Slider bag with zipper closure

Abstract

A reclosable fastener assembly comprising a slider having one center leg and two extensions or bumps behind the center leg. The center leg extends downward from the top surface. The top surface does not extend all the way to, but terminates a short distance from, the separator end of the slider. Similarly, the center leg is not at, but terminates a short distance from, the edge of the top surface closest to the separating end of the slider. As a result, the center leg is spaced a short distance from the separator end of the slider.

1 . A slider bag with zipper closure comprising:
 A) a zipper closure, wherein said zipper closure comprises:
 i) a first opposing zipper strip having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 ii) a second opposing zipper strip having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 iii) a first set of four rails comprising a top rail at the top of the first opposing zipper strip, a second top hook underneath the top rail, a second bottom hook underneath the second top hook, and a second lower stabilizing rail underneath the second bottom hook, wherein the top rail, the second top hook, and the second bottom hook are positioned along the length of the inner surface of the first opposing zipper strip, and the second lower stabilizing rail is positioned along the length of the outer surface of the first opposing zipper strip; and 
 iv) a second set of four rails comprising a first top hook at the top of the second opposing zipper strip and underneath the top rail, a first bottom hook underneath the first top hook, a first bottom rail underneath the first bottom hook, and a first lower stabilizing rail underneath the first bottom hook, wherein the first top hook, the first bottom hook, and the first bottom rail are positioned along the length of the inner surface of the second opposing zipper strip, and the first lower stabilizing rail is positioned along the length of the outer surface of the second opposing zipper strip; wherein the second top and bottom hooks of the first set of four rails being adapted to engage with the first top and bottom hooks of the second set of four rails, thereby interlocking the first opposing zipper strip with the second opposing zipper strip and creating four points of contact along the zipper closure; and 
   B) a slider for moving between a closed position and an open position along the first and second opposing zipper strips in straddling relation, the slider having a top surface and first and second side walls extending substantially perpendicularly from opposite sides of the top surface for receiving the first and second sets of four rails therebetween, the first and second side walls extending downward from the top of the first and second opposing zipper strips to a point at or below the first and second lower stabilizing rails, the first and second side walls extending from a separator end of the slider to a connecting end, the first and second side walls being spaced close enough at the connecting end to press the first and second opposing zipper strips into an interlocked relationship as the slider is moved toward the closed position, the slider having a center leg extending substantially perpendicularly from the top surface and between the first and second side walls at the separator end of the slider, the center leg extending between at least the first and second top hooks, wherein:
 (i) the top surface does not extend all the way to, but terminates a short distance from, an inner edge of one of two arms of each of the side walls at the separator end; and 
 (ii) the edge of the center leg adjacent the separator end is not at, but terminates a short distance from, the edge of the top surface adjacent to the separator end. 
   
     
     
         2 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 1  wherein the first and second opposing zipper strips are joined at a first and second pressed end to create a stop for the slider. 
     
     
         3 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 2  wherein the stop has a substantially smooth surface. 
     
     
         4 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 1  wherein the center leg extends between at least the first and second bottom hooks and terminates at a point above the bottom rail. 
     
     
         5 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second top and bottom hooks hold the first and second opposing zipper strips together such that when the slider is in the closed position, the first and second top and bottom hooks are interlocked throughout their entire length. 
     
     
         6 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second pressed ends create a stop and hold the first and second top and bottom hooks together such that when the slider is in the closed position, the first and second top and bottom hooks are interlocked throughout their entire length. 
     
     
         7 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second lower stabilizing rails maintain the slider in straddling relation with the first and second opposing zipper strips. 
     
     
         8 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 7 , wherein the two arms extend from each end of the first and second side walls toward and are congruent with the two arms of the second side wall and form approximately a 90 degree angle relative to the first and second side walls whereby the profile of each of the first and second side walls forms three sides of a rectangle. 
     
     
         9 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second side walls are substantially straight. 
     
