WO2002026068A1

WO2002026068A1 - Closure device

Info

Publication number: WO2002026068A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/026316
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan F. Savicki, Sr.
Original assignee: The Glad Products Company
Priority date: 2000-09-25
Filing date: 2000-09-25
Publication date: 2002-04-04
Also published as: AU2000277138A1

Abstract

The closure device (48) includes interlocking fastening strips (103, 131) and a slider (132) which is assembled onto the fastening strips (130, 131). The slider (132) is installed upon the fastening strips in the following manner. The fastening strips (130, 13) are provided with a slider entry region (145). The slider (132) is positioned over the slider entry region (145) and then moved along the fastening strips (130, 131). An end stop (400) is then provided at the slider entry region (145) to prevent removal of the slider (132) from the fastening strips (130, 131).

Description

CLOSURE DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to closure devices having a slider movably installed upon interlocking fastening strips and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for assembling a slider onto such fastening strips.

' BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of closure devices for fastening storage containers, including plastic bags, is generally well known. Furthermore, the manufacture of closure devices made of plastic materials is generally known to those skilled in the art, as demonstrated by the numerous patents in this area.

A particularly well-known use for closure devices is in connection with flexible storage containers, such as plastic bags. In some instances, the closure device and the associated container are formed from thermoplastic materials, and the closure device and the side walls, of the container are integrally formed by extrusion as a single piece. Alternatively, the closure device and side walls of the container may be formed as separate pieces and then connected by heat sealing or any other suitable connecting process. In either event, such closure devices are particularly useful in providing a closure means for retaining matter within the bag. Conventional closure devices typically utilize mating fastening strips or closure elements which are used to selectively seal the bag. Sliders may be provided for use in opening and closing the fastening strips. The slider may include a separator which extends at least partially between the fastening strips. When the slider is moved in the appropriate direction, the separator divides the fastening strips and opens the bag. The fastening strips can be occluded by moving the slider in the opposite direction toward the other end of the fastening strips to close the bag.

While the use of a slider may facilitate the opening and closing of interlocking fastening strips, there are certain difficulties involved with installing and assembling the slider onto the fastening strips and with retaining the slider thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The closure device includes a first fastening strip, a second fastening strip and a slider. The slider facilitates the occlusion and deocclusion of the fastening strips. The slider comprises a pair of spaced- apart side walls and an intermediate body portion therebetween. The bottom portion of the slider contains a slot. The method of assembling the slider onto interlocking fastening strips comprises the steps of : flattening one end of the fastening strips; placing the slider onto the flattened end of the fastening strips such that the flattened portion of the container enters the slider through the slot on the bottom of the slider; moving the slider horizontally such that the slider self- threads itself onto the fastening strips; arid providing an end stop on the flattened end of the fastening strips that will stop the slider from sliding off of the fastening strips.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description of exemplified embodiments and upon reference to the accompanying drawings .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the present invention in the form of a plastic bag;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top view of the container in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the container in Fig. 1 with the slider positioned above the container;

Fig. 4 is a side view taken along line 4-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the container with the slider being placed onto the container;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the container with the slider on the container;

Fig. 7 is a side view taken along line 7-7 in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a front view of the container with the slider moved from the end position;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9- 9 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a front view of another embodiment of the container;

Fig. 11 is a front view of another embodiment of the container;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a front view of another embodiment of the container;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of fastening strips;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of fastening strips;

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of fastening strips;

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of fastening strips.

While the present invention will be described and disclosed in connection with certain embodiments and procedures, the intent is not to limit the present invention to these embodiments and procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Fig. 1, a closure device 48 is intended for use with a storage container 50, such as a conventional plastic bag. The storage container 50 includes a pair of flexible side walls 52, 53 attached at seams 54, 55 and connected at bottom 56 to form a storage compartment. The side walls 52, 53 are unattached at their upper edge portions 64, 65 to form a mouth 66 for the storage container 50. Although a rectangularly- shaped storage container or bag 50 is specifically illustrated herein, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that other bag configurations may alternatively be employed without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

The closure device 48 includes a pair of interlocking fastening strips 130, 131 which are disposed along the upper edge portions 64, 65 of the side walls

52, 53. The closure device 48 includes a slider 132 which is installed upon and assembled onto the fastening strips 130, 131 in accordance with a method of the present invention. The first fastening strip 130 is attached to the upper edge portion 65 of the side wall

53, the second fastening strip 131 is attached to the upper edge portion 64 of the side wall 52, and the slider 132 is assembled onto both the first and second fastening strips 130, 131 in a slidable manner. The closure device 48 has a first end 120 and a second end 121. While Figs. 1-11 show the interlocking fastening strips 130, 131 in a schematic fashion, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the interlocking fastening strips 130, 131 may have different configurations and forms as will be described below.

