LINEAR FASTENER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improved fastener closures for use with reclosable bags. Particularly, the present invention relates to fasteners with linear male and female closure elements.

2. Description of the Related Art

Most commonly, reclosable plastic bags have one or more pairs of opposing, interlocking fasteners or closures near the top opening of the reclosable bag. The closure may generally be opened and closed many times and are typically designed to ensure that the contents of the reclosable plastic bag are securely contained within the bag when the opposing fasteners are mutually engaged.

The fasteners of reclosable bags can be opened and closed in a number of different ways. For example, a slider or zipper device can be incorporated into the bag design to facilitate the engagement and disengagement of the opposing closures. However, many reclosable bags have closures that are designed to be opened by physically pulling the closures apart and closed by pressing the interlocking closure elements together with one's finger. This type of reclosable bag closure is often referred to as a press-to-close reclosable bag.

Often, press-to-close bags utilize a pair or more of cooperating interlocking closures or fasteners with each fastener comprising cooperating male and female closure elements. These multiple closures are placed relatively close to each other so that pressure from a single finger can simultaneously close both closures. U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 2011/0311167 to George M. Hall, with a filing date of Jun. 21, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference into this disclosure, discloses one such arrangement of multiple closures for a reclosable bag.

These multiple closures provide certain advantages, such as improved burst resistance for preventing the bag from bursting open under pressure. Such a design also permits the outer or upper closure to have indentations in one of its closure elements to provide a clicking sensation when the cooperating elements engage and thus provide feedback to the user that the closure is aligned and being properly closed.

For a bag with multiple interlocking closures, such as the closure system disclosed by Hall, it would be desirable to provide a tactile guide path to indicate the appropriate path to follow when closing the bag. Such closure assemblies are known in the art. For instance, U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 2010/0303390 to Ackerman describes various forms of linearly arranged partial indentations placed in between upper and lower fastener assemblies for providing a tactile guide path. The publication discloses that these partial indentations provide a tactile guide path for a user to follow when closing the bag. However, the partial indentations may be too subtle for providing an adequate tactile guide path.

In consideration of the shortcomings of the above discussed prior art, it would be desirable to provide a fastener assembly for reclosable bag that provides increased tactile guidance to a user when closing the bag. It would further be desirable to provide a fastener system that provides additional guidance on the direction to follow when a user is closing the bag. The present invention represents a novel solution to address these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a fastener can comprise a first flange and an opposing second flange. First male and female closure elements can extend distally from a first surface of the first flange and a first closure gap can be between the first male and female closure elements. Additionally, second male and female closure elements can extend distally from a first surface of the second flange. The first male closure element can interlock with the second female closure element and the first female closure element can interlock with the second male closure element. Further, a plurality of perforations can be arranged within the first closure gap to provide tactile guidance for closing the fastener. The perforations can extend through the first flange from the flange's first surface to its second surface.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the first flange can extend from a first end to an opposing second end and the first male and female closure elements can extend between the first and second ends of the first flange. The plurality of perforations can extend between the first and second ends of the first flange and the plurality of perforations can be arranged along a single line. In addition, a first perforation of the plurality of perforations can be proximate to the first end of the first flange and a last perforation of the plurality of perforations can be proximate to the second end of the first flange. Further, one or more central perforations of the plurality of perforations can be located between the first and last perforations. The one or more central perforations can be larger than the first and last perforations or the first and last perforations can be larger than the one or more central perforations. Also, a plurality of first side perforations of the plurality of perforations can be distributed between the first perforation and the one or more central perforations and a plurality of second side perforations of the plurality of perforations can be distributed between the last perforation and the one or more central perforations. A plurality of first side perforation gaps can comprise gaps between adjacent perforations of the plurality of first side perforations and a plurality of second side perforation gaps can comprise gaps between adjacent perforations of the plurality of second side perforations.