     
         10 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 8 , wherein the two arms of the first and second side walls further maintain the slider in straddling relation to the first and second opposing zipper strips, and wherein the lower stabilizing rails form a track along the length of the zipper closure such that the two arms at each end of the first and second side walls grasp the slider bag below the ridge. 
     
     
         11 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 1 , the slider further comprising a pair of extensions having a connected end and a free end extending substantially perpendicularly from the top surface and substantially perpendicular to and between the first and second side walls behind the center leg, wherein the free ends of each of the extensions are spaced apart, and wherein the space between the free ends of each of the extensions is equal to or greater than the width of the center leg, and wherein the extensions straddle both of the first and second opposing zipper strips. 
     
     
         12 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 11 , wherein the space between the free ends of the extensions acts to pinch the first and second opposing zipper strips together and force the first and second top and bottom hooks into an interlocked position when the slider is moved to the closed position, and wherein the center leg disengages the first and second top and bottom hooks into a separated position when the slider is moved to the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 8 , wherein the edge of the top surface does not extend all the way to, but terminates a short distance from, an inner edge of an arm of the first and second side walls at the separator end. 
     
     
         14 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 8 , wherein the edge of the top surface terminates between 2.5 mm and 3.0 mm from an inner edge of an arm of the first and second side walls at the separator end and the edge of the center leg adjacent to the separator end terminates between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm from a separator edge. 
     
     
         15 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 8 , wherein the edge of the center leg adjacent to the separator end terminates a short distance from the edge of the top surface adjacent to the separator end. 
     
     
         16 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 8 , wherein the edge of the top surface terminates approximately 2.8 mm from an inner edge of an arm of the first and second side walls at the separator end and the edge of the center leg adjacent to the separator end terminates approximately 0.4 mm from a separator edge. 
     
     
         17 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 16 , wherein the edge of the center leg adjacent the separator end is at least 3 mm from the edge of the top surface adjacent the separator end. 
     
     
         18 . The slider bag with zipper closure of  claim 1 , wherein he first and second top and bottom hooks extend inward from the first and second opposing zipper strips, form an angle of approximately 60 degrees on a first bottom side and of approximately 120 degrees on a first top side relative to the inner surfaces of the opposing zipper strips, and form a vertex at the intersection of the first and second top and bottom hooks with the inner surfaces of the first and second opposing zipper strips. 
     
     
         19 . A slider bag with zipper closure comprising:
 A) a zipper closure, wherein said zipper closure comprises:
 i) a first opposing zipper strip having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 ii) a second opposing zipper strip having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 iii) a first set of four rails comprising a top rail at the top of the first opposing zipper strip, a second top hook underneath the top rail, a second bottom hook underneath the second top hook, and a second lower stabilizing rail underneath the second bottom hook, wherein the top rail, the second top hook, and the second bottom hook are positioned along the length of the inner surface of the first opposing zipper strip, and the second lower stabilizing rail is positioned along the length of the outer surface of the first opposing zipper strip; and 
 iv) a second set of four rails comprising a first top hook at the top of the second opposing zipper strip and underneath the top rail, a first bottom hook underneath the first top hook, a first bottom rail underneath the first bottom hook, and a first lower stabilizing rail underneath the first bottom hook, wherein the first top hook, the first bottom hook, and the first bottom rail are positioned along the length of the inner surface of the second opposing zipper strip, and the first lower stabilizing rail is positioned along the length of the outer surface of the second opposing zipper strip, wherein the second top and bottom hooks of the first set of four rails being adapted to engage with the first top and bottom hooks of the second set of four rails, thereby interlocking the first opposing zipper strip with the second opposing zipper strip and creating four points of contact along the zipper closure, and wherein the first and second top and bottom hooks extending inwardly from the first and second opposing zipper strips, and forming an angle of approximately 60 degrees on a first bottom side and of approximately 120 degrees on a first top side relative to the inner surfaces of the opposing zipper strips, and forming a vertex at the intersection of the first and second top and bottom hooks with the inner surfaces of the first and second opposing zipper strips; and 
   B) a slider for moving between a closed position and an open position along the first and second opposing zipper strips in straddling relation, the slider having a top surface and first and second side walls extending substantially perpendicularly from opposite sides of the top surface for receiving the first and second sets of four rails therebetween, the first and second side walls extending downward from the top of the first and second opposing zipper strips to a point at or below the first and second lower stabilizing rails, the first and second side walls extending from a separator end of the slider to a connecting end, the first and second side walls being spaced close enough at the connecting end to press the first and second opposing zipper strips into an interlocked relationship as the slider is moved toward the closed position, the slider having a center leg extending substantially perpendicularly from the top surface and between the first and second side walls at the separator end of the slider, the center leg extending between at least the first and second top hook, wherein:
 (i) the top surface does not extend all the way to, but terminates a short distance from, an inner edge of one of two arms of each of the side walls at the separator end; and 
 (ii) the edge of the center leg adjacent the separator end is not at, but terminates a short distance from, the edge of the top surface adjacent to the separator end. 
   
