards or moving away according to the direction
of displacement of the slider along profiled shapes, for moving the
profiled shapes between a closed latch position and an open
separated position, comprise a longitudinal groove which subdivides
its internal space into two corridors.
[0018] This slider is remarkable in that said corridors extend
according to median rectilinear and parallel axes which represent
preferred fold lines when said flanks are moved away from each
other
[0019] These corridors represent preferred fold lines of
rectilinear and parallel range, which very substantially reduces
the risk of breaking, with acceptable levels of mechanical
stress.
[0020] According to other advantageous and non-limiting
characteristics of this slider: [0021] said groove is prolonged by
a base which overflows on either side of said groove to constitute
guide facets of said profiled shapes; [0022] said base overflows on
either side of said groove to constitute guide facets of a
protuberance associated with said profiled shapes; [0023] along the
longitudinal free edge of each flank extends a stiffening bar, of a
thickness greater than that of said flank; [0024] said bar has the
same longitudinal range as said flank; [0025] it comprises
projecting load pins on said flanks, in the vicinity of the end of
those opposite said base, for opening it provisionally and enabling
its engagement on said profiled shapes when stress is exerted on
said pins.
[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will
emerge from the following detailed description of a preferred
embodiment.
[0027] This description will be given in reference to the attached
diagrams, in which:
[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slider according to the
invention, presented in reversed position;
[0029] FIG. 3 is an end view of the slider of FIG. 2;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the slider of FIG. 2;
[0031] FIG. 5 is an end view of the slider of FIG. 2, according to
a direction opposite that of FIG. 3;
[0032] FIGS. 6 and 7 are views equivalent to those in FIGS. 4 and
5, the flanks being illustrated in a spread position;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a view equivalent to FIG. 2, the flanks being
illustrated in a spread position;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 3, the flanks being
illustrated in a spread position;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a view of the slider according to the invention,
in perspective.
[0036] The example of slider of the invention overall has a
structure known per se, close to that of FIG. 1.
[0037] As with this known slider, the slider according to the
invention has a cross-section in an inverse "U" shape, with a base
10 to which are attached two lateral and parallel wings (or flanks)
11 and 12.
[0038] In FIG. 2, it is presented in a position opposite to the one
it occupies when it is in place on a sachet.
[0039] The internal space of the slider encloses means adapted for
stressing complementary profiled closure shapes of a sachet (marked
respectively P.sub.1, P.sub.2 and S in FIG. 1), by moving towards
or moving away according to the direction of displacement of the
slider along these profiled shapes. The expression "internal space"
means the space delimited by the base 10 and the flanks 11 and
12.
[0040] In this case, these means comprise a longitudinal groove 13
which extends according to the longitudinal median plane of the
slider.
[0041] This groove 13, originating from material with the inner
face of the base 10, separates the internal space into two
corridors C.sub.1 and C.sub.2.
[0042] As shown more particularly in FIGS. 3 and 5, the groove
extends downwards via an elongated central base 14 which overflows
on either side of the groove 13 to constitute guide facets of a
protuberance T.sub.1, T.sub.2 (see FIG. 1), here in the form of a
point of an arrow, situated above an associated profiled closure
shape P.sub.1, P.sub.2. Each facet is turned to the base 10.
"Protuberance" denotes any means associated with the corresponding
profiled shape, which allows the slider to cooperate with the
sachet.
[0043] This base 14 comprises a first "wide" part 140, in the
general form of an iron base to be smoothed (that is, overall
triangular when viewed from above), which is prolonged by a
narrower part 141.
[0044] Also, opposite the two parts 140 and 141 of the base 14, the
inner faces of the flanks 11 and 12 each bear a projection 112,
122, respectively 113, 123, which is also provided with a guide
facet of a protuberance.
[0045] The corridors C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 are therefore delimited by
the base 10, the groove 13, and its associated base 14, the inner
faces of the flanks 11 and 12 and their associated projections 112,
122, 113, and 123. In other terms, the corridors C.sub.1 and
C.sub.2 have the form of throats with convergent edges.
[0046] In the example shown here, along the longitudinal free rim
of each flank 11 and 12 extends a stiffening bar 110, respectively
120, of a thickness greater than the remaining part of the
flank.
[0047] In the example shown here, each bar 110 and 120 has on its
free face, opposite the base 10, a keying finger 111, respectively
121.
[0048] In an embodiment which is not shown here, the slider could
have the general structure described in French application No. 07
59545, in which load pins are provided in the extension of the
flanks 11 and 12.
[0049] In the figures, it is evident that the opposite ends of the
slider conform to arches 15, of a thickness greater than the rest
of its body.
[0050] In accordance with the invention, the abovementioned
corridors C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 extend according to rectilinear and
parallel axes X-X', which represent preferred fold lines.
[0051] In practice, these corridors are bordered laterally by the
base of the groove 13 and by the foot of the projections 112, 122,
113, and 123.
[0052] In an attempt to deform the slider according to the
invention, in order to place profiled shapes such as those P.sub.1
and P.sub.2 of FIG. 1, the flanks 11 and 12 are moved apart from
one another, for example by exerting a force on their inner face,
as shown by arrows f of FIG. 8. This allows the corridors C.sub.1
and C.sub.2 to be "opened" and enables placing of the profiled
shapes.
[0053] Once this operation is done, the force is stopped and the
flanks naturally regain their initial position.
[0054] This force is applied most closely to the free end of the
flanks to produce the biggest possible lever arm.
[0055] Of course, the slider "folds" in those zones where there is
least material. These "fold zones" correspond to the regions of the
base 10 deprived of material outgrowth.
[0056] These zones correspond to the corridors C.sub.1 and C.sub.2
of axis X-X'.
[0057] The letter P in FIG. 7 is used to mark the deformation
planes of the slider.
[0058] With respect to parallel planes, the mechanical stresses to
be implemented to produce these deformations are reasonable and the
risks of breaking the slider are reduced.
[0059] Of course, the slider of the invention can be provided
differently to that described here. It can especially be devoid of
stiffening bars.
[0060] In a variant embodiment, not shown, the above axes X-X'
could be marked visually, for example in the form of a line traced
on the inner face of the base 10, or even in the form of a groove
made therein.
* * * * *