In further embodiments of the present invention, each of the plurality of first side perforation gaps can increase as the gaps move further away from the first side perforation and towards the one or more central perforations. Each of the plurality of second side perforation gaps can increase as the gaps move further away from the last side perforation and towards the one or more central perforations. In the alternative, each of the plurality of first side perforation gaps can decrease as the gaps move further away from the first side perforation and towards the one or more central perforations and each of the plurality of second side perforation gaps can decrease as the gaps move further away from the last side perforation and towards the one or more central perforations. Further, each of the plurality of first side perforations can increase in size as the perforations move away from the first side perforation and towards the one or more central perforations and each of the plurality of second side perforations can increase in size as the perforations move away from the last side perforation and towards the one or more central perforations. In the alternative, each of the plurality of first side perforations can decrease in size as the perforations move away from the first side perforation and towards the one or more central perforations and each of the plurality of second side perforations can decrease in size as the perforations move away from the last side perforation and towards the one or more central perforations.

Additionally, in certain embodiments of the present invention, a second surface of the first flange can curve inwards for one or more of the plurality of perforations and the curved surface can be centered about a center of the one or more perforations. Furthermore, a first surface of the first flange can have an annular shaped wall surrounding one or more perforations of the plurality of perforations. And, the annular shaped wall can be jagged and irregular at its upper distal end.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a fastener can comprise a first flange and an opposing second flange. First male and female closure elements can extend distally from a first surface of the first flange and a first closure gap can be between the first male and female closure elements. Second male and female closure elements can extend distally from a first surface of the second flange. The first male closure element can interlock with the second female closure element and the first female closure element can interlock with the second male closure element. A plurality of perforations can be arranged within the first closure gap and the plurality of perforations can vary in size.

For certain embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of perforation gaps can comprise gaps between adjacent perforations of the plurality of perforations and the plurality of perforation gaps can vary in size. Further, one or more central perforations of the plurality of perforations can be located between opposing first and second ends of the first flange. A plurality of first side perforations of the plurality of perforations can be distributed between the first end of the first flange and the one or more central perforations. The plurality of first side perforations can vary in size from the one or more central perforations. Additionally, a first perforation of the plurality of perforations can be proximate to a first end of the first flange and a last perforation of the plurality of perforations can be proximate to a second end of the first flange. Lastly, the plurality of first side perforations can increase in size as the perforations move away from the first side perforation and towards the one or more central perforations.

In an additional embodiment of the present invention, a fastener can comprise a first flange and an opposing second flange. First male and female closure elements can extend distally from a first surface of the first flange and a first closure gap can be between the first male and female closure elements. Second male and female closure elements can extend distally from a first surface of the second flange. The first male closure element can interlock with the second female closure element and the first female closure element can interlock with the second male closure element. Further, a plurality of perforations can be arranged within the first closure gap and a plurality of perforation gaps can be between adjacent perforations of the plurality of perforations wherein the plurality of perforation gaps can vary in size.

For various embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of perforations can also vary in size. Also, a first perforation of the plurality of perforations can be proximate to the first end of the first flange and a last perforation of the plurality of perforations can be proximate to the second end of the first flange. One or more central perforations of the plurality of perforations can be between the first and last perforations and a plurality of first side perforations of the plurality of perforations can be distributed between the first perforation and the one or more central perforations. In addition, the plurality of first side perforations can increase in size as the perforations move away from the first side perforation and towards the one or more central perforations.

It is contemplated that the present invention may be utilized in ways that are not fully described or set forth herein. The present invention is intended to encompass these additional uses to the extent such uses are not contradicted by the appended claims. Therefore, the present invention should be given the broadest reasonable interpretation in view of the present disclosure, the accompanying figures, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS

A full and complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the detailed description of the present invention and the preferred embodiments when viewed with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings can be briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 provides a plan view of a fastener assembly 100 as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a cross-section of the FIG. 1 fastener assembly taken at a center of an individual perforation of the plurality of perforations shown of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B provide plan views of a first flange of second and third embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 3C and 3D provide plan views of a first flange of fourth and fifth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A provides a perspective view of fastener assembly 100 applied to reclosable bag 200.

