US20080002919A1 - Resealable closure mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A resealable closure mechanism includes a first closure including a plurality of profiles including two functional male closure profiles and a first plurality of non-functional male closure profiles, wherein at least one of the non-functional male closure profiles is disposed between the two functional male profiles. A second closure opposes the first closure and includes two female closure profiles configured to interlock with the functional male closure profiles. The non-functional male profiles are configured such that the female profiles cannot interlock therewith.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/806,156, filed Jun. 29, 2006, and entitled “Resealable Closure Mechanism.”
REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
• Not applicable
SEQUENTIAL LISTING
• Not applicable
BACKGROUND
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates generally to closure mechanisms, and more particularly to closure mechanisms having at least one functional male closure profile and at least one female closure profile.
• 2. Description of the Background of the Invention
• A thermoplastic pouch in the form of a bag for the storage of items generally includes a closure mechanism, which has two separate closure strips attached to inner surfaces of opposing pouch walls. A first closure strip typically has one or more continuous closure elements or profiles of various cross-sectional shapes that interlock with one or more closure elements of a second opposing closure strip. These closure mechanisms are known in the art.
• In some instances, closure mechanisms have a zipper strip that has a male profile and a female profile, wherein the male profile has a base and at least one male interlocking member extending from the base toward the female profile. The female profile has a base and at least one female interlocking member extending from the base toward the male profile. The male and female interlocking members are engageable with each other to join the male and female profiles together. One or both of the profiles is provided with at least one high compression member that allows the interlocked profiles to be sealed to thermoplastic film across the widths of respective bases thereof without the interlocking members being crushed or distorted.
• Other closure devices have male and female fastening strips arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined length. The female fastening strip has a female closure element having parallel webs that have hook closure portions. The male fastening strip has a male closure element having parallel webs that also have hook closure portions. The hook portions of the male closure element have guide surfaces to guide the hook portions for occlusion with the female hook portions. The male fastening strip also has wings that are flexible and extend from the base of the fastening strip. The wings terminate in an end portion that projects outwardly from the wings.
• Some fasteners have extruded reclosable plastic profile strips, wherein the profile strips have a plurality of interlocking ribs that have a generally arrow-head shaped cross-section or a fastener rib having a generally arrow-head shaped cross-section on one strip interlockably received in a fastener rib having a generally groove-shaped cross-section on the opposing strip.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• According to one aspect of the present invention, a resealable closure mechanism includes a first closure including a plurality of profiles including two functional male closure profiles and a first plurality of non-functional male closure profiles, wherein at least one of the non-functional male closure profiles is disposed between the two functional male profiles. A second closure opposes the first closure and includes two female closure profiles configured to interlock with the functional male closure profiles. The non-functional male profiles are configured such that the female profiles cannot interlock therewith.
• According to another aspect of the present invention, a resealable closure mechanism includes a first closure strip including a functional male closure profile and a plurality of non-functional male closure profiles, wherein a web of material interconnects the functional and non-functional closure profiles. A second closure strip opposes the first closure strip and includes a female closure profile extending therefrom and configured to interlock with the functional male closure profile. The non-functional male profile is configured such that the female profile cannot interlock therewith.
• Other aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description. Like reference numerals in the drawings designate like structures in the various embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is an front elevational view of a reclosable pouch according to the present application; and
• FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial sectional view taken generally along the lines2-2 ofFIG. 1, omitting portions behind the plane of section for purposes of clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Referring toFIG. 1, a resealable pouch in the form of athermoplastic storage bag10 comprises first andsecond bag walls12,14. The first andsecond bag walls12,14 are joined at first andsecond side portions16,18, respectively, and at abottom portion20. Anopening22 is formed at atop portion24 of thebag10. Afirst closure strip26, extending from thefirst side portion16 to thesecond side portion18, is secured to an inside surface of thefirst bag wall12. Second and third closure strips28a,28bextend from thefirst side portion16 to thesecond side portion18 and are secured to an inside surface of thesecond bag wall14. The first, second, andthird closure strips26,28a,28bare disposed near thetop portion24 of thebag10 and the first closure strip engages the second andthird closure strips28a,28bto comprise a closure mechanism for the bag.