The fastening strips 130, 131 and the slider 132 have a longitudinal X axis 102, a transverse Y axis 104 and a vertical Z axis 106. The transverse Y axis 104 is perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis 102. The vertical Z axis 106 is perpendicular t the longitudinal X axis 102 and the vertical Z axis 106 is perpendicular to the transverse Y axis 104.

Once the slider 132 has been assembled onto the interlocking fastening strips 130, 131 in accordance with the present invention, the slider 132 may be moved therealong to facilitate the occlusion and deocclusion of the fastening strips 130, 131. For example, when slider 132 is moved in an occlusion direction 101, it facilitates the occlusion of the interlocking fastening strips 130, 131. Conversely, when slider 132 is moved in a deocclusion direction 102, it facilitates the deocclusion of the interlocking fastening strips 130, 131.

Many different embodiments of the slider 132 can be used. One embodiment of the slider 132 is illustrated in Figs 2, 4 and 7. The slider 132 includes a top portion 240, a first side portion 244, and a second side portion 246. The top portion 240 may include a separator 250 having a first end 252 and a second end 254 where the first end 252 may be wider than the second end 254. The separator 250 may be generally triangular in shape. The first side portion 244 has a first shoulder 230 and the second side portion 246 has a second shoulder 232. In addition, the first side portion 244 may have a third shoulder 234 and the second side portion 246 may have a fourth shoulder 236.

As shown in Fig. 4, a slot 210 is formed by a space between the shoulders 230, 232 of the slider 132. The slot 210 has a width 204. Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the slider 132 has a slider length 202 and has a shoulder length 203.

The slider 132 may be conveniently assembled onto the interlocking fastening strips 130, 131 in the following manner. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a slider entry region 145 is formed at one end 120 of the closure device 48. The entry region 145 has a length 140 along X axis 102 which is equal to or greater than the slider length 202. Referring to Fig. 4, the slider entry region 145 may be flattened to a width 124 that is less than or equal to the slider slot width 204. The width 124 may be greater than slot width 204, but the shoulders will need to spread apart during attachment of the slider so that the slot width 204 increases. Prior to flattening, the fastening strips 130, 131 have a width 126.

In another embodiment of the slider, the shoulder length of the shoulders may be less than the slider length. Thus, the slider entry region length may be equal to or greater than the shoulder length.

Referring to Fig. 4, the fastening strips 130, 131 can be formed to create the slider entry region 145 through a plurality of methods . One method for forming the slider entry region 145 is the application of heat and pressure at the slider entry region of the fastening strips 130, 131 to create surfaces 147, 148. For example, heated tools 190, 191 can be moved along Y axis 104 so as to contact the fastening strips and form surfaces 147, 148.

Other methods of forming the slider entry region 145 include ultrasonic sealing, cold forming and other suitable methods.

Referring to Fig. 4, the slider 132 is placed above the slider entry region 145 and the slider 132 is moved downward along a Z axis 106 toward the slider entry region 145. Referring to Fig. 5, the slider slot 210 passes over the slider entry region 145. The resulting position is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 where the slider 132 is positioned on the slider entry region 145.

As shown in Fig. 8, the slider 132 can then be moved from the slider entry region 145 onto the other portions of the fastening strips 130, 131 by moving the slider 132 along the X axis 102.

As the slider 132 is moved along the X axis 102 onto the fastening strips 130 and 131, the slider 132 aligns itself onto the fastening strips 130, 131. There are many ways for the slider 132 to align itself onto the fastening strips 130, 131. One embodiment of this process involves the separator 250 on the slider self- threading itself between the fastening strips 130, 131 as shown in Fig. 9. As the slider 132 is moved along X axis 102, the separator 250 will bend the fastening strips 130, 131 such that the separator 250 will pass over one of the fastening strips and align itself between the two fastening strips 130, 131.