FIG. 4B provides a front view of the fastener assembly 100 applied to reclosable bag 200.

FIG. 5A provides a partial plan view of a flange showing details of a perforation of the present invention.

FIG. 5B provides a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A along cutting plane E-E.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure illustrates one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention. It is not intended to provide an illustration or encompass all embodiments contemplated by the present invention. In view of the disclosure of the present invention contained herein, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that innumerable modifications and insubstantial changes may be incorporated or otherwise included within the present invention without diverging from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to those embodiments disclosed herein. The appended claims are intended to more fully and accurately encompass the invention to the fullest extent possible, but it is fully appreciated that certain limitations on the use of particular terms is not intended to conclusively limit the scope of protection.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict the layout and structure, respectively, of fastener assembly 100. Fastener assembly 100, in at least certain embodiments, can be adapted for closing and opening a reclosable bag, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B and described below.

Fastener assembly 100 includes opposing first and second flanges 102 and 104. First flange 102 includes opposing first and second surfaces 106 and 108. Second flange 104 includes opposing first and second surfaces 114 and 116. As illustrated by FIG. 1, first flange 102 further comprises opposing first and second ends 110 and 112 and second flange 104 comprises opposing first and second ends 118 and 120. As further illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, first flange 102 includes top and bottom sides 122 and 124 and second flange 104 includes top and bottom sides 126 and 128.

FIG. 2 further illustrates upper female and lower male closure elements 123 and 127 extending distally from first flange 102. Likewise, FIG. 2 shows upper male and lower female closure elements 125 and 129 extending distally from second flange 104. Upper female closure element 123 interlocks with upper male closure element 125 and lower female closure element 127 interlocks with lower male closure element 129.

As shown by FIG. 2, upper female closure element 123 further comprises a base with upper and lower sides 132 and 140. Upper male closure element 125 comprises a base with upper and lower sides 130 and 139. Lower male closure element 127 comprises a base with upper and lower sides 144 and 136. Lower female closure element 129 comprises a base with upper and lower sides 142 and 138. Regarding the illustration of closure elements 123, 125, 127, and 129, various features of these elements are not shown by FIG. 1 for ease of illustration.

In between the lower side 140 of the base of upper female closure element 123 and upper side 144 of the base of lower male closure element 127, a first gap A is shown by FIG. 2. In addition, a second gap B is shown between the lower side 139 of the base of upper male closure element 125 and the upper side 142 of the base of lower female closure element 129. In at least certain embodiments, gaps A and B can be constant for the entire length of the closure elements 123, 125, 127 and 129. In at least certain embodiments, the constant distance for gaps A and B can vary depending upon the embodiment. Still, in certain embodiments, the distance can be somewhere between 0.25 inches and 0.5 inches.

Returning to FIG. 1, a first plurality of apertures 150 is shown in first flange 102. In at least certain embodiments, a second plurality of apertures 151 can extend through second flange 104. FIG. 2 illustrates a first aperture 150s of the first plurality of apertures 150 extending through first flange 102 from first surface 106 to second surface 108. FIG. 2 further illustrates a first aperture 151s of the second plurality of apertures 151 of second flange 104 extending from first surface 114 through second surface 116.

In at least certain embodiments, each aperture of each plurality of apertures 150 and 151 can have a generally circular shape and approximately the same diameter. Additionally, in at least certain embodiments, each plurality of apertures can be equally spaced from each other as shown in FIG. 1 and arranged along a single line. In further embodiments, apertures 150 and 151 may not be equally or regularly spaced from each other. Further, in certain embodiments, apertures 150 and 151 may not be circular and the size of the apertures may vary from one another.

