EP0130601B1 - Interlocking closure device having improved ease of occlusion - Google Patents

Interlocking closure device having improved ease of occlusion Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0130601B1
EP0130601B1 EP84107590A EP84107590A EP0130601B1 EP 0130601 B1 EP0130601 B1 EP 0130601B1 EP 84107590 A EP84107590 A EP 84107590A EP 84107590 A EP84107590 A EP 84107590A EP 0130601 B1 EP0130601 B1 EP 0130601B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
closure element
fastening device
closure
male
interlocking
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP84107590A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0130601A1 (en
Inventor
Ronald Joseph Cisek
Algis Stephen Lewkow
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Glad Products Co
Original Assignee
First Brands Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by First Brands Corp filed Critical First Brands Corp
Priority to AT84107590T priority Critical patent/ATE35403T1/de
Publication of EP0130601A1 publication Critical patent/EP0130601A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0130601B1 publication Critical patent/EP0130601B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
    • B65D33/16—End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices
    • B65D33/25—Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners
    • B65D33/2508—Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners using slide fasteners with interlocking members having a substantially uniform section throughout the length of the fastener; Sliders therefor
    • B65D33/2541—Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners using slide fasteners with interlocking members having a substantially uniform section throughout the length of the fastener; Sliders therefor characterised by the slide fastener, e.g. adapted to interlock with a sheet between the interlocking members having sections of particular shape
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
    • A44B19/00—Slide fasteners
    • A44B19/10—Slide fasteners with a one-piece interlocking member on each stringer tape
    • A44B19/16—Interlocking member having uniform section throughout the length of the stringer

