Enhancement to a Closure Mechanism for a Reclosable Pouch and a Method of Opening Same

• US 20110044565A1
• Filed: 08/20/2009
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Gustafson, David W., Pawloski, James C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,192,085 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 383/63
• 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

Abstract

An enhancement to a closure mechanism includes at least one flange that extends upwardly from an interlocking member of the closure mechanism. A line of transverse indentations is formed into the flange parallel to the interlocking member.

Claims

1. An enhancement to a closure mechanism comprising a first interlocking member having an elongate profile projecting from an interior surface of the closure mechanism and extending longitudinally between opposite ends of the closure mechanism and a first flange having an elongate profile projecting upwardly from the interlocking member and extending between opposite ends of the closure mechanism, wherein the enhancement comprises:

a first line of transverse indentations formed into an interior surface of the first flange, wherein the first line is substantially parallel to the first interlocking member.

2. The enhancement to a closure mechanism of claim 1, wherein the transverse indentations comprise slits in the first flange that extend only part way through the first flange.

3. The enhancement to a closure mechanism of claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism further comprises a second flange extending upwardly from a second interlocking member and having an elongate profile extending longitudinally between the opposite ends of the closure mechanism, wherein the second interlocking member resealably interlocks with the first interlocking member along the length of the closure mechanism.

4. The enhancement to a closure mechanism of claim 3, further comprising one or more first grip strips disposed on the interior surface of the first flange coincident with the first line of transverse indentations.

5. The enhancement to a closure mechanism of claim 4, further comprising one or more second grip strips disposed on an interior surface of the second flange, wherein the second grip strip is substantially parallel to and spaced from the second interlocking member.

6. The enhancement to a closure mechanism of claim 3, further comprising a second line of transverse indentations formed into an interior surface of the second flange, wherein the second line of transverse indentations is substantially parallel to the second interlocking member.

7. The enhancement to a closure mechanism of claim 6, further comprising one or more first grip strips disposed on the interior surface of the first named flange coincident with the first line of transverse indentations.

8. The enhancement to a closure mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an other line of transverse indentations formed on an exterior surface of the first flange, wherein the other line is disposed above and substantially parallel to the first interlocking member.

9. A reclosable pouch comprising:

a closure mechanism having first and second elongate resealable members disposed longitudinally across opposing interior surfaces of a mouth of the pouch;

a flange extending transversely upwardly from the first elongate resealable member away from an interior of the pouch; and

a line of transverse indentations formed in an interior surface of the flange, wherein the line is substantially parallel to the first elongate resealable member.

10. The reclosable pouch of claim 9, further comprising a grip strip disposed on the interior surface of the flange coincident with the line of transverse indentations.

11. The reclosable pouch of claim 9, further comprising a second flange extending upwardly from the second elongate resealable member.

12. The reclosable pouch of claim 11, further comprising a grip strip disposed on the interior surface of the first named flange coincident with the line of transverse indentations.

13. The reclosable pouch of claim 12, further comprising a second grip strip disposed on an interior surface of the second flange, wherein the second grip strip is substantially parallel to and spaced from the second elongate resealable member.

14. The reclosable pouch of claim 11, further comprising a second line of transverse indentations formed into an interior surface of the second flange, wherein the line is substantially parallel to the second elongate resealable member.

15. The reclosable pouch of claim 9, wherein the first and second resealable members comprise elongate interlocking profiles that extend from one end of the closure mechanism to the other end of the closure mechanism.

16. The reclosable pouch of claim 9, further comprising an other line of transverse indentations formed into an exterior surface of the flange, wherein the other line of transverse indentations is substantially parallel to the first interlocking member.

17. A method of opening a resealable closure mechanism on a pouch comprising the steps of:

providing a pouch comprising a closure mechanism having first and second interlocking members having an elongate profile disposed longitudinally across a mouth of the pouch, a first flange extending transversely upwardly from the first interlocking member, a second flange extending transversely upwardly from the second interlocking member, and a line of transverse indentations formed into an interior surface of the first flange, wherein the line is substantially parallel to the first interlocking member;

grasping the first flange with a first hand at the line of transverse indentations;

grasping the second flange with a second hand; and

pulling the first flange away from the second flange to forcibly separate the first and second interlocking members.

18. The method of opening a resealable closure mechanism on a pouch of claim 17, wherein the first flange further includes a grip strip disposed on the interior surface thereof coincident with the line of transverse indentations, and wherein the step of grasping the first flange comprises grasping the first flange with a first hand at the grip strip.

19. The method of opening a resealable closure mechanism on a pouch of claim 18, wherein the second flange further includes a second line of transverse indentations formed into an interior surface thereof, wherein the second line is substantially parallel to the second interlocking member, and wherein the step of grasping the second flange comprises grasping the second flange with the second hand at the second line of transverse indentations.

20. The method of opening a resealable closure mechanism on a pouch of claim 19, wherein the second flange further includes a second grip strip disposed on the interior surface thereof coincident with the second line of transverse indentations, and wherein the step of grasping the second flange comprises grasping the second flange with a second hand at the second grip strip.