The linear arrangement of apertures or perforations 150 and 151, as shown by FIGS. 1 and 2, can also extend continuously from the first ends 110/118 to second ends 112/120 of flanges 102/104. Furthermore, because of the size and arrangement of apertures 150 and 151, such apertures as described and shown in this disclosure are commonly referred to as perforations or micro perforations. The plurality of apertures 150 and 151 can provide a tactile guide path for closing the pair of interlocking closures with the first interlocking closure comprising upper female and male closure elements 123 and 125 and the second closure comprising lower female and male closure elements 129 and 127. Due to the nature of the perforations, as more fully described below, the tactile guide path provided by the invention can be much more pronounced than guide paths described in the prior art.

The size of the plurality of aperture or perforations 150 and 151 can vary. For instance, in at least one embodiment, the perforations 150 and 151 can be circular and have a diameter of about 100 microns. This size prevents liquid water from passing through the perforations while being large enough to be perceived tactically while closing the fastener assembly 100. In various other embodiments, the size of each perforation can be up to 2000 microns. In the figures, perforations 150 and 151 are not shown to scale but rather enlarged for illustration purposes.

Now examining FIGS. 3A and 3B, the plurality of perforations 150 can further comprise a first perforation 150a proximate to the first end 110 of the first flange 102 and a last perforation 150b proximate to the second end 112 of first flange 102. Located centrally between first and last perforations 150a and 150b, one or more central perforations 150c are shown. Additionally, located between the first perforation 150a and the one or more central perforations 150c, a plurality of first side perforations 150d are shown by FIGS. 3A and 3B. Likewise, FIGS. 3A and 3B show a plurality of second side perforations 150e located between the one or more central perforations 150c and the last perforation 150b. Although only described for first flange 102, these same features and the additional features described below can apply as well to second flange 104.

In contrast to the FIG. 1, wherein each perforation 150 has the same size, the size of perforations 150 of FIGS. 3A and 3B vary. For FIG. 3A, first and last perforations 150a and 150b are the smallest and the one or more central perforations 150c are the largest. In the FIG. 3A embodiment, the size of the apertures or perforations can increase incrementally as the perforations move away from the outwardly located first and last apertures 150a and 150b and towards the one or more central perforations 150c.

In contrast to FIG. 3A, the relationship in the size and location of the perforations 150 of FIG. 3B are reversed. The one or more central perforations 150c are the smallest while the opposing first and last perforations 150a and 150b are the largest. As the perforations move away from the one or more central perforations 150c and towards the outer first and last perforations 150a and 150b, each perforation increases in size incrementally until the outer perforations 150a and 150b are reached.

These various patterns in the size of perforations 150 can provide further tactile guidance to a person closing fastener assembly 100. The described patterns can indicate to a user the preferred method of closing fastener assembly 100—that is by applying pressure beginning at one end of the closure 100 (such as first flange ends 110/118), moving towards the central area, and then towards the opposing end of the closure assembly 100 (such as second flange ends 112/120).

Now examining FIGS. 3C and 3D, unlike FIGS. 3A and 3B, the diameters of the plurality of apertures 150 in FIGS. 3C and 3D remain constant; however, the distance separating adjacent apertures varies. For instance, FIGS. 3C and 3B illustrate a plurality of first side perforation gaps 152a between adjacent perforations of the plurality of the first side perforations 150d and a plurality of second side perforations 152b between adjacent perforations of the plurality of the second side perforations 150e.

As further illustrated by FIGS. 3C and 3D, the gaps between adjacent perforations 150 can vary depending upon their location along flange 102. As shown in FIGS. 3C, the gaps decrease as the gaps move away from the first and second ends 110 and 112 and inwards toward the center of flange 102. In particular, the first side perforation gaps 152a decrease as the gaps move away from the first perforation 150a until the one or more central perforations 150c are reached. Likewise, the second side perforation gaps 152b decrease as the gaps move away from the last perforation 150b until the one or more central perforations 150c are reached.