Another such embodiment of this alignment process utilizes a slit 390 shown in Fig. 10 having slit length 392. The slit 390 can be cut along the Z axis 106 in one or both of the fastening strips 330, 331. The slit length 392 can be less than, equal to, or greater than a separator height 394 of the slider 332. The separator 350 can pass through the slit 390 in order to be aligned between the fastening strips 330, 331.

As shown in Fig. 11, once the slider 132 is positioned on the fastening strips 130, 131, an end stop may be added to the end of the fastening strips to prevent the slider 132 from sliding off of the fastening strips 130, 131 along X axis 102. Different embodiments of end stops may be used.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the end stop 400 may be formed by: (1) deforming the slider entry region 145 to widen the entry region width so that it is wider than the slider slot width; and/or (2) by deforming the slider entry region 145 to increase the height of the slider entry region 145. This could be performed by applying a combination of pressure and heat to first end 120.

In addition, additional material could be added to the slider entry region to increase the size of the slider entry region. For example, in another embodiment, the fastening strips may include an end stop 500 which is placed over the slider entry region 145 and then attached to the fastening strips 130, 131 as shown in Fig. 13. The containers are formed using a continuous process. After the end stop is provided, the containers are created by cutting and sealing the continuous assembly along line 510 which forms the seam 54 for the first container and the seam 55 for the second container as shown in Fig. 13.

In keeping with a general aspect of the present invention and as will be described in greater detail below, the interlocking fastening strips may be of different types or forms .

As shown in Fig. 14, the fastening strips may be U- channel fastening strips as described in U.S. Patent 4,829,641. U-channel fastening strips include a first fastening strip 630 with a first closure element 636 and a second fastening strip 631 with a second closure element 634. The first closure element 636 engages the second closure element 634. The first fastening strip 630 may include a flange 663 disposed at the upper end of the first fastening strip 630 and a rib 667 disposed at the lower end of the first fastening strip 630. The first fastening strip 630 may include a flange portion 669. Likewise, the second fastening strip 631 may include a flange 653 disposed at the upper end of the second fastening strip 631 and a rib 657 disposed at the lower end of the second fastening strip 631. The second fastening strip 631 may include a flange portion 659. The side walls 622, 623 of the plastic bag 620 may be attached to the fastening strips 630, 631 by conventional manufacturing techniques .

The second closure element 634 includes a base portion 638 having a pair of spaced-apart parallely disposed webs 640, 641, extending from the base portion

638. The base and the webs form a U-channel closure element. The webs 640, include hook closure portions 642,

644 extending from the webs 640, 641 respectively, and facing towards each other. The hook closure portions 642,

644 include guide surfaces 646, 647 which serve to guide the hook closure portions 642, 644 for occluding with the hook closure portions 652, 654 of the first closure element 636.

The first closure element 636 includes a base portion 648 including a pair of spaced-apart , parallely disposed webs 650, 651 extending from the base portion 648. The base and the webs form a U-channel closure element. The webs 650, 651 include hook closure portions 652, 654 extending from the webs 650, 651 respectively and facing away from each other. The hook closure portions 652, 654 include guide surfaces 645, 655, which generally serve to guide the hook closure portions 652, 654 for occlusion with the hook closure portions 642, 644 of the second closure element 634. The guide surfaces 645, 655 may also have a rounded crown surface .

