KR100323626B1 - Integrated end stopper for zipper sliders - Google Patents

Abstract

Leak-proof plastic zippers with integral end stops for zipper sliders are particularly suitable for thermoplastic bags. The increased height of the flange over the interlocking elements of the zipper and the increased valley depth on the separator of the slider extending downward between the flanges provide a means to stop the movement of the slider past the end of the zipper. The separator structure suspended from the slider has a shape corresponding to the T-shaped inverted in the vertical cross-section, the horizontal T-shaped inverted portion of the window structure in the flanges above the interlocking elements and adjacent to either of the integral end stops. Have ends adapted to be received.

Description

Integral end stops for zipper sliders

Plastic reclosable fasteners or zippers provided with sliders are known. The plastic zipper contains a pair of male and female fastener elements in the form of rib (shape) elements and groove (shape) elements that are retightly interlocked together, which in cooperation with the slider Opening and closing the lip element and the groove element. In the manufacture of plastic film bags, these pairs of male and female elements extend along the mouth of the bag and are secured to the flexible (flexible) walls of the plastic film bag in a suitable manner. These zipper elements may be peripheral portions integral to such walls, or may be extruded separately and attached to the wall along the mouse of the bag.

Various means have been used until now to provide a leak-proof plastic zipper and to prevent the slider from slipping off the end of the zipper. One means is disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,259,951. In this patent, the opposing interlocking or joining strips are permanently joined or sealed to one another at the end, and separate stop members are sealed between these members to prevent the slider from moving longitudinally. One end of these strips is notched to receive the separating member of the slider.

U. S. Patent No. 5,020, 194 discloses another anti-leakage zipper provided with a slider. In the patent, the zipper structure is formed with a slit or notch locally at the end where the slider travels, such that locking the zipper creates a closed state where the lip element and the groove element are completely locked together to prevent leakage.

U.S. Pat.No. 5,088,971 and U.S. Pat.No. 5,131,121 are made of existing materials of lip and groove-like elements at both ends of the zipper and protrude laterally from the zipper at a suitable distance to engage the sides of the slider, so that the slider An end stop is disclosed that prevents movement past each end.

In US Pat. No. 5,161,286, end clamps are located at both ends of the zipper. The pair of end clamp members are mutually supported by a flexible strap extending over the top of the zipper and a rivet extending through the sidewalls of the bag located below the lip and groove shaped elements of the end clamp and zipper. Connected and fixed to the wall.

In US Pat. No. 5,067,208, the reclosable fasteners and sliders made of plastic constrain the end clamp member and the slider to the closed position when the slider reaches the closed end of the travel path along the track, and the male and female of the fastener Means for maintaining the elements in a mutually locking relationship.

Fused plastic end clips for zippers are disclosed in PCT / US94 / 06417. Tubular plastic end stops for plastic zippers are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,405,478. These applications have been published after the priority date of the present application.

It is desirable to provide an integral end stop for a zipper slider in a leak-proof plastic zipper, in which case the volume of material available at the ends of the lip element and the groove element forms an integral end stop without using an end clamp member. In addition to being suitable below, it is also sufficient to include an opening on the slider to receive the separator finger, and the interlocking elements can be completely sealed under the slider to create a leak proof seal. Also, when in the closed position, it is preferable to form the opening so that a "confinement" effect of holding the slider in the closed position occurs.

The present invention relates to the improvement of a reclosable plastic fastener or zipper provided with a slider for opening and closing a zipper in a plastic film bag or the like. Specifically, the present invention relates to a leak-proof plastic zipper for providing an integrated end stop for a zipper slider at the end of the plastic zipper to seal the end of the zipper and to hold the slider on the zipper.

1 is a partial perspective view of a leak-proof plastic zipper provided with an integrated end stop for a zipper slider mounted to a thermoplastic bag, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view similar to FIG. 1, showing a slider at the closed end of the zipper near the integral end stop. FIG.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3, showing a separator structure inserted into an opening in the zipper flange.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved leak-proof plastic zipper provided with an integrated end stop for a zipper slider.

