Improved reclosable container

(54) Title: CONTAINER THAT CAN BE CLOSED AGAIN (30) Unionist Priority: 25/01/2007 us 11 / 627,148 (73) Holder (s): Global Packaging Solutions Limited (72) Inventor (s): Jonathan Hui, Mark Branson (74) Attorney (s): Orlando de Souza (86) International Request: pct US2008052120 of 25/01/2008 (87) International Publication: wo 2008 / 092i23de 31/07/2008 (57) Abstract: container that can be closed AGAIN. This invention relates to a bag that can be closed again, improved by having first and second walls and an open top. The open top has flexible first and second fastening straps attached to it. One of the strips has a profile portion forming a groove; the other strip has a profile portion forming a rib with a portion of the rib received and retained in the groove when the top of the bag is closed. Each of the fixing strips has a base connected to the respective walls. The pocket has a zipper mounted on the fastening strips 0 which is movable longitudinally along the fastening strip to progressively separate the rib from the groove to open the pocket, and is movable in the opposite direction to progressively return to the rib to a condition retained in the groove and create a leak-proof seal. A support is formed near one end of the fixing strip which is sized, constructed and arranged to receive and retain the zipper base when the fixing strip is sealed to prevent leakage from that end of the fixing strip. The support preferably has a length greater than the length of the zipper so that it is retained therein and is curved in its interior configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the support has a tab which is also curved and extends angularly from the support for backrest against the retention of the zipper inside the support.

<img file="BRPI0806236A2_D0001.tif" />

12^-14

1/21

ΡΙ0806236 -6

CONTAINER THAT CAN BE CLOSED AGAIN BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to containers that can be closed again and, in particular, to the fastening strips and zippers that can be incorporated into containers that can be closed again.

Pockets that can be closed again are known in the art. A conventional resealable pouch comprises flexible side walls having complementary fastening strips, mounted along an upper edge of the side walls, and a zipper mounted thereon. The zipper moves along a longitudinal extension of the fastening strips. Each fixing strip has a sealing member that has a profile that is complementary to the sealing member of the opposite fixing strip. When the zipper runs through the fastening strips in one direction, the sealing members of the opposite fastening strips are urged into an interconnected closing condition by the closing doors arranged at one end of the zipper, thereby providing a substantially leak-proof seal . When the zipper runs through the fastening strips in the opposite direction, the fastening strips are disengaged by a separation mechanism also forming a part of the zipper in the opposite direction, thereby breaking the seal and allowing access to the interior of the container that can be removed. closed again.

There are obstacles in relation to containers that can be closed again, conventional ones that need to be solved, including, for example, safe placement of

2/21 zippers on the fastening strips, inadvertent removal of the zippers from the bag, and sealing of the fastening strips in a leak-proof manner. The present invention provides improvements in fastening strips and zippers that can be incorporated into containers that can be resealed, specifically, bags that can be resealed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A resealable pouch having first and second walls is revealed with an open top defined by elongated, flexible first and second fixing strips attached to the first and second walls, respectively, adjacent to the top of the walls. One of the fixing strips has a profile portion forming a groove, and the other fixing strip has a profile portion forming a rib, with a portion of the rib received and retained in the groove when the top of the pouch is closed. Each of the fixing strips has a base connected to the respective wall and each of the strips has an upper edge adjacent to the upper edge of the other strip. The bag has a zipper mounted on the fastening strips that is movable in a direction longitudinally relative to the fastening strips to progressively separate the rib from the groove to open the bag and the zipper is movable in the opposite direction to progressively return the portion of rib for a condition retained in the groove to close the pouch. The improvement over the prior art is a support provided close to one end of the fastening strip, dimensioned, built and arranged to receive and retain the

