Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6611996
-
Patent Number
6,611,996
-
Date Filed
Monday, July 2, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 2, 200320 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 024 399
- 024 400
- 024 415
- 024 5851
- 024 58512
- 024 5721
- 383 5
- 383 63
- 383 65
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A slider for a reclosable fastener for plastic bags comprises a body. The body includes a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top. The separation member is adapted to open and close the fastener. The first side has at least one slot for separating the first side into at least two sections. The second side has at least one slot for separating the second side into at least two sections. Each of the slots extends from respective ends of the first and second sides opposite the top and extends through the respective first and second sides.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to sliders for reclosable fasteners, and, more particularly, sliders that assist in opening and closing polymeric bags.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Polymeric bags are popular household items that are used in a variety of applications including storage of food. The addition of reclosable fasteners or zippers to these bags has further enhanced their utility and the addition of a slider has made the fasteners easier to open and close. The fasteners include complementary first and second profiles that engage each other to close the bag.
One problem encountered in installing the slider to the fastener is distortion to the first and second profiles of the fastener. The profiles may be distorted when the slider is placed onto the fastener. More specifically, the profiles may be distorted from internal shoulders of the slider that partially form a cavity of the slider. To assist in preventing distortion to the profiles when inserting the slider onto the fastener, the slider may be constructed to have improved flexibility. These flexible sliders, however, do not generally have a desirable stiffness to remain on the fastener during normal use by a consumer.
To address this problem, some sliders have been developed to be assembled or closed around the first and second profiles of the fastener. These sliders are assembled over the profiles by the use of interlocking structures molded into various portions of the slider. It has also been suggested to incorporate additional part(s) to provide stiffness to the slider. Another solution that has been applied is to fold the slider over the fastener, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,208. Other solutions have been to cut the profile and insert the slider over a cut end, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,760. These solutions, however, include additional steps that result in a more complicated and typically lesser efficient manufacturing process.
A need therefore exists for an improved slider that can be inserted over the profiles of the fastener with little or no distortion, while providing a desirable stiffness to remain on the fastener during normal use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one embodiment, a slider for a reclosable fastener for plastic bags comprises a body. The body includes a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top. The separation member is adapted to open and close the fastener. The first side has at least one slot for separating the first side into at least two sections. The second side has at least one slot for separating the second side into at least two sections. Each of the slots extends from respective ends of the first and second sides opposite the top and extends through the respective first and second sides.
According to another embodiment, a unitary slider for a reclosable fastener for plastic bags comprises a unitary body. The body includes a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top. The separation member is adapted to open and close the fastener. The first side has at least two slots for separating the first side into at least three sections. The second side has at least two slots for separating the second side into at least three sections. Each of the slots extends from respective ends of the first and second sides opposite the top and extends through the respective sides. Each of the slots on the first side corresponds to a respective slot of the second side.
According to yet another embodiment, a slider for a reclosable fastener for plastic bags comprises a body. The body includes a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top. The separation member is adapted to open and close the fastener. The first side has at least two sections that are partially separated by at least one first weakened portion so as to assist in placing the slider onto the fastener. The second side has at least two sections that are partially separated by at least one second weakened portion so as to assist in placing the slider onto the fastener. The first and second weakened portions extend from respective ends of the first and second sides opposite the top and extend through the respective first and second sides.
According to another embodiment, a fastener and slider arrangement for plastic bags comprises a fastener and a slider. The fastener includes first and second tracks that each have first and second ends, and first and second end terminations at respective first and second ends of the first and second tracks. The first and second tracks include respective first and second interlocking profiles. The slider is mounted on the first and second tracks. The slider includes a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top. The separation member is adapted to open and close the fastener. The first side has at least one slot for separating the first side into at least two sections. The second side has at least one slot for separating the second side into at least two sections. Each of the slots extends from respective ends of the first and second sides opposite the top and extends through the respective first and second sides.
