US3213504A

US3213504A - Slider

Info

Publication number: US3213504A
Application number: US220824A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ausnit Steven
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-08-31
Filing date: 1962-08-31
Publication date: 1965-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 1982-10-26
Also published as: GB1036455A

Description

Oct. 26, 1965 s. AUsNlT 3,213,504

SLIDER Filed Aug. 31, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l [lll S. AUSNIT Oct. 26, 1965 SLIDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 3l, 1962 United States Patent O 3,213,504 SLIDER Steven Ausnit, 124 E. 61st St., New York, N.Y. Filed Aug. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 220,824 7 Claims. (Cl. 243-201) The present invention relates to improvements in flexible fastener strips of the type which attach to the top of 4a bag for closing and reopening the bag, and particularly to an improved slider for strips of the hinged type.

In hinged fastener strips first and second strips are provided each with a web portion for attaching to the top edges of a bag, and marginal portions. The marginal portions have interlocking rib and groove elements on their facing surfaces which interlock when the marginal portions are pressed together and separate when the marginal portions are forcibly drawn apart. In a hinged fastener the marginal portion of the second strip is attached to its web portion by -a laterally extending integral hinge portion.

In providing a slider for fastener strips of various types and of the hinged type as above described it is necessary that the slider be capable of moving along the strips without inadvertently moving or jumping off of the edge of the strips. It is also desirous that the slider be movable with a minimum of elfort and not catch or bind in transversing the strips in either a closing or an opening direction. It is also desirous that the slider be made out of a strong material with the use of a minimum of material and with parts that can be `formed conveniently by a bending operation in order to reduce the complexity of making the slider and the cost of manufacture thereof.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of a slider for flexible fastener strips, having a back portion and downwardly bent sides for straddling the strips. A feature of the invention resides in the sides being parallel rather than tapered toward each other. The slider has a separator finger for separating the strips when moved in an opening direction. In accordance with the structure, only one side of the slider is bent inwardly in a flange at its lower edge and the other side does not have to be turned in since the slider is held on the strips and in an oriented position by use of the separator iin-ger. The separator finger is turned laterally beneath the marginal portion which is hingedly attached to its web portion, and additionally has .a sliding blade which travels between the marginal portion and web portion.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved slider for hinged fastener strips wherein the slider is of simplified construction permitting one side of the slider to be plain, and wherein the slider is stably held on the strips without danger of being inadvertently removed therefrom, and wherein the slider is reliably held in an oriented linear position as it moves in either direction along the strips.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved slider for a hinged fastener wherein the slider has simple planar parallel surfaces and is simpler and less expensive to manufacture than sliders heretofore available.

An important object of the invention is to provide a slider wherein the sides for locking fastener strips are parallel instead of tapered.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastener with parallel sides and an ear which juts out at an angle from one of the sides to extend the area available for grasping the slider.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a slider for hinged fastener strips which permits making a heavier shoulder on the unhinged portion of the fastener 3,213,504 Patented Oct. 26, 1965 ice strip along with a deeper flange or bend beneath the side of the slider `for riding beneath the marginal portion to insure better retention of the slider on the strips.

Other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent with the teaching of the principles of the invention in connection with the disclosure of the preferred embodiments thereof in the speciiication, claims and drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a slider constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of fastener strips secured to a bag with the strips being of the hinged construction used with the slider;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line III-III of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line IV-IV of FIGURE 1 at the closing end of the slider;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line V-V of FIGURE l at the opening end of the slider;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of another form of slider embodying thev principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VII-VII of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line VIII-VIII of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 9 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line IX-IX of FIGURE 6.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a slider 10 for closing or opening the flexible closure strips 11 and 12 of FIGURE 2. The closure strips are illustrated as mounted at the top of a pouch or bag 13 having side walls 14 and 15 to provide an opening at the top, and the closure strips 11 and 12 will seal the bag during storage, and are separable for access to the bag contents. The bag may be formed of a ilexible plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene. The strips are formed of a similar plastic material and are bonded such as by heat sealing to the material of the bag.