0 zipper base on it, while the fixing strip is

3/21 engaged with the corresponding sealing portion of the complementary sealing member ι. As a result, the sealing members remain engaged and closed to provide a leak-proof seal. In one embodiment, the support has a flap extending from that place at an angle of approximately 45 ° to meet and retain the zipper on the support. In a preferred embodiment, the support is of a length greater than the length of the zipper so as to allow variations in the size of the zipper fabrication duration while still keeping the zipper inside the support and thus sealing the fastening strip. The support preferably has a flap extending from it at an angle of approximately 45 ° to meet and retain the zipper on the support. In a preferred embodiment, the support is substantially C-shaped in its internal configuration in order to keep the zipper in place. The flap, although preferably at 45 ° extending from the support, can also extend at an angle from 15 ° -30 ° so as to rest against the zipper and keep the zipper inside the support. In one embodiment, the flap can lean against the separator inside the zipper. The support is preferably curved on at least one end in order to keep the zipper in place. It is preferably curved at both ends.

Consequently, an object of the present invention is to manufacture sliding fasteners in which fasteners are easily opened, but are substantially leak-proof when sealed.

An additional objective of the invention is to provide zippers or sliding fasteners that are extremely

4/21, difficult to remove from the bag to provide a child safety feature.

A further object of the invention is to provide fastening strips having a support for receiving and selectively retaining the zipper therein so that the sliding fasteners remain substantially leak-proof at their ends when the zipper has been moved to a completely closed position on the fixing strips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 of the drawings is a vertical section of the resealable fastener profile of the present invention, partially detached, showing the male profile and the female profile, and guide ribs arranged on the outer walls of the closable bag. again.

Figure 2 of the drawings is a top view of the zipper of the present invention.

Figure 3 of the drawings is a bottom view of the zipper of the present invention.

Figure 4 of the drawings is a front detached view of the zipper of Figures 2 and 3 showing a separator extending downwards from its upper surface.

Figure 5 of the drawings is a rear view of the zipper of Figures 2-4.

Figure 6 of the drawings is a vertical section taken along the BB lines of Figure 3 showing the internal zipper configuration of Figures 2-5.

0 Figure 7 of the drawings is a perspective view

5/21 front of the container that can be closed again from Figure 1.

Figure 8 of the drawings is a vertical section of the male and female profiles, of Figure 1 extending from the walls of the bag, with the zipper arranged on the fastener and held in place by the lower track extending laterally from the walls of the bag, as well as the separator extending between the profiles, male and female.

Figure 9 of the drawings is a vertical section of the

<td>purse and strip</td><td>fixation</td><td>gives</td><td>Figure</td><td> 10</td><td>showing</td>

<td colspan="2">particularly the male profile</td><td>it's the</td><td>profile-</td><td>female,</td><td>hitched</td>

<td>and the zipper attached</td><td>on the strip</td><td>in</td><td>fixation</td><td>by</td><td>trails</td>

<td>lower.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a container that can be closed again according to the present invention.

Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of exemplary fastening strips according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary zipper according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a front elevation view of the exemplary zipper in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a rear elevation view of the exemplary zipper in Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a bottom plan view of the exemplary zipper in Figure 12.

Figure 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary fixing strips and the exemplary zipper

6/21 illustrating its operation in accordance with the present invention.

<td>Figure 17</td><td>is</td><td>an</td><td>partial view,</td><td>in section</td>

<td colspan="2">cross section of the strips</td><td colspan="2">fixing, specimens and</td><td>zipper</td>

<td>exemplary illustrating</td><td>The</td><td>your</td><td colspan="2">operation in one position</td>

<td>partially open.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Figure 18</td><td>is</td><td>an</td><td>partial view,</td><td>in section</td>

<td>transversal of a</td><td colspan="2">modality</td><td>alternative to</td><td>profiles of</td>

<td>fastener that can</td><td>to be</td><td colspan="2">closed again from</td><td>Figure 1</td>

showing profiles, male and female, and guide ribs arranged on the outer walls of the profiles.

Figure 19 is a vertical section of an alternative embodiment of the container showing particularly a support near the first end of the fastening strip that is sized, constructed and arranged to receive and retain the base of a zipper when the zipper is positioned at the first end of the fixing strip.

