Zipper closure with slider device; recloseable pouch; & methods

Abstract

A recloseable zipper closure for use with a pouch includes opposing female and male profiles, female and male fins, and female and male cars. A slider device having a plow is positioned to wedge between the opposing first car and second car to drive them apart and disengage the male profile and female profile. The slider device includes first and second shoulders and first and second bumpouts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A recloseable zipper closure for use with a pouch; the zipper closure comprising:
 (a) a female profile including first and second spaced profile legs joined by a female base to define a central, continuous, elongate receiver recess;   (b) a male profile opposing the female profile; the male profile including a male profile member extending from a male base, the male profile member being sized and positioned to be releasably inserted in the receiver recess and be engaged with the first and second profile legs;   (c) a female fin attached to the female profile;   (d) a male fin attached to the male profile member;
 (i) the male fin having a continuous, outwardly projecting male fin retention member; 
   (e) a first ear extending from the second profile leg in a direction away from the female fin;   (f) a second ear, opposing the first ear, extending from the male base in a direction away from the male fin;
 (i) the first ear and second ear defining a plow-receiving volume therebetween; 
   (g) a slider device having a closing end, an opposite opening end, a top wall, a first side wall and a second side wall extending from the top wall; a plow extending from the top wall at the opening end and into the plow-receiving volume; the plow being positioned to wedge between the opposing first ear and second ear to drive them apart and disengage the male profile and female profile as the slider device is moved in an opening direction along the zipper closure; and    wherein the slider device further includes,
 (i) a first shoulder extending from the first side wall toward the second side wall; 
 (ii) a second shoulder extending from the second side wall toward the first side wall and engaging the male fin retention member; 
 (iii) a first bumpout projecting from the first side wall toward the second side wall; the first bumpout being spaced between the first shoulder and the top wall; and 
 (iv) a second bumpout projecting from the second side wall toward the first side wall; the second bumpout being spaced between the second shoulder and the top wall. 
   
     
     
         2 . The zipper closure of  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) the first bumpout is defined by a recession of an inner surface of the the first side wall as the inner surface extends from the closing end to the opening end of the slider; and   (b) the second bumpout extends from the opening end only partially along a length of the second side wall toward the closing end.   
     
     
         3 . The zipper closure of  claim 2 , wherein the second bumpout extends from the opening end toward the closing end no more than 70% of the length of the second side wall. 
     
     
         4 . The zipper closure of  claim 2 , wherein the second bumpout extends from the opening end toward the closing end no more than 80% of the length of the second side wall. 
     
     
         5 . The zipper closure of  claim 2 , wherein the second bumpout extends from the opening end toward the closing end no more than 90% of the length of the second side wall. 
     
     
         6 . The zipper closure of  claim 1 , wherein the first shoulder engages the female base. 
     
     
         7 . The zipper closure of  claim 1 , wherein the female fin extends from the first profile leg, and is out of alignment with the female base. 
     
     
         8 . The zipper closure of  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the female fin has a continuous, outwardly projecting female fin retention member; and 
 (b) the first shoulder engages the female fin retention member. 
 
     
     
         9 . The zipper closure of  claim 1  wherein the second bumpout extends from the opening end toward the closing end 100% of a length of the second side wall. 
     
     
         10 . The zipper closure of  claim 1  wherein the female base includes a thin region; the thin region having a thickness which is less than a remaining part of the female profile. 
     
     
         11 . The zipper closure of  claim 1  wherein the first bumpout on the slider device is positioned laterally adjacent to at least a portion of the female base. 
     
     
         12 . The zipper closure of  claim 1  wherein engagement between the second shoulder and male fin retention member is:
 (i) under the male and female profiles, when oriented with the slider device on top of the male and female profiles; and 
 (ii) in-line, or adjacent to being in-line, with the male base. 
 
     
     
         13 . The zipper closure of  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the male profile further includes a male protrusion projecting from the male base in a direction opposite of the male profile member; and 
 (b) the second bump on the slider device is positioned to contact the male protrusion, as the plow drives the first ear and second ear apart when moving the slider device in the opening direction. 
 
     
     
         14 . The zipper closure of  claim 1 , wherein the male profile member includes a continuous male rib projection with a head remote from the male base and first and second, opposite continuous side arms on opposite sides of the rib projection; the side arms providing for engagement recesses thereunder for locking engagement with portions of the first and second profile legs. 
     
     
         15 . The zipper closure of  claim 14 , wherein:
 (a) the first profile leg has a first hook member;   (b) the second profile leg has a second hook member;   wherein when the male profile member is inserted in the receiver recess, the first and second hook member are received in respective ones of the engagement recesses to interlock.   
     
