Reclosable Pouch Zipper Slider End Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reclosable flexible bags with zippers lack a mechanism to prevent leakage at the junctions where the zipper strips are joined, and the U-shaped slider often falls off when closing the bag, making it difficult to maintain a hermetic seal.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves forming dome-shaped projections at the ends of the zipper junctions and using heat sealing or resistance heating to terminate the zipper profiles uniformly, with specific tools used in an automated process to create slider end stops and zipper terminations that prevent the slider from falling off and ensure a leakproof seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the ends of zipper strips are joined by thermal crushing, then the zipper can be closed, but leakage occurs through the joined ends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different treatments to different regions of the zipper ends. Instead of uniform crushing, it creates a crushed zone for joining while preserving an uncrushed zone with raised portions that form a positive stop for the slider. This local differentiation eliminates leakage at the junction while maintaining slider control.
Solution Approach 2:
The zipper end is divided into distinct functional zones: a crushed zone for joining the zipper strip to the bag, and an uncrushed zone with raised portions that create a mechanical stop for the slider. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without interfering with the other.
2Ease of manufacture
If the zipper ends are joined flat, then manufacturing is simple, but the slider can come off the bag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates raised, dome-shaped portions at the uncrushed ends of the zipper strips. These curved, protruding structures act as physical stops that prevent the slider from traveling beyond the ends of the zipper, thereby retaining the slider on the bag while maintaining simple manufacturing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the zipper strips are not uniformly terminated, then manufacturing is flexible, but leakage occurs at the junctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates distinct zones at the zipper ends: a crushed zone for joining and an uncrushed zone with raised portions for slider retention. This local differentiation ensures that the zipper can be joined while maintaining uniform termination characteristics that prevent leakage, combining manufacturing flexibility with seal integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively prevents the slider from coming off and ensures a hermetic seal by creating consistent terminations and dome-shaped end stops, enhancing the usability and sealing efficiency of reclosable bags.
Implementation Method 1
The first flange of the first zipper strip is joined to a corresponding band-shaped zone of a first panel made of web material, and the second flange of the second zipper strip is joined to a corresponding band-shaped zone of a second panel made of web material
Implementation Method 2
supplying heat and pressure in sufficient amounts in an area overlapping respective lengths of the interlocked first and third closure elements and the interlocked second and fourth closure elements to cause the closure elements to be at least partially crushed along the respective lengths
Implementation Method 3
applying heat and pressure in sufficient amounts in the area to cause thermoplastic material of the zipper strips to flow into first and second pairs of mutually opposed depressions located adjacent to and on opposite sides of the area
Implementation Method 4
applying sufficient pressure in the area to cause additional thermoplastic material of the zipper strips to flow into the third and fourth pairs of depressions
Implementation Method 5
cooling the zipper strip thermoplastic material in the area
Data Source
AI summary
A reclosable pouch that includes a receptacle having a storage chamber and a mouth in communication with the storage chamber, a hermetically sealable closure attached to the mouth, the closure including a first zipper strip and a second zipper strip, the first and second zipper strips being fused together in first and second zones situated at respective ends of the closure, a slider mounted to the closure, and a respective pair of round projections arranged back to back on first and second walls of the receptacle. The round projections are separate and distinct from each other and from zipper terminations of the first and second zippers, and the respective pair of round projections prevents further travel of the slider at opposing ends of the closure upon contact with sidewalls of the slider.