The following description of the drawings only explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited to them, except to the extent that those who have the disclosure before them are able to make modifications and variations on them without departing from the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODE

As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, a resealable pouch 10; having first and second wall 12 and 14, and an open top 16; is defined by first and second elongated flexible strip 18 and 20 attached to the first and second wall 12 and 14, respectively, adjacent to the top 22 and 24 of the walls. One of the fixing strips 20 has a profile portion 26 that forms a groove 28. The other fixing strip 18 has a portion of

7/21 profile 30 forming a rib 32 with a portion of the rib 34 received and withdraws into the groove 28 when the pocket 10 is closed. All strips 18 and 20 have a base 3 8 and 4 8 connected to the respective walls 12 and 14 and all strips 18 and 20 additionally have an upper edge 42 and 44 adjacent to the upper edge of the other strip 18 and 20 , respectively.

As shown in Figures 1-7, bag 10 has a zipper 46 mounted on strips 18 and 20 and movable in a direction 48 longitudinally with respect to strips 18 and 20 to progressively separate rib 32 from slot 28 to open pocket 10. The zipper 46, being movable in the opposite direction 50, progressively returns the rib portion 32 to the retention condition in the groove 28 to close the pocket.

As shown in Figures 1-7, the zipper 46 additionally has a top 52. The zipper 46 additionally has a spacer 54 located there having a proximal portion 56, attached to the top 52, of the zipper 46, and extending downwards from there and having a distal portion 58 residing in a first space 70, between the top of the zipper and the upper edges of the groove 28 when the rib portion 32 is retained in the groove 28 of the profile. 0 The separator 54 has an arrow shaped point 60 constructed and arranged, that is, positioned and dimensioned to facilitate the selective separation of the rib 32 from the groove 28.

In the preferred embodiment, the separator has a length of 2.3 mm ± 0.3 mm. The separator 54 is preferably formed entirely from the zipper 46 and is made of a homogeneous plastic unit,

8/21 preferably POM ocetel rock preferably injection molded or that sold by RTP Company, Winona, Minnesota, or polypropylene with lubricant additive.

In the preferred embodiment the zipper is constructed of polyethylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, acryl nitrile butyldirene styrene or other molded plastic parts commonly formed by injection.

As an additional feature of the invention as shown in Figure 1, the outer walls 12, 14 have a pair of flanges 62 and 64 or tracks extending outwardly from them and extending parallel to the upper edges 22, 24 of the walls . Flanges 62 and 64 are dimensioned for telescopic reception on zipper 46, as will be further described here.

As seen in Figures 2-6, the zipper 46 has an upper portion 52. Extending downwards from the upper portion 52; as seen in Figure 4; there is a separator 54 having a distal portion 58. The distal portion 58 of the separator 54 has an arrow-shaped tip 60 mounted thereon. The arrowhead has an angle of 60 ° ± 10 ° which serves to facilitate the opening of the groove 28 of the profile portion 26 with the profile portion 30 of the groove 32 as contained therein.

In the preferred embodiment, the upper portion 52 of the zipper 46 is approximately 1.2 mm thick. The distal portion 58 extends approximately 2.3 mm from the inner surface 66 of the top 52. The zipper 46 preferably has a height of approximately 8.6 mm, a thickness at its ends of 1.15 mm, a length of 14.8 mm, and an arrowhead tip 60 of

9/21 a height of approximately 1 mm.

In the preferred embodiment, the zipper 46 has a series of gripping ribs 68 which are arranged vertically along its side edges 71 and 72, respectively. Such gripping ribs 68 in the preferred embodiment have a radius of approximately 1.25 mm.

In the preferred embodiment, the zipper 46 has an inner chamber 70 having vertical walls at the ends, front and rear, 73 and 74, and having curved side walls 76 and 78 which have a radius of 9.9 mm.

As best seen in Figure 5, the zipper 46 has a centrally arranged opening 80. The opening 80 in the preferred embodiment is 1.15 mm wide. The bottom, left and right surfaces, 82 and 84, are approximately 2.5 mm wide having chamfered surfaces 86 and 88. The chamfered surfaces 86 and 88 are approximately 0.8 mm and are chamfered at a 45 ° angle. in relation to the lower left surface 82 and lower right surface 84. The gap 80 is designed to receive rib 32, and to retain rib 32 within chamber 70.

