US3226787A - Double extruded fastener strips - Google Patents

Description

PLASTIC FEED \46 i5/ F|G4 INVENTOR STEVEN AUSNIT PLASTIC; FEED FIGB ,bwfwf- ATTORNEY S. AUSNIT DOUBLE EXTRUDED FASTENER STRIPS Filed May 17, 1962 Jan. 4, 1966 United States Patent 3,226,787 DOUBLE EXTRUDED FASTENER STRIPS Steven Ausnit, 124 E. 61st St., New York, N..Y. Filed May 17, 1962, Ser. N0. 195,444 Claims. (Cl. 24-201) The present invention rela-tes to an improved flexible closure structure for a pouch -or bag and, to an improved method and die structure for making the flexible closure structure.

More particularly, the invention relates to an improved closure structure and method of making the same wherein the cl-osure structure is formed as a flexible integral sheet or as a pair of sheets by being extruded from a single or pair of die openings shaped to form the elongated sheet with integral laterally spaced linearly extending interlocking portions on the sheet. The llexible sheets or strips are simultaneously extruded, positioned so that the interlocking or fastenerelements are facing each other so that they may be mated -or joined by being pressed together without altering position.

The invention further relates to a preferred flexible closure arrangement of the type describe-d, wherein interlocki-ng closure elements are provided on the same strip and the strip is doubled withrows of perforations extending through the strip and being in facing relationship in the doubled strip so` as to deline a doubled tear strip at `the top for removing in order to open a pouch to which the closure is attached.

Accordingly, an object of the present vinvention is to provide an improved ilex-ible closure structure with 4an improve-d method and die for forming the strip which obtains advan-tages over flexible closure structures heretofore available.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method and a die for simultaneously extruding plural strips in a manner which reflects a saving in time and handling.

A still further yobject of the invention is to provide an improved flexible closure strip 'structure having an improved removable porti-on for holding the separable interlocking strips together and which can be torn from the strips fat the time of use.

kA further object of the invention' is to provide an improved method and die for forming closure strips having interlocking fastener'proles thereon positioned to face each other and wherein the strips are formed as integral parts of sheets being displaced `in opposed relationship with reference to the die and with reference to the position of the interlocking elements on the strips. 4`Other objects, advantages and featureswill become more apparent with the teaching of the principles of the invention in lconnection with the disclosure of the preferred embodiments thereof in the specification, yclaims and drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view with a vertical section taken therethrough shown in somewhat schematic form of a container with a reopenable flexible closure of the type formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, attached thereto;

FIGURE 2 is la front elevational view shown in schematic form of a die opening for forming closure sheets or strips in accor-dance with the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a front eleva-tional View of a'die shown in schematic form of another arrangement for forming a flexible closure structure;

FIGURE 4 is an end velevational view of a liexible closure sheet or strip illustrating another arrangement;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the sheet of FIG- URE 4 being further prepared; and

FIGURE 6 is a perspec-tive view of thesheet of FIG- URES 4 and 5 illustrating the function of the tear strip at the top during use.

As shown on the drawings:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a bag or pouch llt) with a section taken vertically through the pouch. The pouch is formed of a suitable material such as a thin thermoplastic, e.g. polyethylene or like material, wherein sheets are seame-d or folded at their base 11 and along their sides t-o form a closed container orbag 10.

Thebag 10 is closed at its top by a pair of fastener orclosure strips 12 and 13 which are secured to thetop edges 14 and 1S of the bag 1l). This securement is effected such as by heat welding or a sui-table cement or other suitable attachment means, and theclosure strips 12 and 13 are closable and reopenable for access to the bag.

The closure strips haveweb portions 16 and 17 which provide a means for attachment to thebag 10, and have interlocking ormarginal portions 18 and 19 on the web portion-s, and these are provided with pressure interlocking elements preferably in the form of ribs and grooves. This is illustrated by a rib 2) on thestrip 13 which lockingly ts into 4agroove 21 on the strip 12. The strip 12 is shown with a pair of ribs which fare received by grooves in thestrip 13, and similarly the strip y13 has a pair of ribs which are lockingly received in grooves on the strip 12, and these structures need not be further described in detail inasmuch as various arrangements known to the art may be provi-ded. Basically, the strips are formed of a exible resilient material so that pressure applied to the surfaces will force the ribs which have enlarged heads to sea-t in the base of the grooves and be lockingly retained thereby. The strips can be forceably separated and for this purpose are provided Wi-th manuallygrippable flanges 22 and 23 which enable the strips to be pulled apart. Other arrangements may be used such as a slider which forces these strips together when moved in a closing direc-tion and separates the strips when moved in an opening direction.

Vari-ous suitable materials may be employed for theclosure strips 12 and 13 4and they are basically made of a resilientl material which aords the properties desired and is suited for forming the strips by extruding the material through a die. Preferably, a thermoplastic synthetic resin material is used, such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, halogenated polyethylenes, polyvinyl acetate and polyethylene, and copolymers, heteropolymers and mixtures thereof. Of particular importance for manufacture of the closure strips and/or the container are the vinyl type resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride-polyvinyl acetate copolymers, -and similar vinyl resins, and polyethylene.