The slider 632 includes a top portion 672. The top portion provides a separator 643 having a first end and a second end wherein the first end may be wider than the second end. In addition, the separator 643 may be triangular in shape. When the slider is moved in the occlusion direction, the separator 643 deoccludes the fastening strips 630, 631 as shown in Fig. 14. Referring to Fig. 14, the closure elements 634, 636 are deoccluded and specifically, the upper hook portions 642, 652 and the lower hook portions 644, 654 are deoccluded. The interlocking fastening strips . may comprise "arrowhead-type" or rib and groove" fastening strips as shown in Fig. 15 and as described in U.S. Patent 3,806,998. The rib element 705 interlocks with the groove element 707. The rib element 705 is of generally arrow- shape in transverse cross section including a head 710 comprising interlock shoulder hook portions 711 and 712 generally convergently related to provide a cam ridge 713 generally aligned with a stem flange 714 by which the head is connected in spaced relation with respect to the supporting flange portion 708. (U.S. Patent 3,806,998, Col.^' 2, lines 16-23). At their surfaces nearest the connecting stem flange 714, the shoulder portions 711 and 712 define reentrant angles therewith providing interlock hooks engageable with interlock hook flanges 715 and 717 respectively of the groove element 707. (U.S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 23-28). Said hook flanges generally converge toward one another and are spread open to receive the head 710 therebetween when said head is pressed into said groove element 707 until the head is fully received in a groove 718 of said groove element 707 generally complementary to the head and within which the head is interlocked by interengagement of the head shoulder hook portions 711 and 712 and the groove hook flanges 715 and 717. (U.S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 28-36) . Through this arrangement, as indicated, the head and groove elements 705 and 707 are adapted to be interlockingly engaged by being pressed together and to be separated when forcably pulled apart, as by means of a generally U-shaped slider 719. (U.S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 36-41) .

The slider 719 includes a flat back plate 720 adapted to run along free edges 721 on the upper ends of the sections of the flange portions 708 and 709 as shown in the drawing. (U.S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 41-

46) . Integrally formed with the back plate 720 and extending in the same direction (downwardly as shown) therefrom are respective coextensive side walls 722 with an intermediate spreader finger 723 extending in the same direction as the side walls at one end of the slider.

(U.S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 46-51). The side walls 722 are in the form of panels which are laterally divergent from a narrower end of the slider. (U.S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 51-55). The slider walls 722 are each provided with an inwardly projecting shoulder structure 724 flange adapted to engage respective shoulder ribs 725 and 727 on respectively outer sides of the lower section of the flange portions 708 and 709. (U.S. Patent 3,806,998, Col. 2, line 66 to Co. 3, line 3) .

Additionally, the interlocking fastening strips may comprise "profile" fastening strips, as shown in Fig. 16 and described in U.S. Patent 5,664,299. As shown in FIG. 16, the first profile 816 has at least an uppermost closure element 816a and a bottommost closure element 816Jb. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 25-27). The closure elements 816a and 816Jb project laterally from the inner surface of strip 814. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 27-28) . Likewise, the second profile 817 has at least an uppermost closure element 817a and a bottommost closure element 817J . (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 28-30) . The closure elements 817a and 817£> project laterally from the inner surface of strip 815. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 30-32). When the bag is closed, the closure elements of profile 816 interlock with the corresponding closure elements of profile 817. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 32-34). As shown in FIG. 19, closure elements 816a, 816b, 817a and 817b have hooks on the ends of the closure elements, so that the profiles remain interlocked when the bag is closed, thereby forming a seal. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 34-37).

The straddling slider 810 comprises an inverted U- shaped member having a top 820 for moving along the top edges of the strips 814 and 815. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 1-3). The slider 810 has side walls 821 and 822 depending from the top 820. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 3-4). A separating leg 823 depends from the top 820 between the side walls 821 and 822 and is located between the uppermost closure elements 816a and 817a of profiles 816 and 817. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 26-30) . The fastening assembly includes ridges 825 on the outer surfaces of the fastening strips 814 and 815, and shoulders 821b and 822b on the side walls of the slider. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 62-65). The shoulders act as means for maintaining the slider in straddling relation with the fastening strips by grasping the lower surfaces of the ridges 825. (U.S. Patent 5,664,299, Col. 5, lines 4-7).

Also, the interlocking fastening strips may be "rolling action" fastening strips as shown in Fig. 17 and described in U.S. Patent 5,007,143. The strips 914 and 915 include profiled tracks 918 and 919 extending along the length thereof parallel to the rib and groove elements 916 and 917 and the rib and groove elements 916, 917 have complimentary cross-sectional shapes such that they are closed by pressing the bottom of the elements together first and then rolling the elements to a closed position toward the top thereof. (U.S. Patent 5,007,143, Col. 4, line 62 to Col. 5, line 1) . The rib element 916 is hook shaped and projects from the inner face of strip 914. (U.S. Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 1-3). The groove element 917 includes a lower hook-shaped projection 917a and a relatively straight projection 917b which extend from the inner face of strip 915. (U.S. Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 3-6). The profiled tracks 918 and 919 are inclined inwardly toward each other from their respective strips 914 and 915. (U.S. Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 6-8) .