In addition, as seen in Figures 7 and 11, the chamber 70 is also designed to receive the outer flanges 62 and 64 which are retained within the chamber 70 in order to retain the zipper 46 in the fixing strips 18 and 20. In the modality preferred, a force of at least 3 pounds and, preferably, 5 pounds is required to remove zipper 46 from fastening strips 18 and 20.

As seen further in Figure 7, zipper 46 has a first offset and stop position 90 where the

10/21 bag 10 is in the closed position and the fixing strips 18 and 20 are engaged and a second travel and stop position 92 in which the fixing strips 18 and 20 are separated from each other to allow product dispensing from the bag 10 or product insertion in it.

As seen further in Figure 7, the proximal and distal ends, 100 and 102, are fixation strips 18 and 20 and are ultrasonically sealed to each other and to the pocket walls 12 and 14, close to the side edges 106 and 108 of the pouch 10. The ultrasonic seal serves to prevent the fixing strips 18 and 20 from opening, and to prevent the pouch 10 from being torn when the fixing strips 18 and 20 are opened.

Referring to Figure 5, inside the slide 46 there are channels facing inwards 103 and 104, which are dimensioned and positioned for the sliding receipt of flanges 62 and 64 and for the retention of flanges 62 and 64 in the slot or opening 80. the bottom of the zipper 46 is a pair of inwardly facing shoulder members 110 and 112 with a gap 80 between them. The shoulder members 110 and 112 have chamfered surfaces 86 and 88 therein to guide the fastening strips 18 and 20 into the opening 80.

Similarly, as shown in Figure 8, the profile portion 26 has a groove 28. The groove 28 is formed from a pair of arms 28b and 28c of barbed members 34b and 44b extending inwards and downwards with a gap 28d extending between them to receive the male profile 32. Barbs 32b and 32c are dimensioned, built, and arranged for

11/21 hitches with hooks 34b and 44b when the male profile 32 is inserted telescopically into the groove 28. The groove 28 and the fastener 10 must be flexible enough to allow the barbs 32b and 3 2c, as well as the fastener

32, be inserted in it. Consequently, the arms

28b and 28c are flexible enough to allow such insertion, but are rigid enough to retain the male fastener profile 32 within the groove 28 when engaged with the barbs 32b and 32c. Similarly, when it is decided to remove the male fastener 32 from the groove 28, the arms 28b and 28c are sufficiently flexible to allow such removal. It should be noted in this regard

<td>that</td><td>barb</td><td>32 is greater</td><td>in</td><td>size</td><td>and has a</td><td>angle</td><td>at the</td>

<td>sense</td><td>for</td><td>bottom bigger</td><td>of</td><td>that</td><td>barb 34b</td><td>so</td><td>The</td>

<td>15 render</td><td>more</td><td>difficult for</td><td>O</td><td>product</td><td>inside the</td><td>handbag</td><td> 10</td>

force the catch 16 open.

As best seen in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, flanges 62 and 64 are formed on the outer walls 12 and 14 of the pouch 10. The pouch 10, of course, is formed from thermoplastic film, which is extruded through a die. As seen further in Figure 9, the separator 54 has a length of 2.3 mm ± 0.3 mm. The zipper 46 has its proximal portion 56 of the separator 54, attached to the top 52 of the inner surface of the zipper 46 and has a distal portion 58 residing in a first space 70 within the zipper 46.