Suitable materials for the manufacture of the closure strips 11 and 12 include the thermoplastic yand thermosetting organic synthetic resins, and the strips are commonly transparent or translucent colorless plastic. Of particular importance for this use are the vinyl type resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride-polyvinyl `acetate copolymers, and similar vinyl resins, and polyethylene. Rubber, either natural or synthetic, is not a preferred material since, in the case of rubber, it is more diflicult to control the degree of rigidity for interlocking engagement between the strips. However, by proper compounding and vulcanizing the rubber, the degree of rigidity can `be controlled to make rubber acceptable for purposes of the instant invention.

The fastener or closure strips 11 and 12 include web portions 16 and 17 for attachment to the bag, and

marginal portions

18 and 19. On the confronting faces of the marginal portions are rib and groove elements as illustrated by the ribs 20 on the marginal portion 18, which are hook-shaped and interlock in coacting mating grooves 22 in the marginal portion 19. The marginal portion 19 similarly has hook-shaped rib portions 21 which interlock in grooves 23 in the marginal portion 18. The strips are formed of a resilient material so that lateral forces will cause the ribs and grooves to interlock, and when the strips are forcibly pried apart by the slider separator nger the ribs and grooves will separate.

In the hinged type of flexible fastener illustrated, the marginal portion 19 is hingedly attached to its web portion 17 by a laterally extending hinge portion 24. The hinge portion is integral with the web and groove portions and is located above the longitudinal centerline of the marginal portion 19. Surfaces of the marginal portion 19 and web portion 17 confront each other in a space 25.

The marginal portion 1S is integral with its Web portion 16 at the base of the marginal portion, and the marginal portion provides a downwardly facing shoulder 26.

A slider 10, as illustrated in FIGURES l and 3 through 5, has a back 27 with downwardly bent or turned

sides

28 and 29. The slider 10 is preferably integral and made from one piece of sheet metal with the elements being cut and bent therefrom, It will of course be understood that the slider can be made by other methods such as being molded or cast and formed of a hard material. The slider however is well adapted to a simple construction with planar surfaces and can be readily cut and bent from sheet metal.

The

sides

28 and 29 have planar inner surfaces which taper toward each other at a closing end C of the slider and slidably engage the outer surface of the strips 11 and 12 when the slider is moved in a closing direction. This forces the rib and groove elements together to interlocking position.

The side 28 is bent inwardly at its lower end with a retaining ilange 30. This flange can be made quite deep and Slides beneath the shoulder 26 of the strip 11. The second side 29 has no retaining flange and terminates in a plain edge 31. The flange 30 is shown as provided with a beveled leading edge 32 which tapers outwardly toward the side 28 facing the opening end O of the slider.

The back 27 is provided with an extension 33 at the opening end O ofthe slider and a finger 34 is bent laterally downwardly from the material of the extension 33 so that it has planar side surfaces extending linearly parallel to the direction of movement of the slider.

At its lower end, the finger is bent inwardly in a lateral portion 35 which projects beneath a surface or shoulder 35a below the marginal portion 19. A vertical blade portion 36 is bent upwardly from the edge of the lateral portion 35 and this blade portion 36 slides in the space 25, FIGURE 5. This lateral portion 35 and blade 36 holds the slider in its linearly oriented position, and 'is located out linearly ahead of the slider to stably and accurately position the slider. Thus the slider is stabilized in a lateral `direction by the finger 34 and the blade portion 36 on the one hand, and in a longitudinal direction by the lateral portion 35 and the extension 33 on the other hand, since these face in opposition to each other and ride on each of the sides of the marginal portion 19. This avoids the necessity of providing a lateral flange on the edge 31 of the second side 29 of the slider. This also makes possible a wide flange 30, on the side 28. Finally, this makes possible a method of very reliably holding the slider on the strips and avoiding accidental dislodging.

In summary, as the slider is moved in a closing direction the

strips

18 and 19 are fed between the

sides

28 and 29 which cam the strips together and cause the rib and groove elements to interlock. When the strip is moved in an opening direction, the finger 34 forces the strips apart to separate them. The closing end C, with the back 27 and

sides

28 and 29, as well as the .flange 30 surround the strips from four sides stabilizing the position of the slider at one end. The opening end O surrounds the strips from four sides as the extension 33, the nger 34, the lateral portion 35 and the blade portion 36, engage the strips from four sides stabilizing the slider at the opening end. Thus channels are provided at each end engaging the strips with planar surfaces stabilizing and orienting the position of the slider and holding it on the strips.