The straddling slider 910 comprises an inverted U- shaped plastic member having a back 920 for moving along the top edges of the tracks 918 and 919 with side walls 921 and 922 depending therefrom for cooperating with the tracks and extending from an opening end of the slider to a closing end. (U.S. Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 26- 31) . A separator finger 923 depends from the back 920 between the side walls 921 and 922 and is inserted between the inclined tracks 918 and 919. (U.S. Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 34-36). The slider 910 has shoulders 921a and 922a projecting inwardly from the depending side walls 921 and 922 which are shaped throughout the length thereof for cooperation with the depending separator finger 923 in creating the rolling action in opening and closing the reclosable interlocking rib and groove profile elements 916 and 917. (U.S. Patent 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 43- 49) .

Although several interlocking fastening strip embodiments have been specifically described and illustrated herein, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that other kinds, types, or forms of fastening strips may be used without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

The interlocking fastening strips may be manufactured by extrusion through a die. The interlocking fastening strips may be formed from any suitable thermoplastic material including, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, or the like, or from a combination thereof. Thus, resins or mixtures of resins such as high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, and low density polyethylene may be employed to prepare the interlocking fastening strips. For example, the fastening strips may be made from low density polyethylene.

When the fastening strips are used in a sealable bag, the fastening strips and the films that form the body of the bag may be conveniently manufactured from heat sealable material. In this way, the bag may be economically formed by using an aforementioned thermoplastic material and by heat sealing the fastening strips to the bag. For example, the bag may be made from a mixture of high pressure, low density polyethylene and linear, low density polyethylene.

The fastening strips may be manufactured by extrusion or other known methods. For example, the closure device may be manufactured as individual fastening strips for later attachment to the bag or may be manufactured integrally with the bag. In addition, the fastening strips may be manufactured with or without flange portions on one or both of the fastening strips depending upon the intended use of the fastening strips or expected additional manufacturing operations. The fastening strips can be manufactured in a variety of forms to suit the intended use. The fastening strips may be integrally formed on the opposing sidewalls of the container or bag, or connected to the container by the use of any of many known methods. For example, a thermoelectric device may be applied to a film in contact with the flange portion of the fastening strips or the thermoelectric device may be applied to a film in contact with the base portion of fastening strips having no flange portion, to cause a transfer of heat through the film to produce melting at the interface of the film and a flange portion or base portion of the fastening strips. Suitable thermoelectric devices include heated rotary discs, traveling heater bands, resistance-heated slide wires, and the like. The connection between the film and the fastening strips may also be established by the use of hot melt adhesives, hot jets of air to the interface, ultrasonic heating, or other known methods. The bonding of the fastening strips to the film stock may be carried out either before or after the film is U-folded to form the bag. In any event, such bonding is done prior to side sealing the bag at the edges by conventional thermal cutting. In addition, the first and second fastening strips may be positioned on opposite sides of the film. Such an embodiment would be suited for wrapping an object or a collection of objects such as wires. The first and second fastening strips should usually be positioned on the film in a generally parallel relationship with respect to each other, although this will depend on the intended use.

The slider may be multiple parts and snapped together. In addition, the slider may be made from multiple parts and fused or welded together. The slider may also be a one piece construction. The slider can be colored, opaque, translucent or transparent. The slider may be injection molded or made by any other method. The slider may be molded from any suitable plastic material, such as, nylon, polypropylene, polystyrene, acetal, toughened acetal, polyketone, polybutylene terrephthalate, high density polyethylene, polycarbonate or ABS

(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) .

From the foregoing it will be understood that modifications and variations may be effectuated to the disclosed structures — particularly in light of the foregoing teachings — without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. As such, no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments described and illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. In addition, all references and copending applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties .

