The present invention relates to the field of sachets provided with complementary profiled closure shapes, actuated by a slider.
It relates more precisely to a slider for actuating profiled closure shapes for a closure assembly equipping a sachet.
Numerous sachets with complementary profiled closure shapes equipped with sliders have already been proposed.
The attached
In this figure, the profiled shapes with which the slider is supposed to cooperate have been illustrated and bear the reference P1 and P2, whereas the sachet with which these profiled shapes are associated is referenced S.
Such a slider 1 is made of moulded plastic material and has a generally known structure.
More precisely, this slider has a cross-section in an inverse “U” shape, and comprises a base 10 to which are connected two lateral and parallel wings 11 and 12 known as “flanks”. The longitudinal axis of the slider corresponds to its direction of movement when it is installed on a sachet with complementary profiled shapes. The flanks 11 and 12 extend parallel to this axis.
As is well known per se, the internal space of the slider encloses means 13 adapted for stressing the complementary profiled closure shapes P1 and P2 of the sachet, by moving towards or moving away according to the direction of displacement of the slider along these profiled shapes. The expression “internal space” means the space delimited by the base 10 and the flanks 11 and 12.
Such a slider must be placed on a sachet S whereof the two sails are provided with complementary profiled closure shapes P1 and P2.
The technique generally utilised to achieve this consists overall in deforming the slider so as to momentarily move its flanks 11 and 12 away from one another (arrow f of
This displacement of the flanks is implemented for example by introducing tools “inside” the slider, applying them against the inner faces of the flanks and moving them away mutually.
In practice, the pivoting movement of the flanks does not translate by flexion of the material of the slider in the attachment zone of the flanks to the base. In fact, this zone is too thick and rigid to constitute a preferred folding zone.
In this case, deformation is completed in predetermined regions of the base.
Document EP-A-0 479 661 discloses a slider with convergent corridors.
Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,666 describes a slider provided with load pins.
The aim of the present invention is to further improve sliders of the prior art so as to produce satisfactory deformation with a level of acceptable mechanical stress, without risk of breaking.
The present invention accordingly relates to a slider for actuating profiled closure shapes, especially for a closure assembly equipping a sachet, comprising a base, two flanks, and means adapted for stressing respectively said profiled closure shapes, by moving towards or moving away according to the direction of displacement of the slider along profiled shapes, for moving the profiled shapes between a closed latch position and an open separated position, comprise a longitudinal groove which subdivides its internal space into two corridors.
This slider is remarkable in that said corridors extend according to median rectilinear and parallel axes which represent preferred fold lines when said flanks are moved away from each other
These corridors represent preferred fold lines of rectilinear and parallel range, which very substantially reduces the risk of breaking, with acceptable levels of mechanical stress.
According to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of this slider:
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment.
This description will be given in reference to the attached diagrams, in which:
The example of slider of the invention overall has a structure known per se, close to that of
As with this known slider, the slider according to the invention has a cross-section in an inverse “U” shape, with a base 10 to which are attached two lateral and parallel wings (or flanks) 11 and 12.
In
The internal space of the slider encloses means adapted for stressing complementary profiled closure shapes of a sachet (marked respectively P1, P2 and S in
In this case, these means comprise a longitudinal groove 13 which extends according to the longitudinal median plane of the slider.
This groove 13, originating from material with the inner face of the base 10, separates the internal space into two corridors C1 and C2.
As shown more particularly in
This base 14 comprises a first “wide” part 140, in the general form of an iron base to be smoothed (that is, overall triangular when viewed from above), which is prolonged by a narrower part 141.
Also, opposite the two parts 140 and 141 of the base 14, the inner faces of the flanks 11 and 12 each bear a projection 112, 122, respectively 113, 123, which is also provided with a guide facet of a protuberance.
The corridors C1 and C2 are therefore delimited by the base 10, the groove 13, and its associated base 14, the inner faces of the flanks 11 and 12 and their associated projections 112, 122, 113, and 123. In other terms, the corridors C1 and C2 have the form of throats with convergent edges.
In the example shown here, along the longitudinal free rim of each flank 11 and 12 extends a stiffening bar 110, respectively 120, of a thickness greater than the remaining part of the flank.
In the example shown here, each bar 110 and 120 has on its free face, opposite the base 10, a keying finger 111, respectively 121.
In an embodiment which is not shown here, the slider could have the general structure described in French application No. 07 59545, in which load pins are provided in the extension of the flanks 11 and 12.
In the figures, it is evident that the opposite ends of the slider conform to arches 15, of a thickness greater than the rest of its body.
In accordance with the invention, the abovementioned corridors C1 and C2 extend according to rectilinear and parallel axes X-X′, which represent preferred fold lines.
In practice, these corridors are bordered laterally by the base of the groove 13 and by the foot of the projections 112, 122, 113, and 123.
In an attempt to deform the slider according to the invention, in order to place profiled shapes such as those P1 and P2 of
Once this operation is done, the force is stopped and the flanks naturally regain their initial position.
This force is applied most closely to the free end of the flanks to produce the biggest possible lever arm.
Of course, the slider “folds” in those zones where there is least material. These “fold zones” correspond to the regions of the base 10 deprived of material outgrowth.
These zones correspond to the corridors C1 and C2 of axis X-X′.
The letter P in
With respect to parallel planes, the mechanical stresses to be implemented to produce these deformations are reasonable and the risks of breaking the slider are reduced.
Of course, the slider of the invention can be provided differently to that described here. It can especially be devoid of stiffening bars.
In a variant embodiment, not shown, the above axes X-X′ could be marked visually, for example in the form of a line traced on the inner face of the base 10, or even in the form of a groove made therein.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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09 50006 | Jan 2009 | FR | national |