BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reclosable package with a first embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially in cross section, of the first embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially in cross section, of the first embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention, shown in the configuration which is free of interlocking.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a reclosable package with a first variation of the first embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially in cross section, of a first variation of the first embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view, partially in cross section, of a first variation of the first embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention, shown in the configuration which is free of interlocking.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a reclosable package with a second variation of the first embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third variation of the first embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view, partially in cross section, of a fourth variation of the first embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention, shown with the tabs in retracted position.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view, partially in cross section, of a fourth variation of the first embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention, shown with the tabs in an upright position.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view, partially in cross section, of a fourth variation of the first embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention, shown in the configuration which is free of interlocking.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention, shown in the interlocked configuration.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention, shown in the configuration which is free of interlocking.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention, shown in the interlocked configuration.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the press-to-open zipper of the present invention, shown in the rotated configuration so as to be free of interlocking.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one see that FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reclosable package 100 with the first embodiment of the zipper 10 of the present invention. Reclosable package 100 includes first and second co-extensive web sheets 102, 104, joined by bottom seal 106 and side seals 108, 110 (one of seals 106, 108, 110 could be replaced by a fold) thereby forming mouth 112 which is selectively opened or closed by zipper 10. Zipper 10 includes first and second interlocking profiles 12, 14 which are joined respectively to first and second web sheets 102, 104. First and second interlocking profiles 12, 14 are likewise joined to each other at ends 16, 18. As shown in FIG. 2, first interlocking profile 12 has male interlocking element 20 which is received by female interlocking element 21 of second interlocking profile 14. Those skilled in the art will recognize a broad range of equivalents for the interlocking elements after review of the present disclosure.
When first and second interlocking profiles 12, 14 are interlocked to each other, mouth 112 is closed and the contents of reclosable package are contained therein. Likewise, when first and second interlocking profiles 12, 14 are free of interlocking with each other, mouth 112 is open and the contents, such as, but not limited to, snacks or other foodstuffs, of reclosable package are available to the user.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, first and second extensions 22, 24 extend obliquely from the consumer side of first and second interlocking profiles 12, 14, respectively. First pivot or fulcrum line 26 is formed at the interior intersection of first interlocking profile 12 and first extension 22. Likewise, second pivot or fulcrum line 28 is formed at the interior intersection of second interlocking profile 14 and second extension 24. As shown by the transition from the configuration shown in FIG. 2 to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the user can start with the interlocking profiles 12, 14 in the closed position and, then, squeeze first and second extensions 22, 24 together (which can be done with a thumb and forefinger of a single hand) which causes the first and second pivot or fulcrum lines 26, 28 to serve as fulcrums so that first and second interlocking elements 12, 14 pivot with respect to each and become free of interlocking with each other as shown in FIG. 3. Using a plastic with a higher modulus of elasticity (such as high density polyethylene) will cause a larger portion of the length of the zipper to open.
In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, first and second extensions 22, 24 are substantially co-extensive in length with first and second interlocking elements 20, 21. However, FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a first variation of the first embodiment wherein first and second extensions 22, 24 are formed as tabs inwardly adjacent from end 16 of zipper 10. FIG. 7 illustrates a second variation of the first embodiment wherein first and second extensions 22, 24 are formed in a central location of zipper 10.
FIG. 8 illustrates a third variation of the first embodiment wherein first and second extensions 22, 24 are formed as tabs on the outer sides of first and second interlocking profiles 12, 14 and wherein the upper inner edges 13, 15 of first and second interlocking profiles 12, 14 act as pivot or fulcrum lines.
FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a fourth variation of the third embodiment wherein first and second extensions 22, 24 can be folded to a retracted position. This may be advantageous in reducing inadvertent opening. First and second extensions 22, 24 include respective first and second support sections 40, 42 which are fixed (and in some embodiments, integral with) to the outer sides of first and second interlocking profiles 12, 14 and attached by first and second living hinges 44, 46 to first and second upper pivoting extension segments 48, 50. First and second upper pivoting extension segments 48, 50 include lower oblique faces 52, 54 which act as stops when first and second upper pivoting extension segments 48, 50 are pivoted from the retracted or folded position of FIG. 9 to the extended or upright position of FIG. 10. When first and second upper pivoting extension segments 48, 50 are in the extended or upright position of FIG. 10, the user can squeeze first and second upper pivoting extension segments 48, 50 together, the inner upper edges 13, 15 of first and second profiles 12, 14 acting as pivot or fulcrum lines, thereby separating first and second profiles 12, 14 as shown in FIG. 11.
In all variations of the first embodiment, first and second interlocking profiles 12, 14 can be separated from each other by pressing together first and second extensions 22, 24 thereby opening reclosable package 100. Likewise, first and second interlocking profiles 12, 14 can be pressed together to join profiles 12, 14 to each other after opening.
FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a second embodiment of the zipper of the present invention. Zipper 60 includes first and second interlocking profiles 62, 64, made of rigid or semi-rigid plastic, which include respective first and second upper planar portions 66, 68 which abut each other, and first and second arched portions 70, 72 (which face the product side of zipper 60). First and second distal tips 74, 76 of first and second arched portions 70, 72 abut each other. Space 78 is formed between first and second arched portions 70, 72. First upper planar portion 66 includes male interlocking element 80, which is received by female interlocking element 82 in the interlocked position as shown in FIG. 12. When the user squeezes first and second arched portions 70, 72 against each other, first and second arched portions 70, 72 are flattened, space 78 is reduced and first and second lower inner edges 84, 86 (which are proximal ends of first and second arched portions 70, 72) of first and second upper planar portions 66, 68 act as pivot or fulcrum lines thereby causing first and second upper planar portions 66, 68 to pivot with respect to each thereby separating male interlocking element 80 from female interlocking element 82 as shown in FIG. 13. A variation of this embodiment would include a single arched portion.
A third embodiment of the zipper of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. Zipper 88 includes first and second interlocking profiles 90, 92 with respective first and second planar base portions 93, 94 to the exterior of which the web of a reclosable package (not shown) is typically sealed. First interlocking profile 90 includes curved portion 95 of semi-circular cross section with male interlocking elements 96 formed at a central location thereof. Second interlocking profile 92 includes female interlocking elements 98 complementary to male interlocking elements 96. In the closed position, male and female interlocking elements 96, 98 are interlocked with each other as shown in FIG. 14. However, a user can squeeze either edge of first interlocking profile 90 against second interlocking profile 92 thereby causing first and second interlocking profiles 90, 92 to pivot or rotate with respect to each other due to a rolling action of curved portion 95, thereby releasing the interlocking of male and female interlocking elements 96, 98 as shown in FIG. 15.
Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20070289108
