Closure arrangement for reclosable bag and method thereof

• US 5,878,468 A
• Filed: 01/21/1997
• Issued: 03/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Reynolds Presto Products Inc. (Graeme Richard Hart, MBA)
• Original Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Tomic, Mladomir, May, Timothy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): SANDY, ROBERT JOHN
• Application Number:
  US08/786,511
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 24/577, 24/576, 24/575, 24/399, 24/400, 24/587, 24/586, 383/63-66
• US Class Current: 24/585.12
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 19/16 Interlocking member having uniform section throughout the length of the stringer for sacks or bags B65D33/2508
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 1/08 wherein the tools are carried by, and in operation move relative to, a rotative drum or similar support
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 1/12 to notch margins of work
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 70/8132 Applying the closure elements in the machine direction
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/255 being provided with special visual, audible or tactile indicating means, e.g. indicating proper engagement B65D33/2516 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/2558 the slide fastener having a non-constant section throughout the length of the fastener, e.g. slightly undulated interlocking members or castellated stringers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/38 Each mating member having similarly shaped, sized, and operated interlocking face
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/39 including elongated face having identical, parallel cross sections throughout its length
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/50 including member having elongated, resilient, interlocking face with identical, parallel cross-sections throughout its length
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45157 Zipper-type [e.g., slider]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45168 for container [e.g., bag]

Abstract

A flexible bag includes a female profile and a male profile cooperatively arranged to inhibit interlock-blockage caused by small substances. The female profile includes first and second opposing legs. Each of the legs of the female profile includes a securing head at an extended end, a base adapted for attachment to the first panel section of the bag. A neck is between the securing head and the base. At least one of the first and second legs has a plurality of portions removed to form a first series of breaks. The portions removed include the securing head and the neck. The male profile is adapted for attachment to the second panel section of the bag, and is arranged to interlock with the first and second legs. A method of constructing a flexible bag, and a method for using a flexible bag are also described.

Claims

1. A zipper for a reclosable bag having first and second opposing panel sections, the zipper comprising:

a female profile including first and second opposing legs each including a securing head at an extended end, a base adapted for attachment to the first panel section of the bag, and a neck between the securing head and the base;

at least one of the first and second legs having a plurality of portions removed to form a first series of breaks, the portions removed including the securing head and the neck; and

a male profile, adapted for attachment to the second panel section of the bag, arranged to interlock with the first and second legs, wherein the male profile includes an attachment portion adapted for attachment to the second panel section, a securing member at an extended end, and a stem between the attachment portion and the securing member and the male profile includes a second plurality of portions removed to form a second series of breaks, the second plurality of portions removed including the securing member and the stem.

2. The zipper of claim 1, wherein the first series of breaks includes a plurality of portions removed from both the first and second legs, the portions removed including the securing head and the neck.

3. The zipper of claim 2, wherein the breaks are spaced apart by a distance within a range of 1/32 inch to 1/16 inch.

4. The zipper of claim 2, wherein the first series of breaks is spaced about one break every 2 inches.

5. The zipper of claim 1, wherein the male profile has a cross-sectional T-like shape.

6. The zipper of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second legs of the female profile has a cross-sectional J-like shape.

7. The zipper of claim 1, wherein the second series of breaks is spaced apart by a distance within a range of 1/32 inch to about 1/16 inch.

8. The zipper of claim 1, wherein the second series of breaks is spaced about one break every 2 inches.