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of assembling a slider onto fastening strips, the method comprising: providing first and second fastening strips, providing a slider adapted to be slidably disposed on the fastening strips and facilitating the occlusion of said fastening strips when moved in one direction and facilitating the deocclusion of the fastening strips when moved in the opposite direction, the fastening strips and the slider having a longitudinal X axis and a transverse Y axis, the transverse Y axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis, the fastening strips and the slider having a vertical Z axis, the vertical Z axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis, the vertical Z axis being perpendicular to the transverse Y axis; and providing a slider entry region on the fastening ^• strips; and moving the slider onto the slider entry region.

2. The invention as in claim 1 further comprising the step of moving the slider from the slider entry region to another location on the fastening strips.

3. The invention as in claim 2 further comprising the step of providing an end stop on the slider entry region.

4. The invention as in claim 3 wherein the end stop is formed by deforming the material of the slider entry region.

5. The invention as in claim 4 wherein the material is deformed in the Y axis.

6. The invention as in claim 4 wherein the material is deformed in the Z axis .

7. The invention as in claim 3 wherein the end stop is formed by attaching material to the slider entry region.

8. The invention as in claim 1 wherein the slider entry region is formed using tools prior to moving the slider onto the slider entry region.

9. The invention as in claim 1 wherein a slit is formed in one of the fastening strips.

10. The invention as in claim 2 wherein a separator on the slider aligns itself between the fastening strips.

11. The invention as in claim 1 wherein the slider entry region has a length, the slider has a slider length, the slider entry region length being equal to or greater than the slider length.

12. The invention as in claim 1 wherein the slider entry region has a length, the slider has slider shoulders with a slider shoulders length, the slider entry region length being equal to or greater than the slider shoulders length.

13. The invention as in claim 1 wherein the slider entry region has a width, the slider has a slot having a width, the slider entry region width being less than, equal to or greater than the slider slot width.

14. The invention as in claim 1 wherein the fastening strips comprise U-channel type fastening strips.

15. The invention as in claim 1 wherein the fastening strips comprise arrowhead type fastening strips.

16. The invention as in claim 1 wherein the fastening strips comprise profile type fastening strips .

17. The invention as in claim 1 wherein the fastening strips comprise rolling action type fastening strips.

18. A closure device, comprising: first and second interlocking fastening strips having a longitudinal X axis and a transverse Y axis, the transverse Y axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis, the fastening strips having a vertical Z axis, the vertical Z axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis, the vertical Z axis being perpendicular to the transverse Y axis, and the first and second interlocking fastening strips are arranged to be interlocked over the predetermined X axis; a slider slidably disposed on the fastening strips, the slider facilitating occlusion of the fastening strips when moved in one direction, the slider facilitating the deocclusion of the fastening strips when moved in the opposite direction; and a slider entry region on the fastening strips.

19. The invention as in claim 18 wherein the slider entry region has a length, the slider has a slider length, the slider entry region length being equal to or greater than the slider length.

20. The invention as in claim 18 wherein the slider entry region has a length, the slider has slider shoulders with a slider shoulders length, the slider entry region length being equal to or greater than the slider shoulders length.

21. The invention as in claim 18 wherein the slider entry region has a width, the slider has a slot having a width, the slider entry region width being less than, equal to or greater than the slider slot width.

22. The. invention as in claim 18 wherein the slider entry region is formed with tools prior to installation of the slider member.

23. The invention as in claim 18 wherein the slider entry region contains an end stop.

24. The invention as in claim 23 wherein the end stop is formed by adding material to the slider entry region.

25. The invention as in claim 23 wherein the end stop is a deformation of the existing material on the slider entry region.

26. A container comprising: first and second side walls joined to form a compartment with an opening; first and second interlocking fastening strips respectively connected to the first and second side walls at the opening, the fastening strips having a longitudinal X axis and a transverse Y axis, the transverse Y axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal

X axis, the fastening strips having a vertical Z axis, the vertical Z axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis, the vertical Z axis being perpendicular to the transverse Y axis, and the first and second interlocking fastening strips are arranged to be interlocked over the predetermined X axis; a slider slidably disposed on the fastening strips, the slider facilitating occlusion of the fastening strips when moved in one direction, the slider facilitating the deocclusion of the fastening strips when moved in the opposite direction; and a slider entry region on the fastening strips.