Slider zipper with hinged secondary locking profile

Abstract

The zipper assembly for a reclosable package or bag includes a zipper with exterior interlocking elements and flanges, and typically includes a slider. Additionally, a hinged secondary zipper formed from interior interlocking elements. A first interior interlocking element is hinged by an interior flange with respect to the first flange while the second interior interlocking element is attached to the second flange. The hinging of the secondary zipper causes forces or loads from within the reclosable package or bag to configure the secondary zipper in a shear configuration, rather than a peeling configuration, thereby increasing the interior burst strength of the package or bag.

1 . A zipper assembly for a reclosable package, including:
 a first profile with a first flange and a first exterior interlocking element;   a second profile with a second flange and a second exterior interlocking element;   a secondary zipper including a first interior interlocking element and a second interior interlocking element;   an interior flange joining the first interlocking element to an interior face of the first flange; and   the second interior interlocking element joined to an interior face of the second flange.   
   
   
       2 . The zipper assembly of  claim 1  wherein a load on the first and second flanges applies a shear force to the secondary zipper. 
   
   
       3 . The zipper assembly of  claim 1  wherein a load on the first and second flanges is redirected away from the secondary zipper to a location above the secondary zipper. 
   
   
       4 . The zipper assembly of  claim 1  further including a slider mounted on the first and second profiles, whereby movement of the slider in an opening direction separates the first and second exterior interlocking elements from each other and movement of the slider in a closing direction interlocks the first and second exterior interlocking elements together. 
   
   
       5 . The zipper assembly of  claim 1  wherein the secondary zipper is a press-to-close zipper. 
   
   
       6 . The zipper assembly of  claim 2  wherein the interior flange is joined to an interior of the first flange proximate to the first exterior interlocking element. 
   
   
       7 . The zipper assembly of  claim 6  wherein the first profile, the interior flange and the first interior interlocking element are extruded as a first single piece. 
   
   
       8 . The zipper assembly of  claim 7  wherein the second profile and the second interior interlocking element are extruded as a second single piece. 
   
   
       9 . The zipper assembly of  claim 2  wherein the interior flange is joined to an interior of the first flange adjacent to the secondary zipper. 
   
   
       10 . The zipper assembly of  claim 9  wherein the first profile, the interior flange and the first interior interlocking element are simultaneously extruded as a first single piece. 
   
   
       11 . The zipper assembly of  claim 10  wherein the second profile and the second interior interlocking element are extruded as a second single piece. 
   
   
       12 . The zipper assembly of  claim 9  further including a stem between the first interior interlocking element and the interior flange. 
   
   
       13 . The zipper assembly of  claim 12  wherein the first profile, the interior flange, the stem and the first interior interlocking element are simultaneously extruded as a first single piece. 
   
   
       14 . The zipper assembly of  claim 13  wherein the second profile and the second interior interlocking element are extruded as a second single piece. 
   
   
       15 . A zipper assembly for a reclosable package, including:
 a first profile with a first exterior flange and a first exterior interlocking element;   a second profile with a second exterior flange and a second exterior interlocking element;   a secondary zipper including a first interior interlocking element attached to an interior of the first flange by a first interior flange and a second interior interlocking element attached to an interior of the second flange by a second interior flange.   
   
   
       16 . The zipper assembly of  claim 15  wherein the first profile, the first interior flange and the first interior interlocking element are simultaneously extruded as a first single piece. 
   
   
       17 . The zipper assembly of  claim 16  wherein the second profile, the second interior flange and the second interior interlocking element are simultaneously extruded as a second single piece. 
   
   
       18 . The zipper assembly of  claim 15  further including a slider mounted on the first and second profiles, whereby movement of the slider in an opening direction separates the first and second exterior interlocking elements from each other and movement of the slider in a closing direction interlocks the first and second exterior interlocking elements together. 
   
   
       19 . The zipper assembly of  claim 15  wherein the first interior interlocking element is one of a male and female profile and the second interior interlocking element is another of a male and a female profile. 
   
   
       20 . The zipper assembly of  claim 15  further including a stem formed between the second interior flange and the second exterior flange.