Referring now to Figure 10, a pouch or, more generally, a resealable container 200, similar to the container 10 shown in Figure 7 is illustrated. As shown, bag 200 comprises

12/21 walls 202, 204 sealed along side edges 202b, 202c of walls 12, 14 to form an open end container. Materials commonly used in the art such as Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Nylon Polypropylene (PP), or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), can be used to form the walls 02 02, 204 with edges 055 and 205a. Complementary fastening strips 206, 208 according to the present invention are mounted along the upper edges of the walls 202, 204. In a currently preferred embodiment, the fastening strips 206, 208 are formed integrally with, and from the same material than walls 02, 02 04 through an extrusion process. However, the present invention is not limited in that regard and other techniques known to those skilled in the art can be employed to secure the fastening strips 206, 208 to their corresponding walls 202, 204. A zipper 210 according to the present invention (preferably made of polyethylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, acryl nitrile butyldirene styrene or other materials commonly used in the manufacture of formed, injection-molded plastic parts) is arranged on the fastening strips 206, 208 . As is known in the art, the zipper 210 can slide in a first or opening direction 212 or, conversely, in a second or closing direction 214 along a longitudinal extension of the fastening strips 206, 208, as shown. The displacement of the zipper 210 along the fastening strips 206, 208 is limited at a proximal end 216 by a first stop position 218 and, at a

13/21 distal end 220 through a second stop position 222. In practice, stop positions 218, 222 are formed by melting the fastening strips 206, 208 together using known techniques, such as ultrasonic sealing.

Referring now to Figure 11, a partial cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment where the fixing strips 206, 208 are illustrated. The strips can be used with the pouch 200 of Figure 10. Generally, the cross-sectional profiles of the various components illustrated in Figure 12 extend over the entire longitudinal extent of the attachment strips 206, 208. As shown, each fastening strip 206, 208 comprises a base 230 and 232, and a sealing member 234 and 236 formed thereon, preferably in a continuous, integral manner. In a presently preferred embodiment, each fixing strip 20 06, 20 is mounted on the top edge of a corresponding wall 302, 304 of the pocket 200. The sealing members 234, 236 individually comprise a plurality of complementary sealing portions 238, 240 which, when coupled together in an engaged condition (see Figure 12), provide a substantially leakproof seal for the pocket 200. The portions of seal 238, 240 preferably have profiles in which seal members 234, 236 close when completely engaged with each other. As is known in the art, engaging complementary seal portions 238, 240 when seal members 206, 208 are fully engaged provides multiple sealing points that extend substantially along the entire longitudinal extent

14/21 of the fixing strips. Although specific profiles are shown for complementary seal portions 238, 240 for the purpose of illustration, the present invention is not limited to the profiles shown.

As further shown in Figure 11, profile 224 has two fastening strips 206, 208 which preferably comprise guide rails extended upwardly 226, 228. In a currently preferred embodiment, guide rails 226, 228 serve to retain a zipper on the fastening strips 206, 208. For this purpose, each guide rail 226, 228 preferably comprises a protrusion 230, 232. In the example illustrated in Figure 11, each protrusion 230, 232 comprises an outward facing flange, although other configurations, such as an inward facing flange, a combination of inward and outward facing flanges or a substantially circular profile can also be employed. In addition, the present invention is not limited to a specific implementation of guide rails 226, 228 and more conventional guide rail configurations (for example, along opposite sides, facing away from bases 230, 232) also be employed.

In a further aspect of the present invention, one of several sealing portions 238 of a first sealing member 234 further comprises one or more finger members 242. Although finger members 242 are illustrated as forming part of only one of the sealing portions 238 and only the first sealing member 234, it is understood that additional finger members can also be

15/21 incorporated in other of the sealing portions 238 of the first sealing member 234, or additionally in one or more of the sealing portions 240 of the second sealing member 236. In a currently preferred embodiment, the one or more finger members 242 are incorporated into a lowermost sealing portion of the plurality of sealing portions 238. In addition, each finger member 242 preferably extends laterally and / or partially upwards with respect to the sealing portion on which it is formed. Still further, where more than one finger member 242 is employed, each finger member 242 preferably extends at a different angle to the others. As described in greater detail below, particularly in Figure 17, the finger members 242 provide a sealing engagement with a complementary portion of the sealing member 236 of the second fixing strip 208 where the fixing strips 206, 208 are maintained in a partially engaged condition, that is, at the point along the longitudinal length of the fastening strips 206, 208 where a separation 312 of the zipper 300 causes the fastening strips 206, 208 to disengage.