A reinforced ridge 33a can be punched into the extension 33 to strengthen the rigidity of this extension.

FIGURES 6 through 9 illustrate a slider 40 which has -a back portion 41 with downwardly extending

sides

42 and 43. The slider is formed of one piece and preferably is constructed of sheet metal cut and shaped as illustrated. The surfaces are each planar and the slider 4) presents a strong easily manufactured unit.

The

sides

42 and 43 are parallel to each other and the inner surfaces which slide along the strips are parallel. This provides a stabilizing channel or conduit which engages the strips from four directions aiding and orienting and holding the slider in linear alignment and preventing the slider from inadvertently coming off of the strips. Making the sides parallel instead of tapering toward each other considerably facilitates the manufacture and production of the slider.

At the lower edge of the side 42 is a horizontal inwardly bent ilange 44. This flange can be provided of substantial depth for riding beneath the shoulder 26 of the strips, as illustrated in FIGURE 8. The construction which permits the second side 43 to be straight without an inturned flange at its lower end, permits the provision of a deeper shoulder 26 and therefore a deeper ilange 44 and therefore a better retention of the fastener strips.

For channeling the strips together as the slider is moved in a closing direction, a camming plate or ear 45 extends outwardly from the side 42. This ear 45 extends the area of the side 42 that is available for grasping the slider.

The retaining flange 44 is beveled along its leading edge 46 approximately in alignment with the ear 45, as shown in FIGURE 7 to accommodate entry of the strip 1S into the slider.

The back section 41 is provided with an extension 47, and the side 43 extends linearly at 48. These extensions provide stabilizing surfaces for sliding along the strip 19 and for supporting the slider as it channels the strip 18 into .interlocking engagement with the strip 19.

A separating linger 49 is bent downwardly from the back extension 47 to slide between the strips for separating them when the slider is moved in an opening direction, as illustrated in FIGURE 9. The ilnger is bent laterally in a retaining tab 50 which slides beneath the marginal portion 19 of the strip 12. Thus the strip 19 is engaged from four sides at the opening end O of the slider to aid in orienting its position, and the `tab 50 also aids in preventing the slider from inadvertently being lifted off of the strips.

Thus it will be seen that the arrangement of FIGURES 6 through 9 provides a slider which meets the objectives and advantages above set forth, and the slider is provided with parallel walls with only one of the slider walls or sides turned in at the bottom thereby allowing for a simpler method of manufacture and for better holding qualities of the slider on the strips.

The drawings and specification present a detailed disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific forms disclosed, but covers all modifications, changes and alternative constructions and methods falling within the scope of the principles taught by the invention,

I claim as my invention:

1. A ilexible closure comprising first and second fastener strips each having a web portion and an attached marginal portion with releasably interlocking rib and groove elements on the facing surfaces of the marginal portions and with the marginal portion of the second strip attached to its web portion by a laterally extending integral hinge portion, a slider for the strips including a back with downturned first and second sides having inner planar surfaces tapering together toward a closing end of the slider for interlocking the rib and groove elements, an inturned flange at the lower edge of the rst side extending beneath the marginal portion of the first strip, said second side being free of inturned flanges, an extension on the back projecting towards the opening end of the slider, downturned finger having planar side surfaces for separating the strips, a lateral portion at the lower edge of the linger extending beneath the marginal portion of the second strip, and a blade extending upwardly from the lateral portion between the marginal and web portions of the second strip.

2. A exible closure comprising,

first and second fastener strips each having a web portion and an attached marginal portion with releasably interlocking rib and groove elements on the facing surfaces of the marginal portions and with the marginal portion of the second strip alongside its web portion and attached to its web portion by a laterally extending integral hinge portion,

a slider for the strips including a back with downturned first and second sides having inner planar surfaces spaced for interlocking the rib and groove elements,

said slider having an opening end and a closing end,

an extension on the back projecting beyond said opening end of the slider,

a downturned linger on said extension,

and a lateral portion at the lower edge of the finger extending beneath the marginal portion of the second strip slidably engaging the lower edge of the marginal portion stabilizing the opening end of the slider.