Definitions

  • This invention relates to closure fastening devices, and more particularly, to interlocking closure fastening devices having improved occlusion characteristics.
  • An interlocking closure fastening device comprising a female closure element and a male closure element formed such that the male closure element and the female closure element engage in interlocking relationship;
  • the male closure element including a profile portion comprising a base portion having a pair of spaced-apart, parallelly disposed webs attached to the base portion and extending therefrom, the webs terminating in hooks comprising hook portions facing away from each other;
  • the female closure element including a profile portion comprising a base portion having a pair of spaced-apart, parallelly disposed webs attached to the base portion and spaced to pass over the webs on said male closure element, wherein the webs on the female closure element terminate in hooks extending toward each other to engage the hooks on the male closure element, is known from GB-A-2 017 813.
  • Closure fastening devices for use with plastic bags should be relatively easy to open and close and also provide a satisfactory seal.
  • some prior art interlocking closure fastening devices suffer from a tendency of the male and female closure elements to straddle each other and to not occlude during attempted occlusion as opposed to a normally occluded position.
  • Such a non-occluded, and also straddled condition of the male and female closure elements on a plastic bag precludes occlusion of the closure elements and results in the bag contents not being securely contained within the bag. Consequently, it would be desirable to provide more positive guidance of the opposing closure elements such that the elements engage more repeatedly into the normally occluded condition, and that the elements be inhibited from engaging into a non-occluded and straddled condition.
  • an interlocking closure fastening device comprising a female closure element and a male closure element formed such that the male closure element and the female closure element engage in interlocking relationship;
  • the male closure element including a profile portion comprising a base portion having a pair of spaced-apart, parallelly disposed webs attached to the base portion and extending therefrom, said webs terminating in hooks comprising hook portions facing away from each other;
  • the female closure element including a profile portion comprising a base portion having a pair of spaced-apart, parallelly disposed webs attached to the base portion and spaced to pass over the webs on said male closure element, wherein the webs on the female closure element terminate in hooks extending toward each other to engage the hooks on the male closure element, is characterized in that the hooks on the male closure element further comprise hook projections facing toward each other.
  • the two hook projections facing toward each other reduce the width of the transverse opening between the webs of the male closure element in the area of the hooks, thereby inhibiting the tendency for either of the webs of the female closure element to enter the opening between the webs of the male closure element.
  • the male closure element of this invention thus reduces the potential for straddling when occluding an interlocking closure fastening device comprising a male closure element and a female closure element, thereby resulting in greater ease of occlusion and the obtainment of secure occlusion.
  • the interlocking closure fastening device of the present invention has an occluded height of between about 1.52 mm (60 mils) and about 2.16 mm (85 mils), most preferably about 1.78 mm (70 mils), and a corresponding occluded width of between about 2.41 mm (95 mils) and about 3.18 mm (125 mils), most preferably about 2.79 mm (110 mils).
  • base portion of the male closure element preferably is resiliently bendable.
  • Fig. 1 shows a typical flexible container 10 formed from a plastic film which is folded at bottom portion 11 and is heat sealed along the side edges 12 to form a pouch or bag.
  • the sidewalls 13 may extend beyond a closure fastening device 14 to provide grasping sections 16 and 17 to simplify the opening of the closure fastening device 14.
  • the closure fastening device 14 comprises a male profile portion 18' which is connected to a flange portion 19 and includes a base portion 20, a pair of spaced-apart, parallelly disposed webs 21 extending in a generally normal direction from the base portion 20, and male hooks 22' extending from webs 21 and facing away from each other.
  • a female profile portion 24 (Fig. 3) of a female closure element is connected to flange portion 25 and includes a base portion 26, a pair of spaced-apart, parallelly disposed webs 27 extending in a generally normal direction from the base portion 26 and female hooks 28 extending from webs 27 and facing towards each other.
  • the female hooks each have a rounded crown surface 29, and 29', which serve to guide the hooks for occlusion with the male hooks of a mating male closure element.
  • Profile portions 18' and 24 may be separately formed and thereafter connected to a film which forms sidewalls 13, or they may be integrally formed with sidewalls 13 as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the male profile portion 18' in accordance with this invention is disclosed in detail wherein hook projections 31 on hooks 22' can be seen extending from the broken lines 23" shown therein to form a reduced gap between hook portions 22' to thereby physically hinder the straddling of a male-closure element and a female closure element. Accordingly, the desired hindrance of the straddle position that could occur between a male closure element and a female closure element is obtained, and likewise, the other desired characteristic of ease of occlusion is enabled by providing a guiding action for the hook surfaces of the female closure element to slide along the outside surfaces 32 of hooks 22' of the male closure element. Such guidance helps direct the male and female closure elements into their proper occluded position.
  • hook projections 31 may be any suitable length so as to virtually close the gap or void between them and preclude entrance therein of the hook and web portions of the female closure element, thereby virtually insuring occlusion and eliminating the possibility of straddling between the male and female closure elements.