In FIGURE 2 a dieplate 24 is shown schematically with a. pair of parallel elongateddie openings 25 and 26 which form rst and second linearly extending flexible closure sheets which together provide two pairs of closure strips. The die plate is arranged in a manner known to those versed in the art, with a plastic chamber for forcing plastic through theopenings 215 and 26 and a pressureplastic feed mechanism 27 is suitably connected to the plate.

Thesheet 25a formed by the die opening has first and second interlockingportions 28 and 29 formed thereon integral with thesheet 25a. The interlocking portions are formed by openings which project from the sides of the opening and are shaped to form suitable pressure interlocking elements. Theopenings 23 and 29 project toward thesecond sheet 26a, and thelirst sheet 25a will have the interlocking elements extending continuously linearly therealong. The interlocking elements are spaced inwardly from the edges of thesheet 25a, and are spaced from each other, separated by aportion 32 which Will later be severed to form flanges such as 22 in FIGURE 1.

The opening 26 forms thesheet 26a, and openings 30 and 3f project from the side of the opening 26 toward the first opening to form irst and second pressure interlocking elements respectively. The interlocking elements formed by the openings and 31 are shaped to respectively matingly coact and interlock with the interlocking elements formed by theopenings 28 and Z9. The interlocking elements formed by theopenings 30 and 31 are separated by astraight rportion 33, which will later be cut to form flanges similar to the iiange 23 of FIGURE 1.

As thesheets 25a and 26a are extruded, it will be noted that the interlocking elements formed by theopenings 28 and 30 are positioned opposed to each other, and the interlocking elements formed by theopenings 29 and 31V are similarly opposed to each other, so that they are in a position to be readily joined for immediate use or for later storage, and the portions formed by theareas 32 and 33 can be cut to form two separate closure strip assemblies.

The openings 3) and 3l are positioned relative to the elongatedlinear opening 26 so that aflexible hinge element 34, 35 will join the interlocking fastener elements to the web portion. This is shown in the finished structure in FIGURE l, by thehinge element 1% which is suiciently flexible so that the web portion I7 can freely pivot in or out with respect to themarginal portion 19 without tending to act as a lever to pull the ribs out from the grooves. 'v

FIGURE 3 illustrates a die 36 with plastic delivered thereto from a plastic feed mechanism 3S. The die 36 has a first pair of parallelelongated openings 37 and 33 to form closure sheets or strips. The die opening has a second pair of parallelelongated openings 39 and 40 to form a second pair of closure sheets or strips. First andsecond fastener openings 41 and 42 project from the sides of theelongated openings 37 and 38 shaped to form coacting interlocking fastener elements. Similarly, first andsecond fastener openings 43 and 44 project toward each other from the sides of the elongated openings 3% and 40. ln this manner, two pairs of strips are simultaneously formed each with their coacting interlocking elements in facing relationship for the application of pressure to be interlocked without change of position or loss of assembly'time.

In accordance with the method performed by the arrangements of FIGURES 2 and 3, flexible closure sheets are formed by simultaneously extruding a pair of sheets parallel to each other and laterally spaced with releasably interlocking fastener elements thereon facing toward each other and in mating interlocking aligned relationship but spaced apart.

FIGURE 4 illustrates aclosure sheet 43 formed of flexible resilient material withmarginal fastener portions 44 and 45 thereon shaped to coactingly interlock with each other. The fastener portions have interlocking rib and groove elements thereon facing in the same lateral direction so that when the sheet is doubled, as illustrated in FIGURE 5, the interlocking elements'will be in facing mating relationship. The interlockingl elements are separated by acentral strip 46, and are spaced inwardly from the outer edges to provideweb portions 47 and 48.

To further prepare the sheet, it is doubled as shown in FIGURE 5*, and first and secondparallel rows 49 and 5@ of perforations are placed through the central strip. Perforations are substantially equidistant from thefastener portions 44 and 45 so that when the strip is doubled Ythe perforations will be opposite each other.

The perforations in effect provide tear lines or lines of weakened resistance, and may take various suitable forms although perforations are preferred. The perforations may be placed in the material of the sheet by perforating wheels Sl and 52 having circumferentially spaced perforating points and aspacer sheet 53 may be placed between the doubled closure sheet .to prevent the 4 perforating wheels from cutting through to the opposite layer and each cuts its own layer.

FIGURE 6 illustrates the closure sheet as it will appear at the top of a container. Between the rows of perforations is atear strip 54, and this tear strip can conveniently be removed at the time when the container is to be opened and the closure strips are to be separated. Prior to opening of the container thetear strip 54 protects the fastener elements and prevents the container from being inadvertently opened. It is also readily easy to determine whether a prior or unauthorized opening has been accomplished since theltear strip 54 must ii'rst be removed before effective access to the container can be obtained.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an improved closure structure and method and die for forming the structure, which meets the objectives, advantages and features above set forth. The invention provides advantages o'ver arrangements heretofore available and effects an improved operation and a saving in manufacturing costs and assembly.