According to one method of inserting a slider onto a reclosable fastener extending along a mouth of a plastic bag, the fastener includes a first track with a first profile and a second track with a second profile being releasably engageable to the first profile. The slider is slidably mounted to the fastener and includes a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top. The separation member is adapted to open and close the fastener. The first side has at least one slot for separating the first side into at least two sections. The second side has at least one slot for separating the second side into at least two sections. Each of the slots extends from respective ends of the first and second sides opposite the top and extends through the respective sides. The sides and top have respective inner and outer surfaces. At least a portion of the inner surfaces of the sides forms respective first and second shoulders. The inner surfaces of the first and the second sides and the top define a cavity. A supporting tooling member is placed into at least one slot such that the tooling member is supporting at least one of the first and second profiles. The slider is placed on the fastener by opening one or more of the sections of the slider such that the first and second sides are at a sufficient distance to allow the insertion of the slider onto the first and second profiles. The slider is positioned into the cavity such that the first and second profiles are located above the respective first and second shoulders.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is an enlarged perspective view of a slider constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is an enlarged perspective view of a slider constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3
is a bottom plan view of the slider of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is a bottom plan view of the slider of
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 5
is an end view of the slider of
FIG. 1 and a
fastener in the fastener open configuration;
FIG. 6
is an end view of the slider of
FIG. 1 and a
fastener in the fastener closed configuration;
FIG. 7
is an enlarged perspective view of the fastener and slider of
FIG. 2
in assembled position on a thermoplastic bag;
FIGS. 8
a-c
is a sequence of steps of inserting a fastener into a slider using a fastener supporting member according to one process of the present invention; and
FIG. 9
is a slider being inserted onto a fastener according to one method.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed but, on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring initially to
FIG. 1
, there is illustrated a slider
10
according to one embodiment of the present invention. The slider
10
is a unitary or integral structure and, thus, is a one-piece slider. The slider
10
is an inverted generally U-shaped member. The sliders of the present invention may be combined with a fastener or zipper
12
in forming a thermoplastic bag B (see FIG.
7
).
The slider
10
of
FIG. 1
comprises a top
14
, a pair of sides or side walls
16
and
18
depending downwardly from the top
14
, and a separation member or finger
20
located on an underside of the top
14
. The separation finger
20
is positioned between the sides
16
and
18
. The bottom plan view of the slider
10
is depicted in FIG.
3
.
At the lower end of each side
16
and
18
are inwardly extending shoulders
22
and
24
(FIGS.
5
and
6
), respectively, which cooperate with the separation finger
20
to assist in opening and closing the fastener
12
. The shoulders
22
and
24
also engage the fastener
12
to inhibit or prevent the slider
10
from being lifted off profile edges while the slider
10
straddles the fastener
12
. Specifically, the shoulders
22
and
24
engage with lower surfaces of the profiles to inhibit or prevent (a) the slider from being pulled off in a direction perpendicular to the sliding motion and (b) the slider from being removed from the force required to open the profiles. To generate an outward force moment from the downward insertion force to separate the sidewalls and permit a snap-on action, the shoulders
22
and
24
are tapered upwardly towards a center-line of the slider. Tapered surfaces
22
a
and
24
a
assist in guiding the slider onto the fastener
12
. The tapered surfaces
22
a
and
24
a
may also be referred to as “leads-ins”. The shoulders
22
and
24
, however, may be formed without being tapered.
The separation finger
20
has a wide portion
26
(
FIG. 5
) and a narrow portion
28
(FIG.
6
). The separation finger
20
with the wide and narrow portions
26
and
28
interact with first and second portions
30
and
32
(
FIGS. 5 and 6
) of the fastener
12
to lock and unlock first and second profiles
34
and
36
on the fastener
12
. This interaction opens and closes the fastener
12
in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,143 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
More specifically, the wide portion
26
of the separation finger
20
in cooperation with the shoulders
22
and
24
spread the first and second portions
30
and
32
. The spread first and second portions
30
and
32
separate the first and second profiles
34
and
36
thereby opening the fastener
12
(
FIG. 5
) as the slider
10
is moved.
To close the fastener
12
, the slider
10
is moved in the reverse direction and the narrow portion
28
of the separation finger
20
cooperates with the shoulders
22
and
24
and the sides
16
and
18
of the slider
10
to bring the first and second portions
30
and
32
together. The first and second portions
30
and
32
when brought together lock the first and second profiles
34
and
36
(FIG.
6
). To close the fastener
12
completely, at least the wide portion
26
of the separation finger
20
is removed from between the first and second portions
30
and
32
of the fastener
12
.
Referring back to
FIG. 1
, the slider
10
also includes an optional molded window
38
that is formed in the top
14
to assist in forming the shoulders
22
and
24
. The optional molded window
38
also assists in holding and/or locating the slider
10
for insertion onto the profiles of the fastener
12
.
