Flexible fluid container with removable slide fastener

Abstract

Flexible, re-sealable containers and systems for retaining solids, liquids, gasses or combinations thereof. Containers and related system embodiments include, in combination or in the alternative, polyethylene and polyurethane laminated panels; linear interlocking closure elements having a pair of opposed sealing members; a removable slider that include structure for accommodating varying thickness sealable closures, for progressively engaging opposing interlock portions of the sealing members of the closure, for engaging portions of a container adjacent to the closure to resist unintended separation thereof and/or engaging portions of the sealing members to provide a means for resisting tensioned separation of the slider from the container, for incorporating permanent or removable handle(s) to facilitate transportation, mounting, attaching or adapting of the container, and/or for selectively modifying the sealing pressure applied to the sealable closures during closure operations; and/or novel high strength apertures/handles that are integral with a flexible container.

1 . A flexible container for holding solids, liquids, gasses or combinations thereof comprising:
 a first panel having an outer surface, an inner surface and a perimeter at the outer periphery thereof; and   a second panel having an outer surface, an inner surface and a perimeter at the outer periphery thereof   
       wherein at least a first part of the first panel periphery is sealingly joined to at least a first part of the second panel periphery, and at least a second part of the first panel periphery, which includes a first part of a two part closure system, opposes at least a second part of the second panel periphery, which includes a second part of a two part closure system, to define a sealable opening comprising a two part closure system, and wherein at least one of the first panel inner surface or second panel inner surface comprises polyethylene, and at least one of the first panel or second panel comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         2 . A flexible container according to  claim 1  further comprising a removable slider to removingly engage at least a portion of the two part closure system. 
     
     
         3 . A flexible container according to  claim 2  wherein the removable slider comprises a slot defined by a lower wall sized to receive at least the two panels and provide resistance to separation there between when linked thereto. 
     
     
         4 . A flexible container according to  claim 2  wherein each panel comprises a pinch zone and the lower wall of the removable slider is adjacent to the pinch zones to prevent substantial divergence there between when the slider is engaged with at least one of the first and second panels or the two part closure system. 
     
     
         5 . A flexible container according to  claim 1  wherein an orifice is formed at the first parts of the first and second panel peripheries. 
     
     
         6 . A flexible container according to  claim 2  wherein the slider further comprises a throat at one longitudinal end thereof defined at least in part by two sidewalls. 
     
     
         7 . A flexible container according to  claim 2  wherein the slider further comprises a cavity defined at least in part by two sidewalls. 
     
     
         8 . A flexible container according to  claim 7  wherein the two part closure system comprises an interlock portion that is receivable by the slider cavity 
     
     
         9 . A flexible container according to  claim 2  wherein the slider comprises at least one laterally displaceable element having at least one closure system contact portion. 
     
     
         10 . A flexible container according to  claim 9  wherein the at least one laterally displaceable element is hingedly linked to at least one side of the slider and functionally extends into a cavity defined by the slider. 
     
     
         11 . A flexible container according to  claim 9  wherein a distance between the at least one closure system contact portion of the at least one laterally displaceable element and an opposing part of the slider, when at rest, is equal to or greater than a section thickness of the two part closure system when in a sealed configuration. 
     
     
         12 . A flexible container according to  claim 9  wherein the at least one closure system contact portion has a compound face so as to progressively contact one part of the two part closure system when the same longitudinally translates there past. 
     
     
         13 . A flexible container according to  claim 2  wherein the slider comprises a handle. 
     
     
         14 . A flexible container according to  claim 13  wherein the handle is removable. 
     
     
         15 . A flexible container according to  claim 13  wherein the handle comprises at least one lug receivable by a portion of the slider. 
     
     
         16 . A flexible container according to  claim 1  wherein the two part closure system comprises first and second interlock portions each having a step adjacent to corresponding interlock elements. 
     
     
         17 . A flexible container according to  claim 16  further comprising a slider having bearing surfaces to contact at least a portion of each step when a tension force is applied between the slider and the container. 
     
     
         18 . A flexible container according to  claim 3  wherein the slider lower wall is one of linear or arcuate. 
     
     
         19 . A flexible container according to any  claim 1  wherein the first panel and the second panel are separate sheets of material prior to perimeter bonding. 
     
     
         20 . A flexible container according to  claim 3  wherein the lower wall is one of continuous or discontinuous.