Child resistant zipper closure for recloseable pouch with double slider and methods

Abstract

A child resistant zipper closure for a plastic bag includes a double slider, including a first slider and second slider. The first and second sliders are oriented on the zipper closure such that when at least one of the first slider and second slider is moving in a direction toward the other of the first slider and second slider, the zipper is interlocking; and when at least one of the first slider and second slider is moving in a direction away from the other of the first slider and second slider, the zipper is unlocking. The first and second sliders can be realeasably connected together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A child resistant slider zipper closure system comprising:
 (a) a zipper closure operably openable and closeable and having interlocking tracks; and   (b) a first moveable slider and a second moveable slider, each operably mounted on the zipper closure;
 the first slider and second slider each having a top member and a pair of legs extending from the top member and positioned to straddle the tracks; and 
 (ii) the first slider and second slider having a projection-receiver arrangement to allow selective releasable connection therebetween, the projection-receiver arrangement including at least one of: a receiver defined by one of the legs, or a deflectable tang; 
   
       wherein, the first slider and second slider are configured and arranged such that when connected together, the zipper closure remains closed when the connected first and second sliders are moved along the zipper closure in any direction. 
     
     
         2 . The slider zipper closure system of  claim 1 , wherein, the first slider and second slider are configured and arranged such that when the first slider and second slider are released from one another, the zipper closure can be opened by moving at least one of the first slider and second slider along the zipper closure in a direction opposite one another. 
     
     
         3 . The slider zipper closure system of  claim 1 , wherein, the first slider and second slider are configured and arranged such that when the first slider and second slider are released from one another, the zipper closure can be opened by moving both the first slider and second slider along the zipper closure in a direction opposite one another. 
     
     
         4 . The slider zipper closure system of  claim 1  wherein the projection-receiver arrangement includes at least one deflectable tang having a locking shoulder on at least one of the first slider and second slider, and a cavity with a catch defined by the other of the first slider and second slider sized to receive the deflectable tang and engage the locking shoulder and catch. 
     
     
         5 . The slider zipper closure system of  claim 4  wherein the at least one deflectable tang includes first and second deflectable tangs on the first slider, the first and second deflectable tangs being deflectable toward and away from each other and from a longitudinal axis through the first slider; the second slider defining the cavity and at least first and second catches to engage the first and second tangs. 
     
     
         6 . The slider zipper closure system of  claim 4  wherein the catch is defined by at least one of the legs of the first slider and second slider. 
     
     
         7 . The slider zipper closure system of  claim 4  wherein the at least one deflectable tang projects from the top member of the first slider, and the catch is defined by the top member of the second slider. 
     
     
         8 . The slider zipper closure system of  claim 1  wherein the projection-receiver arrangement includes at least one tab projecting from at least one of the legs of the first and second sliders, and the other of the first and second sliders having at least one receiver defined by one of the legs sized to receive the tab. 
     
     
         9 . The slider zipper closure system of  claim 8  wherein each of the first slider and second slider has at least one tab and one receiver. 
     
     
         10 . The slider zipper closure system of  claim 8  wherein the at least one tab includes a hook, and the at least one receiver includes a catch releasably engaging the hook. 
     
     
         11 . A zippered plastic bag having an openable and recloseable mouth, the bag comprising:
 (a) first and second opposing panels each having a top forming the mouth, a bottom, and first and second opposing sides;   (b) a zipper closure in proximity to the top of the first panel and second panel with for interlocking tracks to close the mouth and for unlocking to open the mouth;   (c) a first slider being located on the zipper closure, the first slider cooperating with the zipper closure in opening and closing the mouth by moving along the zipper closure;   (d) a second slider being located on the zipper closure, the second slider cooperating with the zipper closure in at least closing the mouth by moving along the zipper closure;
 (i) the first slider and the second slider being oriented on the zipper closure such that when at least one of the first slider and second slider is moving in a direction toward the other of the first slider and second slider, the zipper closure is interlocking; and when at least one of both the first slider and second slider are moving in a direction away from the other of the first slider and second slider, the zipper closure is unlocking by at least one of both the first slider and second slider; 
 (ii) the first slider and second slider each having a top member and a pair of legs extending from the top member and positioned to straddle the zipper; and 
 (iii) the first slider and second slider having a projection-receiver arrangement to allow selective releasable connection therebetween, the projection-receiver arrangement including at least one of: a receiver defined by one of the legs, or a deflectable tang. 
   
     
     
         12 . The zippered plastic bag according to  claim 11  wherein the projection-receiver arrangement includes at least one deflectable tang having a locking shoulder on at least one of the first slider and second slider, and a cavity with a catch defined by the other of the first slider and second slider sized to receive the deflectable tang and engage the locking shoulder and catch 
     
     
         13 . The zippered plastic bag according to  claim 11  wherein the projection-receiver arrangement includes at least one tab projecting from at least one of the legs of the first and second sliders, and the other of the first and second sliders having at least one receiver defined by one of the legs sized to receive the tab. 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating a zippered plastic bag having an openable and recloseable mouth; the method comprising:
 (a) providing a zippered plastic bag having first and second panels each having a top forming the mouth, a bottom, and first and second opposing sides; a zipper closure in proximity to the top of the first panel and second panel with interlocking tracks to close the mouth and for unlocking to open the mouth; a first slider located on the zipper closure; and a second slider located on the zipper closure; the first slider and second slider each having a top member and a pair of legs extending from the top member and positioned to straddle the zipper; and the first slider and second slider having a projection-receiver arrangement to allow selective releasable connection therebetween; each of the first slider and second slider cooperating with the zipper closure in opening and closing the mouth by moving along the zipper closure;
 (i) the projection-receiver arrangement including at least one of: a receiver defined by one of the legs, or a deflectable tang; 
   (b) releasing the projection-receiver arrangement between the first slider and second slider; and   (c) opening the mouth by unlocking the zipper closure by moving at least one of the first slider and second slider in a direction away from the other of the first slider and second slider;   (d) closing the mouth by interlocking the zipper closure by moving at least one of the first slider and second slider in a direction toward the other of the first slider and second slider; and   (e) connecting the first slider and second slider together by engaging the projection-receiver arrangement.