According to the present invention, there is provided a leak-proof plastic zipper with an integrated end stop for a zipper slider, in particular suitable for thermoplastic bags, etc., comprising a pair of flexible plastic strips, extending along their length and on each strip. Detachable fastener means are provided that include a reclosable interlocking lip (shape) element and a groove (shape) element, each strip having a flange extending along the length of the strip parallel to the lip and element. A pair of flexible plastic strips provided with structural portions;

An inverted U-shaped plastic member provided with a rear portion moving along the upper edge of the flange structure and a hanging side wall protruding from the rear portion to hold the flange structure, the lip element and the groove element therebetween, A straddling slider interposed between the flange structure and including a separator structure for opening the lip element and the groove element, the straddling slider provided on the strip to open and close the reclosable lip element and the groove element. )

Including;

The side wall extends from the open end of the slider to the closed end and is spaced wider at the open end so as to separate the lip element and the groove element, and the lip element and when the slider is moved in the closing direction of the zipper. Spaced close enough to each other at the closed end to press the groove elements into the mutually locked state;

The flange structure and the lip element and the groove element are vertically sealed together at both ends of the pair of strips to keep the zipper closed at both ends and provide an integral end stop for the zipper slider;

The flange structure is formed with a window structure below the upper portion of the flange structure and above the lip element and the groove element adjacent to one of the end stops;

The opening is sized to receive the separator structure at the open end of the slider such that when the slider is moved in the closing direction of the zipper, the interlocking lip element and the groove element are defined by the closed end of the slider. Closed over the length of the strip;

The separator structure is characterized in that it is received in the opening at the open end of the slider and is not effective to keep the interlocking lip element and the groove element open in the flange structure to prevent leakage through the zipper. do.

The separator structure suspended from the rear portion of the slider has a vertical cross-section generally corresponding to an inverted T, and the inverted T is provided with an end adapted to be accommodated in the opening.

The horizontal portion of the inverted T is preferably formed to help the inverted T-shaped portion of the slider to be released from the opening when the slider is moved in the opening direction of the zipper.

The thickness of the vertical portion of the inverted T is preferably smaller than the normal spacing between the flanges when the interlocking lip element and the groove element of the zipper are closed.

It will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a slider 10 made of plastic and a reclosable fastener or zipper 11 made of plastic according to the invention. The slider 10 and the zipper 11 are particularly suitable for thermoplastic bags and the like, and the slider 10 is assembled to the zipper 11 at the upper end or mouth of the thermoplastic bag B in FIGS. 1 to 4. Shown in the state. The bag (B) can be made of any suitable thermoplastic material such as, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene or its equivalent.

The bag B is formed of a pair of flexible plastic sheets 12 and 13 connected at the bottom and having an upper edge, and the pair of flexible plastic strips 14 and 15 are attached thereto. And a releasable interlockable male and female shape in the form of lip elements and groove elements 16, 17 on each strip to form a zipper 11. Contains an element. The strips 14 and 15 may be separately extruded and attached to each side of the back mouse, or may be extruded integrally with the side of the back mouse.

The strips 14, 15 include flanges or tracks 18, 19 that extend along the length of the strips parallel to the lip and groove elements 16, 17. The depths of the flanges 18, 19 are considerable, the purpose of which is described below. The lip element and groove element 16, 17 may be of the type disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,007,143.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 4, the slider 10 spans the zipper 11 above the bag B and is adapted to open and close the reclosable fastener elements 16, 17 of the zipper 11. have. The slider 10 may be molded from one molded plastic and includes a separator structure 9 and complementary structures that interlock with each other to be moved along the zipper 11. The separator structure 9 cooperates with the zipper 11 in a manner to give the slider a self-locking feature to provide a leak-proof bag as described in more detail below.

The slider 10 may be similar to the slider disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,067,208 except for the structure of the separator structure 9. Slider 10 may be molded from a suitable plastic such as, for example, nylon, polypropylene, polystyrene, delrin or ABS.