• As best seen inFIG. 2, the second andthird closure strips28a,28binclude first and second spaced apart generally symmetricfemale closure profiles30a,30b, respectively. Thefemale closure profile30aincludes first andsecond legs32a,32bextending therefrom withhooks34a,34bextending downwardly from thelegs32a,32btoward thesecond closure strip28a. Similarly, thefemale closure profile30bincludes first andsecond legs36a,36bextending therefrom withhooks38a,38bextending downwardly from thelegs36a,36btoward thesecond closure strip28b.
• Theclosure strip26 includes a web ofmaterial37 interconnecting a plurality of male closure profiles40a-40j. Themale profiles40a,40b,40d-40g,40i, and40jare non-functional male closure profiles in that they are not adapted to engage other closure profiles and themale profiles40cand40hare functional male closure profiles in that they are adapted to engage other closure profiles. Thenon-functional male profiles40a,40bare disposed between thetop portion24 of thebag10 and the functional male profile40c, thenon-functional male profiles40d-40gare disposed between thefunctional male profiles40cand40h, and thenon-functional male profiles40iand40jare disposed between the functionalmale profile40handbottom portion20 of thebag10.
• In one embodiment, the functionalmale closure profiles44c,44hhave the same general cross-sectional shape. For example, each of the functionalmale closure profiles40c,40hincludes astem42c,42hwith twoopposing hook portions44c,44h, respectively, that form a generally arrow-shaped cross-section. Thehook portions44c,44hextend downwardly fromtop portions45c,45hof thestems42c,42htoward thefirst closure strip26, wherein thefunctional male profiles40c,40hare aligned with thefemale profiles30a,30b, respectively. The hook portions44cof the functional male closure profile40cengage thehooks38aof thefemale closure profile30aand thehook portions44hof the functionalmale closure profile40hengage thehooks38bof thefemale closure profile30bto form a closure mechanism to seal thebag10.
• Thenon-functional male profiles40a,40b,40d-40g,40i, and40jincludestems50a,50b,50d-50g,50i, and50jeach having twoopposing hook portions52a,52b,52d-52g,52i, and52j, respectively. Thehook portions52a,52b,52d-52g,52i, and52jextend downwardly frommiddle portions54a,54b,54d-54g,54i, and54jof thestems50a,50b,50d-50g,50i, and50jtoward thefirst closure strip26. Thehook portions52a,52b,52d-52g,52i, and52jare disposed a distance from thebag wall12 small enough to prevent thehooks38a,38bof thefemale closure profiles30a,30bfrom engaging thehook portions52a,52b,52d-52g,52i, and52jof the non-functionalmale closure profiles40a,40b,40d-40g,40i, and40j.
• Illustratively if, as a user is closing theclosure strips26,28a,28b, pressure is exerted on one or both of thefemale closure profiles30a,30btoward one of the non-functionalmale closure profiles40a,40b,40d-40g,40i, and40j, thefemale closure profile30a,30bwill slide up therespective stem50a,50b,50d-50g,50i, and50jof the non-functionalmale closure profile40a,40b,40d-40g,40i, and40j, but will not engage thehook portions52a,52b,52d-52g,52i, and52jthereof. Instead, thefemale closure profile30a30bwill pop off the respective non-functionalmale closure profile40a,40b,40d-40g,40i, and40jand realign with other male closure profiles40a-40juntil thefemale closure profile30a,30bengages a functionalmale closure profile40c,40h.
• Although the embodiment ofFIG. 2 depicts afirst closure strip26 with ten male closure profiles40a-40j, any number and/or shape of male closure profiles may be used as long as a plurality non-functional male closure profiles surround one or more functional male closure profiles. Further, any number of female closure profiles may be utilized as long as a number of functional male closure profiles are present and aligned for engagement with the female closure profiles to provide a closure mechanism for thebag10.
• In one embodiment, thefirst closure strip26 is extruded onto thefirst bag wall12 using a die plate shaped to form the male closure profiles40a-40jand the web ofmaterial37 connecting the male closure profiles40a-40j. Each of thefemale closure profiles30a,30bmay be extruded separately onto thesecond bag wall14 such that there is no separate material other than thebag wall14 connecting thefemale closure profiles30a,30b.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
• The embodiments of the thermoplastic storage bag as described herein advantageously provide a consumer with a bag having a closure mechanism, wherein the closure mechanism comprises at least one functional male closure profile, a plurality of non-functional male closure profiles, and at least one female closure profile. The functional male closure profile and the female closure profile provide a resealable closure for the bag. The non-functional male closure profiles may provide a stabilizer and a guide for a user's fingers. The non-functional male closure profiles further may aide in aligning the functional male closure profile with the female closure profile.
• Numerous modifications 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 embodiments of the application and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications, which come within the scope of the appended claims, are reserved.

