Reclosable, flexible container having an externally operated fastener

A reclosable, flexible container comprising:

• (1) a pair of opposing facing generally parallel supporting walls joined at their edges to form a pouch-like structure having at least one pair of unjoined edges thereby defining an opening to the interior of the pouch-like structure;
• (2) a first mating closure element on the inner surface of one of the walls forming a part of the wall and projecting therefrom;
• (3) a second mating closure element on the inner surface of the other wall forming a part of the wall and projecting therefrom, said second mating closure element facing said first mating closure element and being located so as to releasably, interlockingly receive the first mating closure element thereby joining the heretofore unjoined edges of the pouch-like structure;
• and
• (4) disengaging means for at least partially disengaging the second mating closure element from an interlocking relationship with the first mating closure element, said disengaging means comprising a means for increasing the width of the second mating closure element, said disengaging means being located on the outer surface of the supporting wall on which the second mating closure element is located, said disengaging means forming a part of the wall and projecting therefrom.