The relationship between the location of gaps 152 and the size of individual gaps can also be reversed as illustrated by FIG. 3D. The figure shows the first side perforation gaps 152a increasing as the gaps move away from the first perforation 150a until the one or more central perforations 150c are reached. Likewise, the figure shows the second side perforation gaps 152b increasing as the gaps move away from the last perforation 150b until the one or more central perforations 150c are reached. Although the size of each of the plurality of perforations 150 in FIGS. 3C and 3D are constant, the size of the perforations can also vary based upon their location on first flange 102. In at certain embodiments, these above-described patterns in gap size can also be applied to second flange 104.

The change in gap sizes as described by FIGS. 3C and 3D can aid in providing tactile guidance in closing fastener assembly 100. In a similar manner as the change in perforation size disclosed by FIGS. 3A and 3B, the various patterns in gap size can indicate to a user the preferred method of closing the fastener assembly 100.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a reclosable storage bag 200 utilizing reclosable fastener assembly 100. Bag 200 is shown having a first panel 202 and a second panel 204. The two panels 202 and 204 are joined together at a first side 206, at a second side 208, and at a bottom edge 210. The first panel 202 and second panel 204 may be formed from a single piece of polymeric film which is folded to form the bottom edge 210. Heat seals can also be used to affix panels 202 and 204 at sides 206 and 208. The figures further show a first top edge 212 and second top edge 214 at an upper distal end of the first panel 202 and the second panel 204, respectively. A bag opening is defined between first and second top edges 212 and 214.

Still examining FIGS. 4A and 4B, a first flange 102 of closure assembly 100 is shown disposed on an interior surface of the first panel 202 and the second flange 104 of fastener assembly 100 is shown disposed on an interior surface of the second panel 204. As shown in these figures, the two cooperating flanges 102 and 104 of closure 100 are separated from each other. Further shown by the figures, the first and second flanges 102 and 104 are shown extending from the first side 206 to the second side 208 of bag 200. As addressed above, the first and second flanges 102 and 104 are configured to engage with each other, thereby enabling the closing and reopening of bag 200 below flanges 102 and 104. Further detail of closure assembly 100 is not shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B for ease of illustration.

In certain embodiments, flanges 102 and 104 may be affixed to bag 200 by one or more seals with each seal extending in a lengthwise direction of flanges 102 and 104. In certain embodiments, the attaching seals may be formed by heat or ultrasonically. In an alternative embodiment, flanges 102 and 104 may be affixed to bag 200 by a pressure sensitive adhesive. In further embodiments, first flange 102 can be integral with first panel 202 and second flange 102 can be integral with second panel 204.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate details of a certain embodiment of the plurality of perforations 105. As shown by cross-section FIG. 5B, second surface curves inward as the surface approaches single perforation or aperture 105s. FIG. 5B further illustrates that second surface 108 of flange 102 curves upward as perforation 105s is approached. Additionally, FIG. 5B shows annular-shaped aperture wall 107 extending at 90 degrees from a plane of first flange 102 with first surface 106 transitioning from horizontal to vertical as surface 106 approaches perforation 105s. FIG. 5B further shows that distal end 109 of wall 107 is jagged and irregular.

Wall 107 can be formed by the formation of aperture 105s. Wall 107, along with walls corresponding to each aperture of perforation of the above-described plurality of perforations 105, can be intentionally formed during the perforation making process to increase the tactile feedback provided by the plurality of perforations 105. At least in one embodiment, perforation 105s of FIG. 6 can be formed by cold dull perforating pins. The irregular features of distal end 109 of aperture wall 107 can be formed from the tearing of flange 102 when perforation 105s is formed.

Unlike the FIGS. 5A and 5B embodiment, in other embodiments, the plurality of perforations 150 may be formed by other methods, such as heated pins that do not form such a pronounced and jagged raised feature as annular wall 107. Formation by heated pins may form an annular bulge about perforation 105s, but not a jagged wall as described and shown in FIG. 5B.

As previously noted, the specific embodiments depicted herein are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Indeed, it is contemplated that any number of different embodiments may be utilized without diverging from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to more fully encompass the full scope of the present invention.