Closure mechanism with multiple frequency feedback

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10518937-B2
Application number	US-201816059164-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 9, 2018
Priority date	Jul 27, 2010
Publication date	Dec 31, 2019
Grant date	Dec 31, 2019

Abstract

A closure mechanism includes a first elongate closure member having a series of spaced features disposed along an entire length of the first elongate closure member. A second elongate closure member includes a series of spaced features disposed along an entire length of the second elongate closure member. The second elongate closure member sealingly engages the first elongate closure member. A slider interacts with (i) the series of spaced features on the first elongate closure member to produce a first feedback at a first frequency, and (ii) the series of spaced features on the second elongate closure member to produce a second feedback at a second frequency. The first feedback at the first frequency differs from the second feedback at the second frequency.

First claim

I claim:

1. A closure mechanism comprising:
a first elongate closure member that includes a series of spaced features being disposed along an entire length of the first elongate closure member, the series of spaced features being disposed on at least one of (i) an outer surface of the first elongate closure member and (ii) an inner surface of the first elongate closure member, the series of spaced features being spaced apart along the entire length of the first elongate closure member, with each feature of the series of spaced features being spaced a distance D 1 from an adjacent feature of the series of spaced features, such that the distance D 1 between each feature and the adjacent feature is the same along the entire length of the first elongate closure member;
a second elongate closure member that includes a series of spaced features being disposed along an entire length of the second elongate closure member, the series of spaced features being disposed on at least one of (i) an outer surface of the second elongate closure member and (ii) an inner surface of the second elongate closure member, the series of spaced features being spaced apart along the entire length of the second elongate closure member, with each feature of the series of spaced features being spaced a distance D 2 from an adjacent feature of the series of spaced features, such that the distance D 2 between each feature and the adjacent feature is the same along the entire length of the second elongate closure member, the distance D 1 being greater than the distance D 2 , and the second elongate closure member being configured to sealingly engage the first elongate closure member; and
a slider that slides along the first and second elongate closure members to engage or to separate the first and second elongate closure members, such that portions of the slider engage with (i) the series of spaced features on the first elongate closure member to produce a first feedback at a first frequency, and (ii) the series of spaced features on the second elongate closure member to produce a second feedback at a second frequency, as the slider is slid along the first and second elongate closure members,
wherein the first feedback at the first frequency differs from the second feedback at the second frequency due to the distance D 1 between each of the spaced features of the series on the first elongate closure member being greater than the distance D 2 between each of the spaced features of the series on the second elongate closure member.

2. The closure mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the series of spaced features on the first elongate closure member includes a plurality of vertically extending indentations on the at least one of (i) an outer surface of the first elongate closure member and (ii) an inner surface of the first elongate closure member.

3. The closure mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the series of spaced features on the second elongate closure member includes a plurality of vertically extending indentations on the at least one of (i) an outer surface of the second elongate closure member and (ii) an inner surface of the second elongate closure member.

4. The closure mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first and second feedbacks produce an audible sound.

5. The closure mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the slider comprises a first projection that engages the series of spaced features on the first elongate closure profile and a second projection that engages the series of spaced features on the second elongate closure member.

6. A pouch comprising:
sidewalls that define a mouth;
a first elongate closure member disposed proximate to the mouth, the first elongate closure member including a series of spaced features being disposed along an entire length of the first elongate closure member, the series of spaced features being disposed on at least one of (i) an outer surface of the first elongate closure member and (ii) an inner surface of the first elongate closure member, the series of spaced features being spaced apart along the entire length of the first elongate closure member, with each feature of the series of spaced features being spaced a distance D 1 from an adjacent feature of the series of spaced features, such that the distance D 1 between each feature and the adjacent feature is the same along the entire length of the first elongate closure member;
a second elongate closure member disposed proximate to the mouth, the second elongate closure member including a series of spaced features being disposed along an entire length of the second elongate closure member, the series of spaced features being disposed on at least one of (i) an outer surface of the second elongate closure member and (ii) an inner surface of the second elongate closure member, the series of spaced features being spaced apart along the entire length of the second elongate closure member, with each feature of the series of spaced features being spaced a distance D 2 from an adjacent feature of the series of spaced features, such that the distance D 2 between each feature and the adjacent feature is the same along the entire length of the second elongate closure member, the distance D 1 being greater than the distance D 2 , and the second elongate closure member being configured to sealingly engage the first elongate closure member; and
a slider that slides along the first and second elongate closure members to close or to open the first and second elongate closure members, such that portions of the slider engage with (i) the series of spaced features on the first elongate closure member to produce a first feedback at a first frequency, and (ii) the series of spaced features on the second elongate closure member to produce a second feedback at a second frequency, as the slider is slid along the first and second elongate closure members,
wherein the first feedback at the first frequency differs from the second feedback at the second frequency due to the distance D 1 between each of the spaced features of the series on the first elongate closure member being greater than the distance D 2 between each of the spaced features of the series on the second elongate closure member.

7. The pouch of claim 6 , wherein the series of spaced features on the first elongate closure member includes a plurality of vertically extending indentations on the at least one of (i) an outer surface of the first elongate closure member and (ii) an inner surface of the first elongate closure member.

8. The pouch of claim 6 , wherein the series of spaced features on the second elongate closure member includes a plurality of vertically extending indentations on the at least one of (i) an outer surface of the second elongate closure member and (ii) an inner surface of the second elongate closure member.

9. The pouch of claim 6 , wherein the first and second feedbacks produce an audible sound.

10. The pouch of claim 6 , wherein the slider comprises a first projection that engages the series of spaced features on the first elongate closure profile, and a second projection that engages the series of spaced features on the second elongate closure member.

Assignees

• Johnson & Son Inc S C

Inventors

• Ackerman Bryan L

Classifications

• Y10T24/2532

  having interlocking surface with continuous cross section · CPC title

• B65D2203/12

  Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means (B65D51/248, B65D55/028, B65D79/02 and B65D81/24 take precedence) · CPC title

• Y10T24/2534

  Opposed interlocking surface having dissimilar cross section · CPC title

• A44B19/16 Primary

  Interlocking member having uniform section throughout the length of the stringer {(for sacks or bags B65D33/2508)} · CPC title

• A44B19/24

  Details · CPC title