3. A flexible closure comprising,

first and second lfastener strips each having a web portion and an attached marginal portion with releasably interlocking rib and groove elements on the facing surfaces of the marginal portions and with the marginal portion of the second strip alongside its web portion and attached to its web portion by a laterally extending integral hinge portion,

said slider having an opening end and a closing end,

said inner planar surfaces of the first and second sides tapering together toward the closing end of the slider,

an extension on the back projecting beyond said opening end of the slider,

a downturned finger on said extension,

4. A fiexible closure comprising,

said slider having an opening end and a closing end,

said downturned first and second sides being parallel with said inner planar surfaces being spaced apart a substantially uniform distance from the opening end to the closing end,

an extension on the back projecting beyond said opening end of the slider,

a downturned finger on said extension,

5. A flexible closure comprising,

said slider having an opening end and a closing end,

an inturned fiange at the lower end of the first side extending beneath the marginal portion of the first strip,

a bevelled leading edge on said flange at the opening end of the slider,

an extension on the back projecting beyond said opening end of the slider,

a downturned finger on said extension,

6. A flexible closure comprising,

lirst and second fastener strips each having a web portion and an attached marginal portion with releasably interlocking rib and groove elements on the facing surfaces of the marginal portions and with the marginal portion of the second strip alongside its web portion and attached to its web portion by a laterally extending integral hinge portion,

said slider having an opening end and a closing end,

and an ear on said first side at the opening end of the slider projecting angularly laterally outwardly and forwardly for guiding the first strip between the sides of the slider,

an extension on the back projecting beyond said opening end of the slider,

a downturned finger on said extension,

7. A fiexible closure comprising,

said slider having an opening end and a closing end,

an extension on the back projecting beyond said opening end of the slider,

a downturned finger on said extension,

a lateral portion at the lower edge of the linger extending beneath the marginal portion of the second strip slidably engaging the lower edge of the marginal 3,074,137 portion stabilizing the opening end of the slider, 3,115,689 and a vertical portion extending upwardly from the lateral portion between the marginal and web portions of the second strip. 5 5 64,633 1,034,230 References Cited by the Examiner 1,072,065

UNITED STATES PATENTS Statham 313,16*; 1,703,712 2/29 Aug 24-2013 10 1,959,319 5/34 Sipe 24-20l.3 2,764,793 10/56 Sander 24-20L3 FOREIGN PATENTS Belgium. France. France.

Great Britain. Switzerland. Switzerland.

DONLEY I. STOCKING, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A FLEXIBLE CLOSURE COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND FASTENER STRIPS EACH HAVING A WEB PORTION AND AN ATTACHED MARGINAL PORTION WITH RELEASABLY INTERLOCKING RIB AND GROOVE ELEMENTS ON THE FACING SURFACES OF THE MARGINAL PORTIONS AND WITH THE MARGINAL PORTION OF THE SECOND STRIP ATTACHED TO ITS WEB PORTION BY A LATERALLY EXTENDING INTEGRAL HINGE PORTION, A SLIDER FOR THE STRIPS INCLUDING A BACK WITH DOWNTURNED FIRST AND SECOND SIDES HAVING INNER PLANAR SURFACES TAPERING TOGETHER TOWARD A CLOSING END OF THE SLIDER FOR INTERLOCKING THE RIB AND GROOVE ELEMENTS, AN INTURNED FLANGE AT THE LOWER EDGE OF THE FIRST SIDE EXTENDING BENEATH THE MARGINAL PORTION OF THE FIRST STRIP, SAID SECOND SIDE BEING FREE OF INTURNED FLANGES, AN EXTENSION ON THE BACK PROJECTING TOWARDS THE OPENING END OF THE SLIDER, A DOWNTURNED FINGER HAVING PLANAR SIDE SURFACES FOR SEPARATING THE STRIPS, A LATERAL PORTION AT THE LOWER EDGE OF THE FINGER EXTENDING BENEATH THE MARGINAL PORTION OF THE SECOND STRIP, AND A BLADE EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE LATERAL PORTION BETWEEN THE MARGINAL AND WEB PORTIONS OF THE SECOND STRIP.