The slider 10 is made of an inverted U-shaped plastic member with a back portion 20 that moves along the upper edges of the flange structures 18, 19. The plastic member has flange structures 18, 19. ), Suspended side walls 21, 22 are provided which project from the back to hold the lip element and the groove elements 16, 17 between the side walls. The side walls 21 and 22 are preferably pivoted to the rear portion 20 at their upper ends, and at their lower ends there are shoulders 21a and 22a extending inwardly to hold the slider 10 in the zipper. This is best shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the sidewalls 21, 22 extend from the open end 10a of the slider to the closed end 10b and allow the lip element and the groove element 16, 17 to be separated. Spaced apart from each other at 10a) and spaced close enough to each other at the closed end 10b so as to squeeze the lip element and the groove elements 16, 17 together when the slider 10 is moved in the closing direction of the zipper. have. The slider 10 includes a separator structure 9 which is suspended from the back 20 and is inserted between the flange structures 18, 19 to open the lip element and the groove element.

The separator structure 9 is shaped such that its vertical cross-section generally corresponds to an inverted T, and comprises a vertical portion 9a and a horizontal portion 9b. The vertical length of the vertical portion 9a is large enough to support the horizontal portion 9a at a position at a considerable distance from the top of the flanges 18, 19. This purpose is described below. It should be noted that the thickness of the vertical portion 9a is also thin enough over its entire length so that it does not widen the gap between the flanges 18, 19, as the interlocking lip element and the groove element 16, 17. ) Can be opened. The only effective part of widening the flanges 18, 19 to open the lip element and the groove elements 16, 17 is the horizontal portion 9b of the separator structure 9.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the horizontal portion 9b at the open end 10a of the slider is wide enough to widen the flanges 18, 19, thereby opening the lip element and the groove element 16, 17. The part of FIG. 2 taken in FIG. 1 is located midway between both ends of the horizontal portion 9b of the separator structure. In that part shown in FIG. 2, the width of the horizontal portion 9b is sufficiently narrow so that the flanges 18, 19 can be moved in close contact with each other, thus closing the interlocking elements 16, 17. . As can be seen in FIG. 1, the zipper end on the left side of the slider 10 is still kept open by the horizontal portion 9b.

As mentioned above, the flange structures 18, 19 on the strips 14, 15 have a considerable depth as shown in FIG. 1. These purposes can be divided into two categories. The first is to provide an area sufficient to form openings 18a and 19a in which the horizontal portion 9b of the separator is accommodated. Second, when the flanges 18, 19, the lip element and the groove elements 16, 17 are vertically sealed together at the pair of strip ends by providing sufficient plastic material, the zipper 11 is closed at that end. And to provide an integrated end stop 23 for the zipper slider.

Although not shown, it can be seen that the flange structure, the lip element and the groove element are sealed together vertically at both ends of the strip, providing integral end stops at both ends of the slider zipper. The openings 18a, 19a are formed in the flange structures 18, 19 and are disposed above the lip element and the groove element 16, 17 below the top of the flange structure and adjacent the end stop 23. The openings 18a, 19a are sized to accommodate the horizontal portion 9b of the separator structure at the open end 10a of the slider 10, as shown in FIG. 3, thereby providing a slider 10. Is moved in the closing direction of the zipper, the interlocking lip element and the groove element 16, 17 are closed through the entire length of the strips 14, 15 by the closing end 10b of the slider, At the open end, the horizontal portion 9b of the separator structure is received in the openings 18a and 19a. This is best shown in Figures 3-5. Since the horizontal portion 9b extends into the openings 18a and 19a, the horizontal portion 9b is now open in the flange structure 18 and 19 with the interlocking lip element and groove element 16 and 17 open. It is not effective to maintain and this prevents leakage through the zipper.

Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the horizontal portion 9b is disposed at the end of the zipper in the openings 18a and 19a of the flanges 18 and 19. Thus, the slider 10 is in a fully closed position with respect to the zipper 11. In order to help the separator structure 9 to be released from the openings 18a and 19a, the front end 9c of the horizontal portion 9b is curved or chamfered so that the slider 10 opens in the zipper. It helps to separate the flanges 18, 19 when moved in the direction. Thus, openings 18a and 19a produce a "bound" effect to the slider when in the closed position.