The drawings and specification present a detailed disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific forms disclosed, but covers all modifications, changes and alternative constructions and methods falling within the scope of the principles taught by thev invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A flexible closure structure comprising a exible plastic closure strip having side edges, a male fastener element integral with said strip extending parallel to a first edge spaced inwardly therefrom,

a female fastener element integral with said strip parallel to the male element and spaced inwardly from the other edge of the sheet and being shaped to coactingly releasibly pressure interlock with the male' element,

said elements being spaced with a planar sheet portion therebetween,

said closure strip having marginal bag attaching edge planar areas outside of said fastener elements at each side edge of the strip for attaching to the mouth of a bag,

said elements being positioned on' the same surface of the sheet s'o that the sheet may be doubled and said planar sheet'portion form a doubled flange bridging said elements and closing they bag and having a severable portion for severj ance to grant access to the bag.

2. A flexible closure structure in accordance with claim l wherein saidmale and female fastener elements each include a pair of ribs and grooves with the ribs having enlarged heads to seat in the base of the grooves and be llockingly retained thereby.

3. A flexible closure structure comprising a flexible plastic closure strip having side edges,

a male fastener element integral with said strip extending parallel to a first edge spaced inwardly therefrom.

a female fastener element integral with said lstrip parallel to the male element and spaced inwardly from the other edge of the sheet and being shaped to coactingly releasibly pressure interlock with the .rnale element,

said elements being spaced with aplanar sheet portion therebetween,

said closure strip having marginal bag attaching edge planar areas outside of said fastener elementsat each side edge of the strip for attaching to the mouth of a bag,

said elements being positioned on the same surface of the sheet so that the sheet may be doubled and said planar sheet portion form a doubled flange bridging said elements and closing the bag and having a severable portion for severance to grant access to the bag,

one of said fastener elements being joined to the sheet by a hinge member at the edge of the element closest the other element.

4. A flexible closure structure comprising a exible plastic closure strip having side edges, a male fastener element integral with said strip extending parallel to a rst edge spaced inwardly therefrom,

a female fastener element integral With said strip parallel to the male element and spaced inwardly from the other edge of the sheet and being shaped to coactingly releasibly pressure interlock with the male element,

said elements being spaced with a planar sheet portion therebetween,

said closure strip having marginal bag attaching edge planar areas outside of said fastener elements at each side edge of the strip for attaching to the mouth of a bag,

said elements being positioned on the same surface of the sheet so that the sheet may be doubled and said planar sheet portion form a doubled ilange bridging said elements and closing the bag and adapted to be severed to grant access to the bag,

and means defining parallel tear lines of weakened sheet strength along said planar sheet portion spaced substantially equidistant from said fastener elements so that an area between said tear lines in said planar sheet portion may be removed for access to a bag to which the closure strips are attached and for separation of the fastener elements.

5. A flexible closure structure in accordance with claim 4 wherein said tear lines are formed by perforations in the material.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1941 Dau 18-59 11/1948 Werner 264-178 2/1951 Wahl 18-5 4/ 1957 Post. 5/1957 Morin 264-171 7/1957 Dorman 24-201 10/1959 Botti 24-201 5 1962 Lieschke 229-66 6/1962 Plummer 164-177 6/ 1962 Cloudsley 229-66 7/ 1962 Monahan 229-66 12/1963 Jacobs.

1/ 1964 Schoen 229-66FOREIGN PATENTS 1/ 1962 Canada. 8/ 1961 Germany. 7/1960 Great Britain. 3/ 1956 Norway. 11/ 1952 Switzerland.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

ABRAHAM G. STONE, DONLEY J. STOCKING,

BERNARD A. GELAK, Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. A FLEXIBLE CLOSURE STRUCTURE COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE PLASTIC CLOSURE STRIP HAVING SIDE EDGES, A MALE FASTENER ELEMENT INTEGRAL WITH SAID STRIP EXTENDING PARALLEL TO A FIRST EDGE SPACED INWARDLY THEREFROM, A FEMALE FASTENER ELEMENT INTEGRAL WITH SAID STRIP PARALLEL TO THE MALE ELEMENT AND SPACED INWARDLY FROM THE OTHER EDGE OF THE SHEET AND BEING SHAPED TO COACTINGLY RELEASIBLY PRESSURE INTERLOCK WITH THE MALE ELEMENT, SAID ELEMENTS BEING SPACED WITH A PLANAR SHEET PORTION THEREBETWEEN, SAID CLOSURE STRIP HAVING MARGINAL BAG ATTACHING EDGE PLANAR AREAS OUTSIDE OF SAID FASTENER ELEMENTS AT EACH SIDE EDGE OF THE STRIP FOR ATTACHING TO THE MOUTH OF A BAG, SAID ELEMENTS BEING POSITIONED ON THE SAME SURFACE OF THE SHEET SO THAT THE SHEET MAY BE DOUBLED AND SAID PLANAR SHEET PORTION FROM A DOUBLED FLANGE BRIDGING SAID ELEMENTS AND CLOSING THE BAG AND HAVING A SEVERABLE PORTION FOR SEVERANCE TO GRANT ACCESS TO THE BAG.

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