Reclosable fasteners or zippers for use with polymeric bags

A reclosable fastener for use with bags having an interior space adapted to receive material, the reclosable fastener comprising:

• a first track comprising a first profile, the first profile being a general c-shape and further including two generally thin walled deflection shields, the general c-shape being formed from two extensions spaced apart and attached to a first portion, the two extensions having respective outer ends each spaced from the first portion, each of the two generally thin walled deflection shields being attached near a respective one of the outer ends of the two extensions so as to prevent or inhibit material from entering the interior area of the first profile;
• and
• a second track comprising a second profile, the first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other,
• wherein the generally thin walled deflection shields are spaced slightly apart so as to allow a portion of the second profile to enter into the interior area formed by the general c-shape section.