  • Manufacturing considerations may limit the extent to which the hook projections 31 are brought close together thereby reducing the guidance effect between the male closure element of this invention and a conventional interlocking female closure element. Satisfactory results have been obtained when the hook projections 31 have lengths, on a proportionate scale to the occluded height and occluded width of the interlocking closure fastening device, of between about 0.13 mm (5 mils) and about 0.20 mm (8 mils) as measured between the dotted lines 33 shown in Fig. 2.
  • hook projections 31 have lengths, on a proportionate scale to the occluded height and occluded width of the interlocking closure fastening device, of between about 0.13 mm (5 mils) and about 0.51 mm (20 mils), as such lengths provide the aforementioned desired characteristics to interlocking closure fastening devices.
  • certain parts of the hooks 22' of the male closure element of this invention have lengths, on a proportionate scale to the occluded height and occluded width of the interlocking closure fastening device, of between about 0.13 mm (5 mils) and about 0.25 (10 mils) as measured between the dotted lines 34 shown in Fig. 2.
  • the term "proportionate” is to indicate the relative proportions of the closure elements of the interlocking closure fastening device when the male and female closure elements are occluded.
  • the interlocking closure fastening device of this invention has an occluded height of between about 1.52 mm (60 mils) and about 2.16 (85 mils), and an occluded width of between about 2.41 mm (95 mils) and about 3.18 mm (125 mils)
  • the lengths of the hook of the male closure element are between about 0.13 mm (5 mils) and about 0.25 mm (10 mils)
  • the lengths of the hook projections of the male closure element are between about 0.13 mm (5 mils) and about 0.51 mm (20 mils) on a proportionate scale to the occluded height and occluded width of the interlocking closure fastening device.
  • the lengths of the hooks and hook projections of the male closure element should be proportionately increased or decreased to maintain the relative proportions of the closure elements.
  • Fig. 3 shows a male closure element in accordance with this invention in a misaligned position with respect to a female closure element just prior to occlusion therewith. It can be seen from Fig. 3 that even though the male closure element and the female closure element are misaligned, they will be guided into the desired occluding alignment by hook projections 31 extending toward each other from male hooks 22' for ultimate interlocking occlusion.
  • Fig. 4 it can be seen that when the male closure element in accordance with this invention is properly aligned with a female closure element just prior to occlusion, such will not only lead to greater ease of occlusion therebetween, but will also inhibit the movement of the male closure element and the female closure element into a non-occluded straddle position.
  • the closure fastening device of this invention may be formed from thermoplastic materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, or the like, or from a combination thereof.
  • thermoplastic materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, or the like, or from a combination thereof.
  • resins or mixtures of resins such as high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene and low density polyethylene may be employed to prepare the novel closure device of this invention.
  • the closure fastening device of the invention may be manufactured by extrusion, or other known methods of producing such devices.
  • the closure fastening device can be manufactured as individual closure elements for later attachment to a film, or the closure profile portions can be manufactured integral with a film.
  • the closure fastening device can be manufactured with or without flange portions on one or both of the closure elements depending upon intended use or expected additional manufacturing operations.
  • the closure fastening device may be integrally formed with the sidewalls of a container, or connected to a container, or to a film to be formed into a container, by the use of any of many known methods.
  • a thermoelectric device can be applied to a film in contact with a flange portion of a closure element or the thermoelectric device can be applied to a film in contact with the base portion of a closure element having no flange portion, to cause a transfer of heat through the film to produce melting at the interface of the film and the flange portion or base portion of the closure element. On cooling, the interface region joins the film and the closure element.
  • the thermoelectric device can be heated rotary discs, or resistance heated slide wires, or traveling heater bands, or the like.
  • connection between the film and the closure element can also be established by the use of hot melt adhesives, or hot jets of air to the interface, or ultrasonic heating, or other known methods.
  • closure fastening device and films can be made from a heat sealable material so that a container can be formed economically by heat sealing the aforementioned components to form the container.
  • the closure fastening device of this invention provides many advantages for use in containers to be used by consumers.
  • the closure device is easy to occlude and does not tend to twist and distort during attempted occlusion as in the case of some prior art devices such as the arrowhead-shaped device employed with a container available under the tradename ZIPLOC @ from Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Michigan. This provides convenience in the occluding operation.
  • closure fastening device is more difficult to deocclude from the inside of the containers than from the outside of the containers thereby providing more secure containment of goods such as food products.
  • the profile portions of the closure device have approximately uniform cross-sections. This not only simplifies the manufacture of the device but it also contributes to the physical flexibility of the device, which is a desirable property.
  • a closure fastening device in accordance with this invention can also be used as a flexible straw because a good seal at the engaged surfaces is possible and a compartment defined by the occluded closure elements provides a passageway which does not collapse when the closure fastening device is bent moderately.
  • the closure fastening device of this invention can be manufactured in a variety of forms to suit the intended use.
  • the male and female closure elements can be positioned on opposite sides of a film. Such an embodiment would be suited for enwrapping an object or a collection of objects such as wires.
  • the male and female closure elements on a film should be parallel to each other, but this would depend on the intended use.

