Reclosable plastic zipper and bag employing same

Abstract

A reclosable zipper ( 10 ) is provided that includes a female portion ( 12 ) having a first base ( 16 ) that defines a continuous groove ( 22 ), and a male portion ( 14 ) that includes a second base ( 26 ) and a male rib ( 28 ). The male rib extends outwardly from the second base for insertion into the continuous groove and is locked therein when the male and female portions are pressed together. A protective flange ( 32 ) extends outwardly from at least one of the first and second bases proximate the male rib or continuous groove of the reclosable zipper. When the zipper is employed in a packaging bag, such as a plastic bag (44), the protective flange deflects a granular or powdery packaged material away from the male rib and continuous groove, which inhibits clogging of these features and allows the zipper to be closed without interference.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reclosable zipper ( 10 ) comprising: 
 a female portion ( 12 ) having a first base ( 16 ) that defines a continuous groove ( 22 );    a male portion ( 14 ) that includes a second base ( 26 ) and a male rib ( 28 ) extending outwardly from the second base ( 26 ) for insertion into the continuous groove ( 22 ) and being locked therein when the male and female portions are pressed together; and    a protective flange ( 32 ) that extends outwardly from at least one of the first and second bases proximate the male rib or the continuous groove of the reclosable zipper.    
     
     
         2 . The reclosable zipper of  claim 1 , wherein the protective flange extends outwardly from the second base proximate the male rib.  
     
     
         3 . The reclosable zipper of  claim 2 , wherein the protective flange extends outwardly from the second base a greater distance than the male rib.  
     
     
         4 . The reclosable zipper of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second bases includes a protective flange ( 32 A,  32 B), the protective flanges extending outwardly from each of the first and second bases proximate the continuous groove and the male rib, respectively.  
     
     
         5 . The reclosable zipper of  claim 1 , wherein the second base includes a pair of protective flanges ( 32 C,  32 D), the protective flanges extending outwardly from the second base on either side of the male rib.  
     
     
         6 . The reclosable zipper of  claim 1 , wherein the female portion includes a pair of female hooks ( 18 ,  20 ) that define the continuous groove.  
     
     
         7 . The reclosable zipper of  claim 6 , wherein one of the female hooks ( 18 ) extends outwardly from the first base a greater distance that the other female hook ( 20 ).  
     
     
         8 . The reclosable zipper of  claim 6 , wherein the male rib includes a head portion ( 30 ) that is engaged by the female hooks when the male rib is inserted into the continuous groove.  
     
     
         9 . The reclosable zipper of  claim 1  further including a support flange ( 34 ) that extends outwardly from the second base.  
     
     
         10 . A reclosable zipper ( 10 ) comprising: 
 a female portion ( 12 ) that includes a pair of female hooks ( 18 ,  20 ) that extend outwardly from a first base ( 16 ), the pair of female hooks defining a continuous groove ( 22 ), wherein one of the female hooks ( 18 ) extends outwardly from the first base a greater distance that the other female hook ( 20 ); and    a male portion ( 14 ) that includes a second base ( 26 ) and a male rib ( 28 ) that extends outwardly from the second base for insertion into the continuous groove and being locked therein when the male and female portions are pressed together; and    a protective flange ( 32 ) that extends outwardly from the second base proximate the male rib.    
     
     
         11 . A reclosable packaging bag ( 44 ) comprising: 
 a pair of opposing sides ( 40 ,  42 ) that define an openable mouth ( 46 ) that includes an elongate reclosable zipper ( 10 ) extending across the inside of the mouth; and    wherein the reclosable zipper ( 10 ) includes a female portion ( 12 ) having a first base ( 16 ) that defines a continuous groove ( 22 ), a male portion ( 14 ) that includes a second base ( 26 ) and a male rib ( 28 ) extending outwardly from the second base for insertion into the continuous groove and being locked therein when the male rib and the continuous groove are pressed together, and a protective flange ( 32 ) that extends outwardly from at least one of the first and second bases proximate the male or female portion of the reclosable zipper.    
     
     
         12 . The reclosable packaging bag of  claim 11 , wherein the protective flange extends outwardly from the second base proximate the male rib.  
     
     
         13 . The reclosable packaging bag of  claim 12 , wherein the protective flange extends outwardly from the second base a greater distance than the male rib.  
     
     
         14 . The reclosable packaging bag of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second bases includes a protective flange ( 32 A,  32 B), the protective flanges extending outwardly from each of the first and second bases proximate the continuous groove and the male rib, respectively.  
     
     
         15 . The reclosable packaging bag of  claim 11 , wherein the second base includes a pair of protective flanges ( 32 C,  32 D), the protective flanges extending outwardly from the second base on either side of the male rib.  
     
     
         16 . The reclosable packaging bag of  claim 11 , wherein the female portion includes a pair of female hooks ( 18 ,  20 ) that define the continuous groove.  
     
     
         17 . The reclosable packaging bag of  claim 16 , wherein one of the female hooks ( 18 ) extends outwardly from the first base a greater distance that the other female hook ( 20 ).  
     
     
         18 . The reclosable packaging bag of  claim 16 , wherein the male rib includes a head portion ( 30 ) that is engaged by the female hooks when the male rib is inserted into the continuous groove.  
     
     
         19 . The reclosable packaging bag of  claim 11  further including a support flange ( 34 ) that extends outwardly from the second base.