According to one embodiment, the slider
10
also includes a slot or opening
40
formed in the side
16
(see
FIG. 1
) and a corresponding slot
41
(see
FIG. 3
) formed in the side
18
. The corresponding slots
40
and
41
assist in (a) placing the slider onto the fastener and (b) optimizing the sections of the slider, including the utilization of the polymeric resins.
The slot
40
of
FIG. 1
extends from a bottom edge
42
of the side
16
in a generally vertical direction toward the top
14
. The slot
40
is shown in
FIG. 1
as extending into and through the side
16
. It is contemplated that the slot
40
may be formed in other shapes than that depicted in FIG.
1
. If the slider is formed by injection molding, the slot
40
is preferably at least slightly tapered so as to assist in releasing it from the injection mold. Slot
41
is preferably formed in the same manner as described with respect to the slot
40
.
Referring to
FIG. 2
, a slider
60
is shown that is identical to the slider
10
of
FIG. 1
, except that the slider
60
includes two slots that are formed in each side
62
and
64
. Side
62
of the slider
60
includes slots
66
,
68
formed therein, while the side
64
also has two slots
67
and
69
(shown in
FIG. 4
) that correspond with respective slots
66
and
68
. It is contemplated that additional slots may be formed in the slider
60
. The slots of the slider
60
have the same purpose as described above with respect to the slots
40
and
41
of slider
10
. In addition, the slots of the slider
60
as will be discussed below may assist in easier insertion of the slider onto the profiles.
The slider
60
of
FIG. 2
may be divided into three main functionally independent sections
70
,
72
and
74
. The main function of section
70
is to assist in opening the fastener, while the main function of the section
74
is to assist in closing the fastener. The main function of the section
72
is to retain the slider
60
on the fastener after installation. The section
72
of slider
60
may have profiled outer surfaces to assist a consumer in grasping and moving the slider. For example, the section
72
of sides
62
and
64
may have outer surfaces that generally correspond to a customer's fingers/thumbs (i.e., concave inwardly) for easier grasping and moving of the slider
60
.
The sides
62
and
64
may have varying cross-sectional thicknesses in its respective sections so as to optimize the main function of each section. The sections
70
,
72
and
74
also may be profiled to optimally use a desired amount of polymeric resin so as to minimize material usage. For example, the thicknesses of the sides
62
and
64
of section
72
may be optimized for flexibility so as to allow the sides
62
and
64
to bend outwardly when the slider
60
is inserted onto the first and second profiles
34
and
36
of the fastener. (See
FIG. 8
b
) The thicknesses of the sides
62
and
64
of sections
70
and
74
are contemplated to be less flexible than section
72
.
The locations of sections
70
,
72
and
74
may be configured differently than shown in FIG.
2
. For example, sections
70
,
72
and
74
may be configured such that the section
74
is located between the sections
70
and
72
. It is also contemplated that more than one of the same section may be formed in the slider. For example, the slider of
FIG. 2
may have a second section
72
located adjacent to section
74
and opposite of the first section
72
.
The thicknesses of the sides
62
and
64
of the section
72
are generally from about 15 to about 100 mils. The thicknesses of the sides
62
and
64
of the section
70
are generally from about 15 to about 100 mils. The thicknesses of the sides
62
and
64
of the section
74
are generally from about 15 to about 200 mils.
According to another embodiment, the slider may have corresponding very thin, weakened side sections (less than 10 mils) instead of corresponding slots
40
and
41
. The weakened side sections may be perforations. These weakened side sections (not shown) of the slider are configured to break or stretch when the slider is inserted onto the profiles of the fastener. These weakened side sections may be similar in shape and location of the slots
40
and
41
shown in FIG.
1
. Similarly, the slider may have multiple weakened sections on each side thereof These multiple weakened side sections may be similar in shape and location of the slots shown in FIG.
2
.
The sliders
10
and
60
may be formed from suitable polymeric materials such as, for example, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, Delrin or ABS. The sliders of the present invention may be formed by injection molding.
The sliders
10
and
60
may be made of different materials to enhance the functionality of each section thereof For example, section
72
may be made of a more flexible material than the remaining sections of the slider. One example of a slider has the section
72
made of a polyethylene elastomer, while the remaining sections
70
and
74
are made of a rigid polypropylene.
