Slider with laterally displaceable engagement members

Abstract

A slider for opening and closing first and second longitudinally elongate closure members including a body with at least one sidewall that defines a channel, side member articulably attached to the sidewall, wherein the side member is laterally displaceable about a hinge. Additionally, an engagement member is attached to the side member. The engagement member extends across at least one of the closure members and operationally engages at least one of the closure members.

1 . A slider for opening and closing longitudinally elongate opposing first and second closure members of a zipper, the slider comprising: 
 a body with a first sidewall and a second sidewall defining a channel therebetween adapted to operably receive the first and second closure members;    a first side member attached to the first sidewall at a first hinge, the first side member being laterally pivotable about the first hinge;    a second side member attached to the second sidewall at a second hinge, the second side member being laterally pivotable about the second hinge;    a first engagement member attached to the first side member, wherein the first engagement member extends at least partly across the channel; and    a second engagement member attached to the second side member, wherein the second engagement member extends at least partly across the channel.    
   
   
       2 . The slider of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the first engagement member comprises a first lateral member extending across the channel and a first down turned member;    the second engagement member comprises a second lateral member extending across the channel and a second down turned member; and    wherein the second down turned member is longitudinally offset from the first down turned member.    
   
   
       3 . The slider of  claim 2 , wherein the channel is disposed between the first down turned member and the second down turned member.  
   
   
       4 . The slider of  claim 2 , wherein the first down turned member and the second down turned member are centrally disposed in the channel.  
   
   
       5 . The slider of  claim 2 , wherein opposing first and second lateral forces applied on the first and second side members, respectively, in the direction of the channel urge the first side member in the direction of the first lateral force, urge the second side member in the direction of the second lateral force, and increase a lateral width between the first down turned member and the second down turned member.  
   
   
       6 . The slider of  claim 1  further comprising 
 a pull tab;    wherein each of the first hinge and the second hinge is generally longitudinally oriented.    
   
   
       7 . A slider for occluding and de-occluding opposing elongate first and second closure members of a resealable closure mechanism, the slider comprising: 
 a body that defines a channel for operably receiving the first and second opposing longitudinally elongate closure members; and    an engagement member connected with the body, wherein the engagement member is laterally displaceable with respect to the body, and wherein the engagement member extends across at least one of the first and second closure members and engages at least one of the first and second closure members.    
   
   
       8 . The slider of  claim 7  further comprising a side member connected to the body at a hinge, wherein the engagement member extends from the side member, and wherein the hinge has a generally longitudinally oriented axis of rotation and the side member pivots laterally about the hinge.  
   
   
       9 . The slider of  claim 8 , wherein the engagement member is disposed between the first and the second closure members.  
   
   
       10 . The slider of  claim 9 , wherein pivoting of the side member towards the zipper causes the engagement member to at least partly separate the first and second closure members.  
   
   
       11 . The slider of  claim 8  further comprising a second engagement member connected with the body, wherein the second engagement member extends across at least one of the closure members and is laterally displaceable with respect to the body in opposing relation to the first engagement member.  
   
   
       12 . The slider of  claim 11  further comprising a second side member connected to the body at a second hinge, wherein the channel is disposed between the first side member and the second side member, and wherein the second engagement member extends from the second side member.  
   
   
       13 . The slider of  claim 12 , wherein the first engagement member and the second engagement member are disposed between the first closure member and the second closure member.  
   
   
       14 . The slider of  claim 12 , wherein opposing first and second external forces applied on the first and second side member in the direction of the resealable closure mechanism, respectively, cause the first and second engagement members to urge the first and second elongate closure members at least partly apart.  
   
   
       15 . The slider of  claim 8 , wherein the second closure member is disposed between the engagement member and the first closure member, and the first closure member is disposed between the second closure member and the side member.  
   
   
       16 . The slider of  claim 15 , wherein pivoting of the side member towards the resealable closure mechanism increases a width between the engagement member and the second closure member.  
   
   
       17 . The slider of  claim 15  further comprising a second engagement member connected with the body, wherein the second engagement member extends across the first and second closure members, the first closure member is disposed between the second engagement member and the second closure member, and wherein the second engagement member is laterally displaceable with respect to the body in opposing relation to the first engagement member.  
   
   
       18 . The slider of  claim 17 , further comprising a second side member connected to the body at a second hinge, wherein the channel is disposed between the first side member and the second side member, and wherein the second engagement member extends from the second side member.  
   
   
       19 . The slider of  claim 18 , wherein opposing first and second external forces applied on the first and second side members, respectively, in the direction of the zipper increases widths between the first engagement member and the second closure member, and the second engagement member and the first closure members, respectively.  
   
   
       20 . A pouch comprising: 
 a first pouch wall opposite a second pouch wall;    a first closure profile disposed on the first pouch wall, the first closure profile being longitudinally elongate;    a second closure profile disposed on the second pouch wall, the second closure profile being longitudinally elongate, wherein the first closure profile engages the second closure profile;    a slider operatively disposed along the first closure profile and the second closure profile, wherein the slider comprises:    a body defining a longitudinal channel, wherein the first and second closure profiles are disposed in the channel; and    an engagement member connected with the body, wherein the engagement member is laterally displaceable with respect to the body, and wherein the engagement member extends across at least one of the first and second closure profiles and is adapted to urge at least one of the first and second closure profiles in a lateral direction.