U.S. Patent 5,067,208 and U.S. Patent 5,161,286 use an additional clamp or clip at the end of the zipper to allow the bag to leak. In these applications, the height of each flange is about 0.060 inches (1.5 mm) and is disposed above each interlocking element. The interlocking elements are opened by a separator finger on the slider that extends about 0.050 inch (1.3 mm) down between the flanges.

In the present invention, the height of each flange 18, 19 has been increased to 0.500 inch (12.7 mm), and the slider separator structure 9 has increased its depth to 0.500 inch (12.7 mm) and the openings 18a, 19a of the flange. It is enlarged at the bottom to be accommodated). By increasing the height of the flanges 18, 19, sufficient plastic material is obtained in the flanges to form an integral end stop seal 23 at the end of the zipper. This end seal 23 is sufficiently strong to provide a leak-tight closure at the end of the zipper without the need to add end clips or clamps such as those disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,067,208 and US Pat. No. 5,020,194. Distinguished from the notches or slits disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,067,208 and U.S. Patent 5,020,194, the use of the openings 18a, 19a in the flange allows the integrity of the flange structure to be maintained in a position proximate the end seal. It also helps to ensure the zipper's leak-tight closure. The side seal flange 23 and the extended separator structure 9 provide the end stops to the slider 10 at both ends of the bag.

The present invention has several advantages over the prior art. For example, in manufacturing, the cost of extra plastic end straps is eliminated, some heat sealing processes are eliminated, and the station for applying the plastic end straps is removed. Front and back registration is less important as the bag web moves through the bag making machine, and the appearance of the final bag is also improved.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it will be understood that other variations of the invention are possible within the scope of the claims.

Claims (4)

A pair of flexible plastic strips, provided with separable fastener means extending along its length and including reclosable interlocking lip (shape) elements and groove (shape) elements on each strip, each strip A pair of flexible plastic strips provided with a flange structure extending along the length of the strip parallel to said lip shaped and groove shaped elements; An inverted U-shaped plastic member provided with a rear portion moving along the upper edge of the flange structure and a hanging side wall protruding from the rear portion to hold the flange structure, the lip element and the groove element therebetween, A straddling slider interposed between the flange structure to open the lip element and the groove element, the straddling slider provided on the strip to open and close the reclosable lip element and the groove element. Including; The side wall extends from the open end of the slider to the closed end and is spaced wider at the open end so as to separate the lip element and the groove element, and the lip element and when the slider is moved in the closing direction of the zipper. Spaced close enough to each other at said closed end to press the groove elements into mutually locked states, The flange structure and the lip element and the groove element are vertically sealed together at both ends of the pair of strips to keep the zipper closed at both ends and provide an integral end stop for the zipper slider, The flange structure is formed with an opening at an upper bottom of the flange structure and above the lip element and the groove element adjacent to one of the end stops, The opening is sized to receive the separator structure at the open end of the slider such that when the slider is moved in the closing direction of the zipper, the interlocking lip element and the groove element are at the closed end of the slider. By closing the entire length of the strip, The separator structure is characterized in that it is received in the opening at the open end of the slider and is not effective to keep the interlocking lip element and the groove element open in the flange structure to prevent leakage through the zipper. A leak-proof plastic zipper provided with an integrated end stop for a zipper slider suitable for a thermoplastic bag or the like. The separator structure of claim 1, wherein the separator structure suspended from the rear portion of the slider has a vertical cross-section generally corresponding to an inverted T, and the horizontal portion of the inverted T has an end adapted to be accommodated in the opening. A leak-proof plastic zipper characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. The zipper of claim 2, wherein the horizontal portion is formed to help the inverted T-shaped portion of the slider to be released from the opening when the slider is moved in the opening direction of the zipper. 4. The leak prevention according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the vertical portion of the inverted T is smaller than a normal gap between the flanges when the interlocking lip element and the groove element of the zipper are closed. Plastic zipper.