Referring to
FIG. 7
, the fastener
12
comprises a first track
82
and a second track
84
. The first and second tracks
82
and
84
include respective first and second profiles
34
and
36
. The first and second profiles
34
and
36
are interlocking and extend the length thereof in the form of rib and groove elements on the respective tracks. The tracks
82
and
84
may be extruded separately with a fin and attached to the respective sides of the bag mouth or the tracks
82
and
84
may be extruded integral with the sides of the bag mouth. If the tracks
82
and
84
are extruded separately, they are most effectively attached by means of a respective first and second fins, incorporated within the tracks, that is heat sealed to a bag mouth.
The fastener
12
typically comprises one or more polymeric resins. The fastener may be comprised of polyolefins including, but not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene or combinations thereof.
The slider
60
and the fastener
12
are particularly suited for thermoplastic bags and the like. In one embodiment, the bag B is formed from a single flexible polymeric sheet folded upon itself and comprises first and second opposing body panels
86
and
88
. Body panels
86
and
88
are fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides
90
and
92
and a bottom (not shown) which extends between the pair of sides
90
and
92
. In this embodiment, bag B has the fastener
12
extending along a mouth formed opposite the bottom (not shown) of bag B.
The body panels
86
and
88
typically comprise one or more polymeric resins. The body panels
86
and
88
may be comprised of polyolefins including, but not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene or combinations thereof.
The opposite ends of the fastener
12
are typically provided with opposing end termination clips, such as end termination clip
94
of FIG.
7
. End termination clips may have various purposes such as (a) preventing or inhibiting the slider for going past the ends of the fastener, (b) interacting with the slider to give a tactile indication of being closed, (c) assisting in inhibiting or preventing leakage from the bag and (d) holding the fastener together and providing additional strength in resisting stresses to the bag.
Each end clip
94
of
FIG. 7
comprises a strap member that wraps over the top of the fastener
12
. One end of the strap is provided with a rivet like member
94
a
that is adapted to penetrate through the bag material and into a cooperating opening
94
b
at the other end of the end clip
94
. The rivet
94
a
is then deformed so as to create a head locked into the opening
94
b.
It is contemplated that other end terminations may be used instead of the above-described end terminations clip
94
. For example, an end weld may be formed by heated bars pressed against the end of the fastener, ultrasonic welding or other ways known in the art.
The slider
60
and the fastener
12
may be arranged by the sequence of steps shown in
FIGS. 8
a
-
8
c
.
FIG. 8
a
depicts an end view of
FIG. 2
taken from the end nearest the separator finger
20
. The slider
60
of
FIG. 8
a
includes a cavity
100
that is defined between the inner surfaces of the sides
62
and
64
and the top
14
.
FIG. 8
a
also depicts an end view of the fastener
12
with the first track
82
and the second track
84
. The first track
82
includes the first profile
34
and a first fin
102
extending downwardly therefrom. The second track
84
includes the second profile
36
and a second fin
104
extending downwardly therefrom. The first and second profiles
34
and
36
are releasably engageable to each other. It is not necessary for the first and second tracks
82
and
84
to have fins depending therefrom.
The first and second profiles
34
and
36
of
FIG. 8
a
are supported by a supporting tooling member
106
. The supporting tooling member
106
of
FIG. 8
a
assists in supporting the profiles
34
and
36
against the downward insertion force placed by the slider
60
. The use of the supporting tooling member
106
allows the slider to be designed with greater sidewall strengths as compared to a slider that do not use support tooling. Such greater sidewall strengths assist in inhibiting or preventing side wall flexure and subsequent removal of the slider by the upward forces generated on the slider during the normal opening and closing of the fastener. The supporting tooling member
106
should be constructed so as to provide clearance as the slider
60
is being positioned onto the profiles
34
and
36
. It is contemplated that a plurality of supporting tooling members may be used.
Referring to
FIG. 8
b
, the sides
62
and
64
bend outwardly when the slider
60
is inserted onto the interlocking profiles of the fastener. More specifically, the section
72
of the sides
62
and
64
is bent outwardly in opposite directions away from each other to assist in positioning the slider
60
onto the engaged profiles
34
and
36
of the fastener
12
. The section
72
of the sides
62
and
64
is bent sufficiently outwardly to allow insertion over the profiles
34
and
36
. The section
72
should be rigid enough to inhibit or prevent inadvertent removal of the slider from the profiles
34
and
36
, while not being so rigid as to prevent the slider
60
being placed onto the fastener
12
. The thickness of the sides
62
and
64
of the section
72
may be optimized for flexibility in bending outwardly so as to receive the profiles of the fastener.
