Tactile enhancement mechanism for a closure mechanism

Abstract

A pouch includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall that connects to the first side sidewall so as to form an interior of the pouch with an opening to the interior, and a closure mechanism that extends along an interior surface of the first sidewall for sealing the opening, the closure mechanism extending from one end of the opening to an opposite end of the opening. A first tactile strip is disposed on an exterior surface of the first sidewall and is spaced above the closure mechanism. A second tactile strip is disposed on the exterior surface of the first sidewall and is spaced below the closure mechanism. An exterior surface of at least one of the first tactile strip and the second tactile strip is provided with a texture, with the texture including a plurality of openings that open into the exterior surface. A smooth region is formed on the exterior surface of the first sidewall. The smooth region is disposed opposite to the closure mechanism and extends between the first and second tactile strips.

I Claim: 
     
         1 . A pouch comprising:
 a first sidewall;   a second sidewall connected to the first side sidewall so as to form an interior of the pouch with an opening to the interior;   a closure mechanism extending along an interior surface of the first sidewall for sealing the opening, wherein the closure mechanism extends from one end of the opening to an opposite end of the opening;   a first tactile strip disposed on an exterior surface of the first sidewall and spaced above the closure mechanism; and   a second tactile strip disposed on the exterior surface of the first sidewall and spaced below the closure mechanism,   wherein an exterior surface of at least one of the first tactile strip and the second tactile strip is provided with a texture, with the texture including a plurality of openings that open into the exterior surface, and   wherein a smooth region is formed on the exterior surface of the first sidewall, the smooth region being disposed opposite to the closure mechanism and extending between the first and second tactile strips.   
     
     
         2 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the smooth region is flat. 
     
     
         3 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second tactile strips comprises a bead of thermoplastic material attached to the exterior surface of the first sidewall, and the openings are indentations in the thermoplastic bead. 
     
     
         4 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the openings are at least one of notches, slits, cuts, embossing, holes, abscesses, and indentations. 
     
     
         5 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the first tactile strip is a discontinuous strip of material. 
     
     
         6 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the first tactile strip is a continuous strip of material. 
     
     
         7 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tactile strips comprise a layer of ink defining a series of shapes, the layer having a thickness that provides significant tactile feedback to fingers of a user. 
     
     
         8 . The pouch of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a closure mechanism disposed along an interior surface of the second sidewall, wherein the closure mechanism disposed on the second sidewall engages the closure mechanism disposed on the first sidewall so as to close the opening;   a third tactile strip disposed on an exterior surface of the second sidewall and spaced above the closure mechanism; and   a fourth tactile strip disposed on an exterior surface of the second sidewall and spaced below the closure mechanism,   wherein a smooth region is formed on the exterior surface of the second sidewall, the smooth region on the second sidewall being coextensive with the closure mechanism and extending between the third and fourth tactile strips.   
     
     
         9 . A tactile enhancement mechanism for a closure mechanism on a pouch, the closure mechanism comprising an elongate closure strip disposed on an interior surface of a sidewall of the pouch and extending from one end of a mouth into the pouch to another end of the mouth for closing the mouth, the tactile enhancement mechanism comprising:
 a first strip of material secured to an exterior surface of the sidewall and spaced below the closure strip; and   a second strip of material secured to the exterior surface of the sidewall and spaced above the closure profile,   wherein the first and second strips of material extend to opposite ends of the closure strip,   wherein the first strip of material has a textured exposed surface, with the texture including a plurality of openings that open into the exposed surface, and   wherein a smooth region is formed on the exterior surface of the sidewall, the smooth region being coextensive with the closure strip between the first and second strips of material.   
     
     
         10 . The tactile enhancement mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the the openings are at least one of notches, slits, cuts, embossing, holes, abscesses, and indentations. 
     
     
         11 . The tactile enhancement mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the openings are indentations that are transverse to the closure strip. 
     
     
         12 . The tactile enhancement mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the first strip of material comprises a bead of thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         13 . The tactile enhancement mechanism of  claim 12 , wherein the bead of thermoplastic material is continuous. 
     
     
         14 . The tactile enhancement mechanism of  claim 12 , wherein the bead of thermoplastic material is discontinuous.