Landscapes

  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Slide Fasteners (AREA)
  • Slide Fasteners, Snap Fasteners, And Hook Fasteners (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Medicines That Contain Protein Lipid Enzymes And Other Medicines (AREA)
  • Retarders (AREA)
  • Peptides Or Proteins (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Antibodies Or Antigens For Use As Internal Diagnostic Agents (AREA)
  • Connection Of Plates (AREA)
  • Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
  • Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Insertion Pins And Rivets (AREA)
  • Specific Sealing Or Ventilating Devices For Doors And Windows (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Superconductors And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
  • Clamps And Clips (AREA)
  • Refuse Receptacles (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)
EP84107590A 1983-06-30 1984-06-29 Interlocking closure device having improved ease of occlusion Expired EP0130601B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT84107590T ATE35403T1 (de) 1983-06-30 1984-06-29 Druckverschlussvorrichtung zum leichten verschliessen.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US50938883A 1983-06-30 1983-06-30
US509388 1983-06-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0130601A1 EP0130601A1 (en) 1985-01-09
EP0130601B1 true EP0130601B1 (en) 1988-06-29

Family

ID=24026457

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP84107590A Expired EP0130601B1 (en) 1983-06-30 1984-06-29 Interlocking closure device having improved ease of occlusion

Country Status (12)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0130601B1 (es)
JP (1) JPS60501704A (es)
AT (1) ATE35403T1 (es)
AU (1) AU559370B2 (es)
CA (1) CA1269645A (es)
DE (1) DE3472386D1 (es)
DK (1) DK160698C (es)
ES (6) ES289497Y (es)
FI (1) FI78436C (es)
NZ (1) NZ208747A (es)
PT (1) PT78830B (es)
WO (1) WO1985000342A1 (es)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002030231A1 (en) * 2000-10-10 2002-04-18 Golding Griessel Lester Harold A coupling device

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4922588A (en) * 1983-12-30 1990-05-08 First Brands Corporation Single hinge interlocking closure profile configuration
US4829641A (en) * 1987-06-22 1989-05-16 First Brands Corporation Enhanced color change interlocking closure strip

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1307672A (en) * 1969-04-01 1973-02-21 Goffton Ltd Jointing or securing of sheet materials
US4212337A (en) * 1978-03-31 1980-07-15 Union Carbide Corporation Closure fastening device
US4186786A (en) * 1978-09-29 1980-02-05 Union Carbide Corporation Colored interlocking closure strips for a container

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002030231A1 (en) * 2000-10-10 2002-04-18 Golding Griessel Lester Harold A coupling device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES287496U (es) 1986-04-16
ES287497U (es) 1986-04-16
ES287495U (es) 1986-04-16
ATE35403T1 (de) 1988-07-15
AU3105484A (en) 1985-02-07
ES287495Y (es) 1986-12-01
DK92785D0 (da) 1985-02-28
WO1985000342A1 (en) 1985-01-31
ES287499Y (es) 1986-06-16
FI78436C (fi) 1989-08-10
DK160698B (da) 1991-04-08
DK160698C (da) 1991-09-23
FI850807L (fi) 1985-12-28
ES289497Y (es) 1986-12-01
FI78436B (fi) 1989-04-28
PT78830B (en) 1986-07-15
ES287497Y (es) 1986-12-01
PT78830A (en) 1984-08-01
ES287496Y (es) 1986-12-01
CA1269645A (en) 1990-05-29
ES287499U (es) 1985-11-16
EP0130601A1 (en) 1985-01-09
DE3472386D1 (en) 1988-08-04
ES287498U (es) 1986-04-16
FI850807A0 (fi) 1985-02-27
AU559370B2 (en) 1987-03-05
ES289497U (es) 1986-04-16
NZ208747A (en) 1987-03-31
DK92785A (da) 1985-02-28
JPS60501704A (ja) 1985-10-11
ES287498Y (es) 1986-12-01

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