As shown in
FIG. 8
c,
the profiles
34
and
36
of the slider
60
are installed into the cavity
100
of the slider
60
. The slider
60
is shown in
FIGS. 8
a-c
as being inserted generally perpendicularly to the fastener
12
. The profiles
34
and
36
of the slider
60
are positioned over the respective shoulders
22
and
24
. The tapered surfaces
22
a
and
24
a
are tapered upwardly and inwardly toward a centerline of the slider to assist in guiding the slider
60
onto the fastener. The shoulders
22
and
24
may also include upper tapered surfaces
22
b
and
24
b
to assist in inhibiting or preventing the slider from inadvertent removal from the fastener. The upper tapered surfaces
22
b
and
24
b
are tapered downwardly away from a centerline of the slider. The tapered surfaces
22
b
and
24
b
are generally tapered from about 2 to about 45 degrees and, more typically, from about from about 5 to about 15 degrees. The tapered surfaces
22
b
and
24
b
may also be referred to as undercuts.
The supporting tooling member
106
is also positioned such that it extends into the sides
62
and
64
via the slots of the slider. The supporting tooling member
106
is optimally sized and shaped to generally correspond with the slots of the sliders.
It is contemplated that other steps may be performed in placing the slider and fastener then are shown in
FIGS. 8
a
-
8
c
. For example, the slider may be placed onto the fastener by the methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,143. Alternatively, the slider may be placed onto the fastener by opening up ears on the fastener slightly so as to allow the separator finger to be inserted therebetween. The slider may also be placed onto the fastener via a rotary or arc method.
Another method for inserting the slider is shown in
FIG. 9
where the slider
60
is inserted at an angle A to the fastener
12
. The angle A where the slider
60
is inserted onto the fastener
12
may vary from about 1 to about 90 degrees. The angle A is typically from about 15 to about 30 degrees. The slider may be inserted at the angle A via a linear or arc trajectory.
While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
Claims
- 1. A slider for a reclosable fastener for plastic bags, comprising:a body, the body including a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top, the separation member adapted to open and close the fastener, the first side having at least one slot for separating the first side into at least two sections, the second side having at least one slot for separating the second side into at least two sections, each of the slots extending from respective ends of the first and second sides opposite the top and extending through the respective first and second sides.
- 2. The slider of claim 1, wherein the slider is unitary.
- 3. The slider of claim 1, wherein each of the slots extends in a generally vertical direction toward the top of the slider.
- 4. The slider of claim 3, wherein each slot of the first side corresponds with a respective slot of the second side.
- 5. The slider of claim 1, wherein the slider is formed by injection molding.
- 6. The slider of claim 1, wherein the first and second sides each have respective inner and outer surfaces, at least a portion of each of the inner surfaces forming respective shoulders, each of the shoulders having upper surfaces sloping upwardly toward a central region of the slider.
- 7. The slider of claim 1, wherein the first and second sides each have respective inner and outer surfaces, at least a portion of each of the inner surfaces forming respective shoulders, each of the shoulders having respective upper surfaces that generally correspond to bottom surfaces of a fastener profile.
- 8. The slider of claim 1, wherein the first and second sides each have respective inner and outer surfaces, each of the inner surfaces forming respective shoulders, each of the shoulders having respective lower surfaces that are adapted to assist in producing an outward bending of the sides.
- 9. The slider of claim 1, wherein the first side has at least two slots for separating the first side into at least three sections, and the second side has at least two slots for separating the second side into at least three sections.
- 10. The slider of claim 9, wherein the first side has a section that is more flexible than at least one of the remaining sections of the first side, and the second side has a section that is more flexible than at least one of the remaining sections of the second side.
- 11. A unitary slider for a reclosable fastener for plastic bags, comprising:a unitary body, the body including a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top, the separation member adapted to open and close the fastener, the first side having at least two slots for separating the first side into at least three sections, the second side having at least two slots for separating the second side into at least three sections, each of the slots extending from respective ends of the first and second sides opposite the top and extending through the respective sides, each of the slots on the first side corresponding to a respective slot of the second side.
- 12. The slider of claim 11, wherein each of the slots extend in a generally vertical direction toward the top of the slider.
- 13. The slider of claim 11, wherein the slider is formed by injection molding.
