Recloseable Pouch Zipper Ears for Easier Slider Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing zipper closures for flexible pouches face challenges in precise slider alignment, require additional mass for proper insertion, and involve complex configurations that increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A zipper closure design with angled ears and protrusions that provide a wide insertion window for the slider device, reducing the need for extra mass and ensuring easy alignment, while maintaining strong interlocking capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the ears are very close together or touching at the end tip, then the zipper closure achieves compact design, but the slider device requires very precise alignment and may need external devices to open the ears for slider insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The ears are pre-formed with an open configuration at the top during manufacturing, creating a preliminary open state that allows slider insertion without requiring external devices to force the ears apart. This preliminary action eliminates the need for precise alignment during operation while maintaining compact closed design.
Solution Approach 2:
The ears are designed to be flexible and dynamic, allowing them to move between a closed compact position and an open insertion position. This dynamic capability enables the ears to automatically open for slider insertion and close for compact storage without requiring external assistance.
2Ease of operation
If the ears are open at the top providing adequate space for slider insertion, then the slider plow can be easily engaged with the track, but the large gap between the ears necessitates a larger plow to generate sufficient motion to separate the profiles
Solution Approach 1:
Protrusions are added locally to the inner surfaces of the ears to create concentrated force application points. This local modification allows a smaller plow to effectively separate the ears by applying force at these strategic protrusion points, rather than requiring a large plow to act on the entire ear surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions extend in a direction toward the center of the zipper track, creating a three-dimensional feature that converts lateral plow motion into effective separation force. This dimensional addition to the ear structure allows smaller plows to generate sufficient motion to separate the profiles.
3Productivity
If protrusions are added to the ears extending toward the center, then motion is increased when acted on by the slider plow, but extra mass (molded polymer) must be added to the profiles which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding protrusions to both ears, the invention applies protrusions to only one ear (the first ear). This partial action provides sufficient motion generation capability to separate the profiles while minimizing the quantity of additional material required, thereby reducing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion is designed with specific dimensional parameters (length, width, angle) that optimize its ability to generate motion when acted on by the plow. By carefully controlling these parameters, the protrusion achieves maximum motion generation efficiency with minimum material usage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A recloseable zipper closure (62) for use with a pouch (60) includes a female profile (100) including first and second spaced profile legs (102, 104) joined by a female base (106) to define a central, continuous, elongate receiver recess (108); a male profile (114) opposing the female profile. A first ear (152) extends from the second profile leg in a direction away from the female fin, the first ear has a first tip (158) positioned a furthest distance away from the female and male profiles. A second ear (154), opposing the first ear, extends from the male base (118) in a direction away from the male fin (120). The second ear has a second tip (160) positioned a furthest distance away from the female and male profiles. A first protrusion (162) extends from the first ear at a non-zero angle in a direction toward the second ear; and a second protrusion (164) extends from the second ear at a non-zero angle in a direction toward the first ear.