     
     
         20 . A slider bag with a zipper closure comprising:
 A) a zipper closure, wherein said zipper closure comprises:
 i) a first opposing zipper strip having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
   ii) a second opposing zipper strip having an inner surface and an outer surface;
 iii) a first set of four rails comprising a top rail at the top of the first opposing zipper strip, a second top hook underneath the top rail, a second bottom hook underneath the second top hook, and a second lower stabilizing rail underneath the second bottom hook, wherein the top rail, the second top hook, and the second bottom hook are positioned along the length of the inner surface of the first opposing zipper strip, and the second lower stabilizing rail is positioned along the length of the outer surface of the first opposing zipper strip; and 
 iv) a second set of four rails comprising a first top hook at the top of the second opposing zipper strip and underneath the top rail, a first bottom hook underneath the first top hook, a first bottom rail underneath the first bottom hook, and a first lower stabilizing rail underneath the first bottom hook, wherein the first top hook, the first bottom hook, and the first bottom rail are positioned along the length of the inner surface of the second opposing zipper strip, and the first lower stabilizing rail is positioned along the length of the outer surface of the second opposing zipper strip; wherein the second top and bottom hooks of the first set of four rails being adapted to engage with the first top and bottom hooks of the second set of four rails, thereby interlocking the first opposing zipper strip with the second opposing zipper strip and creating four points of contact along the zipper closure; 
   B) a slider for moving between a closed position and an open position along the first and second opposing zipper strips in straddling relation, the slider having a top surface and first and second side walls extending substantially perpendicularly from opposite sides of the top surface for receiving the first and second sets of four rails therebetween, the first and second side walls extending downward from the top of the first and second opposing zipper strips to a point at or below the first and second lower stabilizing rails, the first and second side walls extending from a separator end of the slider to a connecting end, the first and second side walls being spaced close enough at the connecting end to press the first and second opposing zipper strips into an interlocked relationship as the slider is moved toward the closed position, the slider having a center leg extending substantially perpendicularly from the top surface and between the first and second side walls at the separator end of the slider, the center leg extending between at least the first and second top hooks;   C) two arms extending from each end of the first and second side walls, wherein the two arms of the first side wall extend toward and are congruent with the two arms of the second side wall and form approximately a 90 degree angle relative to the first and second side walls whereby the profile of each of the first and second side walls forms three sides of a rectangle; and   D) a pair of extensions having a connected end and a free end extending substantially perpendicularly from the top surface and substantially perpendicular to and between the first and second side walls behind the center leg, wherein the free ends of each of the extensions are spaced apart;   wherein the edge of the top surface terminates approximately 2.8 mm from an inner edge of an arm of the first and second side walls at the separator end; the edge of the center leg adjacent to the separator end terminates approximately 0.4 mm from a separator edge; and the edge of the center leg adjacent the separator end is at least 3 mm from the edge of the top surface adjacent the separator end.