- 14. The slider of claim 11, wherein the first and second sides each have respective inner and outer surfaces, the inner surfaces forming respective shoulders, each of the shoulders having respective lower surfaces that are adapted to assist in producing an outward bending of the sides.
- 15. The slider of claim 11, wherein the first side has a section that is more flexible than at least one of the remaining sections of the first side, and the second side has a section that is more flexible than at least one of the remaining sections of the second side.
- 16. A slider for a reclosable fastener for plastic bags, comprising:a body, the body including a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top, the separation member adapted to open and close the fastener, the first side having at least two sections that are partially separated by at least one first weakened portion so as to assist in placing the slider onto the fastener, the second side having at least two sections that are partially separated by at least one second weakened portion so as to assist in placing the slider onto the fastener, the first and second weakened portions extending from respective ends of the first and second sides opposite the top and extending through the respective first and second sides.
- 17. The slider of claim 16, wherein the first and second weakened portions are perforations.
- 18. The slider of claim 16, wherein the body includes a first side having at least three sections that are partially separated from each other by first weakened portions and a second side having at least three sections that are partially separated from each other by second weakened portions.
- 19. The slider of claim 16, wherein the first and second weakened portions extend in a generally vertical direction toward the top of the slider.
- 20. A fastener and slider arrangement for plastic bags, comprising:a fastener including first and second tracks that each have first and second ends, and first and second end terminations at respective first and second ends of the first and second tracks, the first and second tracks including respective first and second interlocking profiles, and a slider mounted on the first and second tracks, the slider including a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top, the separation member adapted to open and close the fastener, the first side having at least one slot for separating the first side into at least two sections, the second side having at least one slot for separating the second side into at least two sections, each of the slots extending from respective ends of the first and second sides opposite the top and extending through the respective first and second side.
- 21. The fastener and slider arrangement of claim 20, wherein the slider is unitary.
- 22. The fastener and slider arrangement of claim 20, wherein each of the slots extends in a generally vertical direction toward the top of the slider.
- 23. The fastener and slider arrangement of claim 20, wherein the slider is formed by injection molding.
- 24. The fastener and slider arrangement of claim 20, wherein the first side has at least two slots for separating the first side into at least three sections, and the second side has at least two slots for separating the second side into at least three sections.
- 25. The fastener and slider arrangement of claim 24, wherein the first side has a section that is more flexible than at least one of the remaining sections of the first side, and the second side has a section that is more flexible than at least one of the remaining sections of the second side.
- 26. A fastener and slider arrangement for plastic bags, comprising:a fastener including first and second tracks that each have first and second ends, and first and second end terminations at respective first and second ends of the first and second tracks, the first and second tracks including respective first and second interlocking profiles; and a slider mounted on the first and second tracks, the slider including a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top, the separation member adapted to open and close the fastener, the first side having at least two sections that are partially separated by at least one first weakened portion so as to assist in placing the slider onto the fastener, the second side having at least two sections that are partially separated by at least one second weakened portion so as to assist in placing the slider onto the fastener, the first and second weakened portions extending from respective ends of the first and second sides opposite the top and extending through the respective first and second sides.
- 27. The fastener and slider arrangement of claim 26, wherein the first and second weakened portions are perforations.
- 28. The fastener and slider arrangement of claim 26, wherein the body includes a first side having at least three sections that are partially separated from each other by first weakened portions and a second side having at least three sections that are partially separated from each other by second weakened portions.
- 29. The fastener and slider arrangement of claim 26, wherein the first and second weakened portions extend in a generally vertical direction toward the top of the slider.
US Referenced Citations (272)
Foreign Referenced Citations (14)
| Number |
Date |
Country |
| 0 016 601 |
Oct 1980 |
EP |
| 0 239 319 |
Mar 1987 |
EP |
| 0 371 402 |
Jun 1990 |
EP |
| 0 371 402 |
Jun 1990 |
EP |
| 0 371 402 |
Jun 1990 |
EP |
| 522663 |
Jun 1940 |
GB |
| 2 085 519 |
Oct 1980 |
GB |
| 2 138 494 |
Mar 1983 |
GB |
| WO 9113759 |
Sep 1991 |
WO |
| WO 9529604 |
Nov 1995 |
WO |
| WO 9535046 |
Dec 1995 |
WO |
| WO9535047 |
Dec 1995 |
WO |
| WO 9535048 |
Dec 1995 |
WO |
| 9924325 |
May 1999 |
WO |
