Internal gripping slider and method

Abstract

A slider device for use on the closure mechanism of a reclosable plastic bag to assist in opening and closing of the bag is disclosed. The closure mechanism has resealable profiles with track members and the slider device has a separator structure that grips the track members in opening and closing the profile lock members. The relationship between the separator device and the track members allows for easier opening and closing of the bag and removal of the slider from the bag more difficult. A method of manufacturing and using a reclosable bag having the slider device and closure mechanism is also disclosed.

1 . A slider for use on a reclosable bag, said slider comprising a top wall having a front portion, a middle portion, and a back portion, side walls depending from said top wall, said sidewalls having front end portions being spaced wider apart, middle portions curving inwardly toward said middle portion of said top wall, and back end portions being spaced sufficiently close together, and a separator structure depending from said top wall and extending between said side walls, said separator structure having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, said horizontal portion being substantially wedge-shaped wherein said horizontal portion is wider toward said front portion of said top wall and narrower toward said back portion of said top wall, said horizontal portion situated for gripping track members and separating and sealing lock members on a resealable closure mechanism of said reclosable bag, said resealable closure mechanism including a first closure profile and a second closure profile, said first closure profile having an upper plane with a track member, a lock member below said track member, and a guide post below said lock member, said second closure profile having a second upper plane with a track member, a first guide post below said track member, a lock member below said guide post, and a second guide post below said lock member.  
     
     
         2 . A slider for use on a reclosable bag according to  claim 1  wherein said first closure profile is parallel to said second closure profile.  
     
     
         3 . A slider for use on a reclosable bag according to  claim 1  wherein said first profile track member, said first profile lock member, and said first profile guide post are parallel to each other.  
     
     
         4 . A slider for use on a reclosable bag according to  claim 1  wherein said second profile track member, said second profile first guide post, said second profile lock member, and said second profile second guide post are parallel to each other.  
     
     
         5 . A reclosable bag comprising: 
 a surrounding wall having a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge extending between the first and second side edges, and a mouth between the first and second side edges, said mouth providing access to a bag interior;    a reclosable closure mechanism along said mouth for selective opening and closing of said mouth, said closure mechanism including first and second closure profiles, said first closure profile having a first upper plane with a first track member, a first lock member below said first track member, and a guide post below said first lock member, said second closure profile having a second upper plane with a second track member, a first guide post below said second track member, a second lock member below said first guide post, and a second guide post below said second lock member.    a slider device operably mounted on said closure mechanism for selectively opening and closing said closure mechanism, said slider comprising a top wall having a front portion, a middle portion, and a back portion, side walls depending from said top wall, said sidewalls having front end portions being spaced wider apart, middle portions curving inwardly toward said middle portion of said top wall, and back end portions being spaced sufficiently close together, and a separator structure depending from said top wall and extending between said side walls, said separator structure having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, said horizontal portion being substantially wedge-shaped wherein said horizontal portion is wider toward said front portion of said top wall and narrower toward said back portion of said top wall, said horizontal portion situated for gripping said first and second track members and separating and sealing said first and second lock members on said closure mechanism of said reclosable bag.    
     
     
         6 . A reclosable bag according to  claim 5  wherein said said first closure profile is parallel to said second closure profile.  
     
     
         7 . A reclosable bag according to  claim 5  wherein said first track member, said first lock member, and said guide post are parallel to each other.  
     
     
         8 . A slider for use on a reclosable bag according to  claim 5  wherein said second track member, said first guide post, said second lock member, and said second guide post are parallel to each other.  
     
     
         9 . A reclosable bag according to  claim 5  wherein each of said first and second upper planes define a notch adjacent to said first side edge for applying said slider device to said reclosable closure mechanism.  
     
     
         10 . A reclosable bag comprising: 
 a surrounding wall having a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge extending between the first and second side edges, and a mouth between the first and second side edges, said mouth providing access to a bag interior;    a resealable closure mechanism along said mouth for selective opening and closing of said mouth, said closure mechanism including first and second closure profiles, said first closure profile having a first upper plane with a first track member, a first lock member below said first track member, and a guide post below said first lock member, said second closure profile having a second upper plane with a second track member, a first guide post below said second track member, a second lock member below said first guide post, and a second guide post below said second lock member    a slider device operably mounted on said closure mechanism for selectively opening and closing said closure mechanism, said slider comprising a top wall having a front portion, a middle portion, and a back portion, side walls depending from said top wall, said sidewalls having back end portions being spaced wider apart, middle portions curving inwardly toward said middle portion of said top wall, and back end portions being spaced sufficiently close together, and a separator structure depending from said top wall and extending between said side walls, said separator structure having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, said horizontal portion being substantially wedge-shaped wherein said horizontal portion is wider toward said front portion of said top wall and narrower toward said back portion of said top wall, said horizontal portion situated for gripping said first and second track members and separating and sealing said first and second lock members on said closure mechanism of said reclosable bag.    each of said first and second upper planes defining a notch adjacent to said first side edge for fitting said slider device such that said first and second upper planes conform to said slider device when said slider device is positioned within said notch.    
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a reclosable bag, the method comprising: 
 providing a bag having a resealable closure mechanism, said resealable closure mechanism having a first closure profile and a second closure profile, said first closure profile having a first upper plane and said second closure profile having a second upper plane, each of said first and second upper planes defining a notch; and    orienting a slider device on the resealable closure mechanism to interlock the first closure profile with the second closure profile when the slider device is moved in a first direction, and to disengage the first closure profile from the second closure profile when the slider device is moved in a second opposite direction, said notch being oriented to trap the first and second upper planes between portions of the slider device when said slider device is moved in said first direction.    
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein said notch is positioned adjacent to a side edge of said bag.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the step of orienting includes positioning said slider device within said notch to trap said first and second upper planes between a separator structure on the slider device and a respective sidewall of the slider device.  
     
     
         14 . A method of using a reclosable bag having a resealable closure mechanism and a slider device; the bag having a pair of side edges and a top edge defining a mouth extending between said side edges, the method comprising: 
 providing a resealable closure mechanism having a first closure profile having a first upper plane and a second closure profile having a second upper plane, each of said first and second upper planes defining a notch, said first closure profile having a first track member, a first lock member below said first track member, and a guide post below said first lock member, said second closure profile having a second track member, a first guide post below said second track member, a second lock member below said first guide post, and a second guide post below said second lock member, said resealable closure mechanism having an open position and a closed position, said closed position including said first and second profiles being interlocked and said open position including said first and second profiles being unlocked;    providing said slider device comprising a top wall having a front portion, a middle portion, and a back portion, side walls depending from said top wall, said sidewalls having front end portions being spaced wider apart, middle portions curving inwardly toward said middle portion of said top wall, and back end portions being spaced sufficiently close together, and a separator structure depending from said top wall and extending between said side walls, said separator structure having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, said horizontal portion being substantially wedge-shaped wherein said horizontal portion is wider toward said front portion of said top wall and narrower toward said back portion of said top wall, said horizontal portion situated for gripping said first and second track members and separating and sealing said first and second lock members on said closure mechanism of said reclosable bag; and    moving said slider device along said resealable closure mechanism to transform said resealable closure mechanism from said open position to said closed position.    positioning said slider device within said notch such that said first and second upper planes conform to said slider device.    
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14  further comprising moving said slider device along said resealable closure mechanism from said closed position to said open position to provide access to an interior of said bag.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein said step of positioning the slider device within said notch includes trapping said first upper plane between said first sidewall of said slider device and said separator structure of said slider device and trapping said second upper plane between said second sidewall of said slider device and said separator structure of said slider device.