     
         16 . The zipper closure of  claim 15 , wherein:
 (a) the female base includes a thin region; the thin region having a thickness which is less than a remaining part of the female profile; and   (b) the first bumpout on the slider device is positioned laterally adjacent to at least a portion of the female base.   
     
     
         17 . A flexible, recloseable pouch comprising:
 (a) a recloseable zipper closure including,
 (i) a female profile including first and second spaced profile legs joined by a female base to define a central, continuous, elongate receiver recess; 
 (ii) a male profile opposing the female profile; the male profile including a male profile member extending from a male base, the male profile member being sized and positioned to be releasably inserted in the receiver recess and be engaged with the first and second profile legs; 
 (iii) a female fin attached to the female profile; 
 (iv) a male fin attached to the male profile member;
 (A) the male fin having a continuous, outwardly projecting male fin retention member; 
 
 (v) a first ear extending from the second profile leg in a direction away from the female fin; 
 (vi) a second ear, opposing the first ear, extending from the male base in a direction away from the male fin;
 (A) the first ear and second ear defining a plow-receiving volume therebetween; 
 
 (vii) a slider device having a closing end, an opposite opening end, a top wall, a first side wall and a second side wall extending from the top wall; a plow extending from the top wall at the opening end and into the plow-receiving volume; the plow being positioned to wedge between the opposing first ear and second ear to drive them apart and disengage the male profile and female profile as the slider device is moved in an opening direction along the zipper closure; and 
 wherein the slider device further includes,
 (A) a first shoulder extending from the first side wall toward the second side wall; 
 (B) a second shoulder extending from the second side wall toward the first side wall and engaging the male fin retention member; 
 (C) a first bumpout projecting from the first side wall toward the second side wall; the first bumpout being spaced between the first shoulder and the top wall; and 
 (D) a second bumpout projecting from the second side wall toward the first side wall; the second bumpout being spaced between the second shoulder and the top wall; 
 
   (b) a first panel having a top edge; the female fin secured to the first panel along the top edge; and   (c) a second panel, opposing the first panel, having a top edge; the male fin secured to the second panel along the second panel top edge;   wherein the first panel and second panel form a surrounding pouch wall having an interior volume.   
     
     
         18 . The flexible pouch of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second panels are secured together along opposite side edges. 
     
     
         19 . The flexible pouch of  claim 17 , wherein:
 (a) the first bumpout is defined by a recession of an inner surface of the the first side wall as the inner surface extends from the closing end to the opening end of the slider; and   (b) the second bumpout extends from the opening end only partially along a length of the second side wall toward the closing end.   
     
     
         20 . The flexible pouch of  claim 17 , wherein:
 (a) the female fin has a continuous, outwardly projecting female fin retention member; and   (b) the first shoulder engages the female fin retention member.   
     
     
         21 . A method of operating a zippered bag having an openable and recloseable mouth; the method comprising:
 (a) providing a zippered bag having first and second panels forming a wall surrounding an interior, an open mouth, and a closed bottom; and a recloseable zipper closure secured to the panels along the mouth; a slider device being operably mounted on the recloseable zipper closure;
 (i) the recloseable zipper closure including a female profile including first and second spaced profile legs joined by a female base to define a central, continuous, elongate receiver recess; and a female fin attached to the female profile; the female fin being secured to the first panel; 
 (ii) the recloseable zipper closure including a male profile opposing the female profile; the male profile including a male profile member extending from a male base, the male profile member being sized and positioned to be releasably inserted in the receiver recess and engaged with the first and second profile legs; and a male fin attached to the male profile member; the male fin being secured to the second panel; 
 (iii) a first ear extending from the second profile leg in a direction away from the female fin; 
 (iv) a second ear, opposing the first ear, extending from the male base in a direction away from the male fin; 
   (b) moving the slider device along the zipper closure to move a plow on the slider device between the first ear and second ear, causing the male profile and female profile to move outward from each other, causing the female profile to contact a first bumpout on the slider device and causing the first and second female legs to rotate up providing clearance for the male profile member to rotate out;   (c) allowing the male profile to pivot outwardly, such that a protrusion on the male profile contacts a second bumpout on the slider device; and   (d) lifting the male profile member so it clears the first and second female legs, allowing the male profile and female profile to separate.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein as the male profile moves outward, pivoting the male profile on a male retention barb secured to a male fin, attached to the male profile member. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein causing the first and second female legs to rotate up includes pivoting the female profile about a retention member. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the retention member includes a shoulder on the slider device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein pivoting the female profile about the retention member includes pivoting the female base about the shoulder on the slider device. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein pivoting the female profile about the retention member includes pivoting a female retention barb secured to a female fin about the shoulder on the slider device.