Referring now to Figures 12-17, an exemplary zipper 300 according to the present invention is further illustrated. Generally, the zipper 300 comprises an elongated body 302 having an upper wall 304 and side walls 306, 308 extending downwardly from the upper wall 304. Although the side walls 306, 308 can extend substantially perpendicular to the upper wall 604 , they can still be tilted in relation to the upper wall 304 and, in a

16/21 embodiment of the present invention (as best illustrated in Figures 12-17), they are preferably angled inwardly approximately 2 degrees from perpendicular to the upper wall 304. At a proximal end 301 of zipper 300, a front wall 310 is provided and, similarly, a rear wall 305 is provided at a distal end 303. The front and rear walls, 310 and 305, are preferably (but not necessarily) substantially perpendicular to the top and side walls 304, 306, 308. Collectively, the top wall 304 and side walls 306, 308 form an opening 314 (Figure 12) extending along the total length of the elongated body 302, thereby allowing the fastening strips 206, 208 to pass through the zipper 300 when the zipper moves along the longitudinal extension of the fixing strips 206, 208.

As further illustrated in Figures 12-17, the zipper 300 further comprises substantially opposite inwardly facing flanges or rails 412, 420. The inwardly facing flanges 418, 420 extend substantially perpendicularly to the side walls 306, 308 although this is not a requirement and other angles can also be employed. In addition, the distal ends of the flanges 418, 420 define an opening 422 having dimensions such that the sealing members of the opposing fastening strips 206, 208 and particularly the sealing portion 238 having at least one finger member 242 and its finger portion complementary seal 340, are induced together to provide an additional degree of sealing, yet not engaging

17/21 completely, as best illustrated in Figure 17. Note that where, as in the preferred embodiment described above, side walls 306, 308 are angled inward, flanges 418, 420 can similarly be angled upwards ( relatively parallel to the top wall 034). In a currently preferred embodiment, opening 422 is configured to be less than a combined width of fastening strips 206, 208 when they are in a partially engaged condition. In another aspect of a currently preferred embodiment, the inwardly facing flanges 418, 420 are preferably formed within the front wall 310. In the same style, an additional pair of inwardly facing flanges 514, 516, defining another opening 512 between them, are similarly arranged within the rear wall 501. Additional inwardly facing flanges 514, 516 are preferably affected at an angle of the side walls 306, 308 in a substantially identical manner as the inwardly mentioned flanges first mentioned 418, 420. Those of ordinary skill in the art will consider that the inwardly facing flanges could extend over the full length of the elongated body 302 rather than being disposed only within the end walls 310, 311 of the zipper 300, although this is not currently preferred.

To retain the zipper 300 on the fixing strips 306, 308, the downward facing channels 502 and 504 are formed on the front wall 310. In a currently preferred embodiment, each channel facing towards

18/21 low, 502 and 504, is defined by side portions 306, 308 of the separator 312 and the upper surfaces of the grab rails 510, 512. Likewise, the profiles 410, 412 of the channels facing downwards, 502 and 504, substantially match the corresponding guide rail profiles 512, 510. 0 separator 312 comprises dimensions and is configured to induce the separation of the sealing members 237, 239 from the corresponding fixing strips 206, 208 without effectively extending between the sealing members 234, 23 6. When the zipper 300 crosses the fixing strips engaged the separating block 206, 208 with which the fastening strips 206, 208 disengage in this way by opening the pocket 200.

Referring to Figure 14, in the rear wall 501 additional downward-facing channels 502, 504 having profiles 506, 508 are formed that substantially match the profiles of the guide rails 512, 514. Once again, the grab rails, additional, 810 and 812 are provided to engage the protrusions 520 and 522 of the guide rails 510 and 512 thereby retaining the zipper 300 on the fixing strips 206, 208. Unlike the front wall 310, the rear wall 501 comprises closing doors 511 and 513 configured in such a way that the space provided between the closing doors 511, 513 forces together the sealing portions 234 of the first fixing strip 206 and the portions complementary sealing rings 236 of the second fixing strip 208 (see Figure 16), thereby establishing a closing condition, engaged between the fixing strips 206 and 208 and providing a substantially leak-proof seal.