Claims (20)

1. A resealable closure mechanism, comprising:

a first closure including a plurality of profiles including two functional male closure profiles and a plurality of non-functional male closure profiles, wherein at least one non-functional male closure profiles is disposed between the two functional male profiles; and

a second closure opposing the first closure and including two female closure profiles configured to interlock with the functional male closure profiles;

wherein the non-functional male profiles are configured such that the female profiles cannot interlock therewith.

2. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 1, wherein the functional and non-functional male closure profiles of the first closure are interconnected by a web of material.

3. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 2, wherein the functional male profiles include two hooks portions forming arrow-shaped profiles.

4. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 3, wherein the female closure profiles are disposed on separate closure strips.

5. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 4, wherein the female closure profiles include first and second legs extending from a base portion, wherein the legs terminate in hooks that engage the hook portions of the respective functional male profiles.

6. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 1, wherein the first closure is disposed on a first wall of a bag and the second closure is disposed on a second wall of the bag.

7. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 6, wherein at least one non-functional male closure profile is disposed between an uppermost functional male closure profile and a top portion of the bag.

8. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 7, wherein at least one non-functional male closure profiles is disposed between a lowermost functional male closure profile and a bottom portion of the bag.

9. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 6, wherein each of the non-functional male profiles includes a stem and opposing hook portions extending outwardly from the stem.

10. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 9, wherein the hook portions of the non-functional male profiles extend from middle portions of the stems such that a distance between the hook portions and the bag wall is small enough to prevent hooks of the female closure profiles from engaging the hook portions.

11. A resealable closure mechanism, comprising:

a first closure strip including a functional male closure profile and a plurality of non-functional male closure profiles, wherein a web of material interconnects the functional and non-functional closure profiles; and

a second closure strip opposing the first closure strip and including a female closure profile extending therefrom and configured to interlock with the functional male closure profile;

wherein the non-functional male profile is configured such that the female profile cannot interlock therewith.

12. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 11, wherein the first closure strip further includes an additional functional male closure profile.

13. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 12, further including a third closure strip opposing the first closure strip and having a second female closure profile extending therefrom and configured to interlock with the additional functional male closure profile.

14. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 13, wherein the functional male profiles include two hooks portions forming arrow-shaped profiles.

15. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 14, wherein the female closure profiles include first and second legs extending from a base portion, wherein the legs terminate in hooks that engage the hook portions of the respective functional male profiles.

16. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 15, wherein the first closure strip is attached to a first wall of a bag and the second and third closure strips are attached to a second wall of the bag.

17. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 11, wherein at least one non-functional male closure profiles is disposed between an uppermost functional male closure profile and a top portion of the bag.

18. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 17, wherein at least one non-functional male closure profiles is disposed between a lowermost functional male closure profile and a bottom portion of the bag.

19. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 18, wherein each of the non-functional male profiles includes a stem and opposing hook portions extending outwardly from the stem.

20. The resealable closure mechanism ofclaim 19, wherein the hook portions of the non-functional male profiles extend from middle portions of the stems such that a distance between the hook portions and the bag wall is small enough to prevent hooks of the female closure profiles from engaging the hook portions.

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