Pouch with slider and grip members

Abstract

A reclosable pouch comprises first and second side panels and a mouth at an upper end of the pouch. A first closure mechanism that includes complementary opposing interlocking profiles is disposed on the first and second side panels and a second closure mechanism that includes complementary opposing interlocking profiles is disposed on the first and second side panels and spaced from the first closure mechanism. A slider is adapted to straddle the mouth of the pouch and is movable between a first position and a second position. A separator member is disposed adjacent one end of the slider for separating the interlocking profiles of the first closure mechanism when the slider is moved toward the first position. A protrusion is disposed adjacent an opposite end of the slider for engaging the interlocking profiles of the first and second closure mechanisms when the slider is moved toward the second position. A grip member is disposed between the first closure mechanism and the mouth.

1 . A reclosable pouch, comprising: 
 first and second side panels and a mouth at an upper end of the pouch;    a first closure mechanism that includes complementary opposing interlocking profiles disposed on the first and second side panels and a second closure mechanism that includes complementary opposing interlocking profiles disposed on the first and second side panels and spaced from the first closure mechanism;    a slider adapted to straddle the mouth of the pouch and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein a separator member is disposed adjacent one end of the slider for separating the interlocking profiles of the first closure mechanism when the slider is moved toward the first position, and wherein a protrusion is disposed adjacent an opposite end of the slider for engaging the interlocking profiles of the first and second closure mechanisms when the slider is moved toward the second position; and    a grip member disposed between the first closure mechanism and the mouth.    
   
   
       2 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the grip member is disposed on an inner wall of one of the first and second side panels.  
   
   
       3 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 2 , wherein a second grip member is disposed on an inner wall of one of the first and second side panels opposite the grip member.  
   
   
       4 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the grip member is disposed on an outer wall of one of the first and second side panels.  
   
   
       5 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 4 , wherein a second grip member is disposed on an outer wall of one of the first and second side panels opposite the grip member.  
   
   
       6 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of grips members are disposed between the first closure mechanism and the mouth of the pouch.  
   
   
       7 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of grip members are disposed on an inner wall of at least one of the first and second side panels.  
   
   
       8 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of grip members are disposed on outer wall of at least one of the first and second side panels.  
   
   
       9 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the plurality of grip members is disposed on an inner wall of one of the first and second side panels and at least one of the plurality of grip members is disposed on an outer wall of one of the first and second side panels.  
   
   
       10 . A reclosable pouch, comprising: 
 first and second side portions and an opening at an upper end of the pouch;    a first closure strip that includes complementary opposing interlocking members disposed on the first and second side portions and a second closure strip that includes complementary opposing interlocking members disposed on the first and second side portions and spaced from the first closure strip;    a slider adapted to straddle the mouth of the pouch and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein a separator member is disposed adjacent one end of the slider for separating the interlocking members of the first closure strip when the slider is moved toward the first position, and wherein a protrusion is disposed adjacent an opposite end of the slider for engaging the interlocking members of the first and second closure strips when the slider is moved toward the second position; and    a first flange and a second flange adjacent the opening of the pouch and extending from the first side portion and the second side portion, respectively, wherein a grip member is disposed on at least one of the first and the second flanges.    
   
   
       11 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 10 , wherein the grip member is disposed on an inner wall of the at least one of the first and second flanges.  
   
   
       12 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 11 , wherein a second grip member is disposed on an inner wall of the at least one of the first and second flanges and opposite the grip member.  
   
   
       13 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 10 , wherein the grip member is disposed on an outer wall of the at least one of the first and second flanges.  
   
   
       14 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 13 , wherein a second grip member is disposed on an outer wall of the at least one of the first and second flanges and opposite the grip member.  
   
   
       15 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 10 , wherein a plurality of grip members are disposed on the at least one of the first and second flanges.  
   
   
       16 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of grip members are disposed on an inner wall of the least one of the first and second flanges.  
   
   
       17 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of grip members are disposed on an outer wall of the least one of the first and second side panels.  
   
   
       18 . The reclosable pouch of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of grip members is disposed on an inner wall of one of the first and second flanges and at least one of the plurality of grip members is disposed on an outer wall of one of the first and second flanges.  
   
   
       19 . A method of opening a closed pouch, comprising: 
 moving a slider straddling a mouth of a pouch having opposing first and second side panels from a first position to a second position, wherein a separator member disposed within the slider opens interlocking profiles of a first closure mechanism disposed between the mouth of the pouch and a second closure mechanism when the slider is moved toward the second position;    gripping at least one grip member disposed between the first closure mechanism and the mouth of the pouch and the opposing first and second side panels adjacent the mouth of the pouch; and    pulling at least one of the opposing first and second side panels in a direction substantially opposite each other and away from an interior of the pouch.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one grip member assists in gripping the opposing first and second side panels.