19/21

Referring now to Figures 16 and 17, the operation of the zipper 300 in conjunction with the fastening strips 206, 208 is further illustrated. Specifically, when the zipper 300 is moved in the closing direction 214, the closing doors 511, 513 cause the complementary sealing portions of the sealing members 234, 236 to engage in a closure shape as shown. Again, note that the inwardly facing flanges 514 and 516 do not substantially assist in retaining the zipper 300 on the fastening strips 206, 208. On the contrary, and as shown in Figure 10, when the zipper 300 moves to the along the fastening strips 206, 208 in the opening direction 102, the separator 312 causes several complementary sealing portions 238, 240 of the sealing members 234, 236 to disengage, thereby opening the pocket. Note that, at the position of the zipper 300 along the fixing strips 206 and 208, particularly the position of the separator 312, the sealing members 234, 236 are kept in a partially engaged condition that, in the prior art devices, would cause leaks in that place. According to the present invention, however, the configuration of the inwardly facing flanges 418, 420 and the resulting opening 422 defined between them causes one or more finger members 242 to engage a corresponding portion of the opposite sealing member, thereby providing additional resistance to leakage at the point of the zipper 300 along the fastening strips 206, 208.

As seen in Figures 18-19, the fixing strip and the resealable bag 600 are revealed having first and second walls 602 and 604 and an open top

20/21

606 defined by the first and second elongated flexible attachment strip 608 and 610 attached to the first and second wall 602 and 604, respectively. Adjacent to the top of the walls one of the fixing strips 608 has a groove 612 formed therein and the other fixing strip 610 has a rib 614, substantially similar to the rib previously shown in Figures 1-5. A portion of rib 614 is received and retained within slot 612 when the top of pocket 606 is closed. Each of the fixing strips, 608 and 610, has a base 616 and 618, respectively, shown in Figure 18 and similarly in Figure 13. Each of the fixing strips, 608 and 610, has an upper horde 620 and 622, respectively , with a slide shown in Figure 3. Slide 300b is movable in a first longitudinal direction, 624, to progressively separate rib 614 from slot 608 to open the pocket. Slide 300b is movable in the opposite direction, 626, to progressively return to rib 614 to a condition retained in slot 612 to close pocket 600. As seen further in Figure 19, a support 628 is provided near an end 630 of the strip of fixation. 0 support 628 is dimensioned, constructed and arranged to receive the base 632 of the zipper 600 therein while the fixing strip 608 is sealingly engaged with the corresponding sealing portion 634 of the complementary sealing member, that is, the rib 608. The support 628 is preferably longer than the length of the zipper in order to retain the zipper 600 within the support 628. In the embodiment shown, support 628 has a flap 636 extending at an angle of approximately 45 ° from it to

21/21 encounter against, and retention of zipper 600 inside the holder

628.

In a preferred embodiment the support is substantially C-shaped in order to retain the zipper therein. By C-shape is meant that it has a lowered interior and at least one flap extending from it at an angle of 15-3 0 ° in order to lean against the zipper and retain the zipper inside the support. On the opposite side from the flap 636 is a curved edge 638 for backing against the zipper 600 in that place. As seen further in Figure 21, the end portion of the attachment strips has a point sealing section 640 in which the attachment strips are ultrasonically joined or heat sealed so that the ends of the pouch and the ends of the fixing strips will not leak.

As seen further in Figure 19 of the drawings, in a preferred embodiment the support 628 has a length of 9.78 mm and a depth of 3.3 5 mm. The base of the support is approximately 2.03 mm. All of these dimensions are, of course, subject to manufacturing variation of up to 0.25 mm.

In the embodiment shown, the tip of the support has a radius of 0.07 in order to allow easier passage of the zipper 300b over it.

Although the invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are modifications, substitutions and other changes that can be made, still within the intended scope of the invention.

1/5