Slider device, zipper closure system, and methods of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11077989-B2
Application number	US-201916449036-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 21, 2019
Priority date	Jun 21, 2019
Publication date	Aug 3, 2021
Grant date	Aug 3, 2021

Abstract

A slider zipper closure system includes a zipper closure with complementary profiles of opposing tracks for interlocking and unlocking; the closure a first end stop and a second end stop positioned opposite ends of the closure. A slider device is positioned on the zipper closure between and engaging the first end stop and second end stop to selectively: (i) unlock the complementary profiles as the slider device is moved along the tracks in an opening direction; and (ii) interlock the complementary profiles as the slider device is moved along the tracks in a closing direction. The slider device has a first end stop engagement surface positioned inboard from the closing end and adapted to strike the first end stop.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A slider device for selectively interlocking and unlocking complementary profiles of opposing tracks of a plastic zipper closure; the slider device comprising:
(a) a top member with an opening end and an opposite closing end;
(b) pair of spaced legs depending from the top member; the spaced legs defining an open volume therebetween to allow for passage of the tracks therethrough and with the legs having terminal ends straddling the tracks;
(c) the top member having an internal surface within the open volume between the legs; the internal surface including at least a first region and a second region;
(i) the first region extending from the closing end partially along the internal surface of the top member; and
(ii) the second region being between the first region and the opening end;
(iii) the first region being located a greater distance from the terminal ends of the spaced legs than the second region;

(d) internal surfaces spaced sufficiently close together to press the profiles into interlocking relationship as the slider is moved in a closing direction along the zipper closure leading with the opening end and trailing with the closing end;
(e) a separator plow extending from the second region of the top member into the open volume between the legs; the separator plow being positioned to wedge between opposing tracks and unlock the profiles as the slider device is moved in an opening direction along the zipper closure leading with the closing end and trailing with the opening end; and
(f) the second region of the top member including an engagement surface positioned to strike an end stop on at least one end of the zipper closure.

2. The slider device of claim 1 wherein the engagement surface is located between the separator plow and the first region.

3. The slider device of claim 1 wherein the legs each having internal facing hooks at their respective terminal ends.

4. The slider device of claim 2 wherein the engagement surface is a portion of the separator plow.

5. The slider device of claim 1 further including a leg engagement surface extending from an internal surface of each of the legs.

6. The slider device of claim 3 wherein the hooks extend from the opening end only a partial length of the slider device toward the closing end.

7. The slider device of claim 6 wherein the hooks extend only along the portions of the legs that are along the second region of the top member.

8. The slider device of claim 1 wherein the second region extends from the opening end.

9. The slider device of claim 2 further including a first pointed projection extending from the engagement surface partially toward the closing end.

10. A slider device for selectively interlocking and unlocking complementary profiles of opposing tracks of a plastic zipper closure; the slider device comprising:
(a) a top member with an opening end and an opposite closing end;
(b) pair of spaced legs depending from the top member; the spaced legs defining an open volume therebetween to allow for passage of the tracks therethrough and with the legs having terminal ends straddling the tracks;
(c) the top member having an internal surface within the open volume between the legs; the internal surface including at least a first region and a second region;
(i) the first region extending from the closing end partially along the internal surface of the top member; and
(ii) the second region being between the first region and the opening end;
(iii) the first region being located at a greater distance from the terminal ends of the spaced legs than the second region;

(d) internal surfaces spaced sufficiently close together to press the profiles into interlocking relationship as the slider is moved in a closing direction along the zipper closure leading with the opening end and trailing with the closing end;
(e) a separator plow extending from the second region of the top member into the open volume between the legs; the separator plow being positioned to wedge between opposing tracks and unlock the profiles as the slider device is moved in an opening direction along the zipper closure leading with the closing end and trailing with the opening end;
(f) the second region of the top member including an engagement surface positioned to strike an end stop on at least one end of the zipper closure; and
(g) a first pointed projection extending from the engagement surface partially toward the closing end.

11. The slider device of claim 10 wherein:
(a) the internal surface of the top member further includes a third region;
(b) the third region extending from the opening end, with the second region being between the third region and the first region;
(c) the third region extending at a greater distance from the terminal ends of the spaced legs than the second region.

12. The slider device of claim 11 wherein the third region and the first region extend a same distance from the terminal ends of the spaced legs.

13. The slider device of claim 11 wherein the third region and the first region extend a different distance from the terminal ends of the spaced legs.

14. The slider device of claim 11 further including a second pointed projection extending from the second region partially toward the opening end.

15. A slider zipper closure system comprising:
(a) a recloseable zipper closure with complementary profiles of opposing tracks for interlocking and unlocking; the closure having a first end and an opposite second end;
(b) a first end stop positioned at the first end of the closure;
(c) a second end stop positioned at the second end of the closure; and
(d) a slider device having a closing end and an opposite opening end; the slider device slidably positioned on the zipper closure between and engaging the first end stop and second end stop to selectively:
(i) unlock the complementary profiles as the slider device is moved along the tracks in an opening direction leading with the closing end and trailing with the opening end; and
(ii) interlock the complementary profiles as the slider device is moved along the tracks in a closing direction leading with the opening end and trailing with the closing end;

(e) the slider device having a first end stop engagement surface positioned inboard from the closing end and adapted to strike the first end stop;
(f) the slider device having,
(i) a top member;
(ii) pair of spaced legs depending from the top member; the spaced legs defining an open volume therebetween with passage of the tracks therethrough and with the legs having terminal ends straddling the tracks;
(iii) the top member having an internal surface within the open volume between the legs; the internal surface including at least a first region and a second region;
(i) the first region extending from the closing end a partially along the internal surface of the top member; and
(ii) the second region being between the first region and the opening end;
(iii) the first region being located at a greater distance from the terminal ends of the spaced legs than the second region;

(iv) internal surfaces spaced sufficiently close together to press the profiles into interlocking relationship as the slider is moved in the closing direction;
(v) a separator plow extending from the second region of the top member into the open volume between the legs; the separator plow adapted to wedge between opposing tracks and unlock the profiles as the slider device is moved in the opening direction along the zipper closure leading with the closing end and trailing with the opening end; and
(vi) the second region of the top me

Assignees

• Reynolds Presto Products Inc

Inventors

• Derue Nicholas
• Thompson Gregg
• Rawluszki Joel A

Classifications

• B65D33/2525 Primary

  located between the fastener and the product compartment · CPC title

• B65D33/25865 Primary

  reaching between the interlocking fastener profiles · CPC title

• A44B19/267 Primary

  for slide fasteners with edges of stringers having uniform section throughout the length thereof (for sacks or bags B65D33/2508) · CPC title

• B65D33/2508 Primary

  using slide fasteners with interlocking members having a substantially uniform section throughout the length of the fastener; Sliders therefor · CPC title

• B65D33/2591 Primary

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic