Resealable package having a reinforced slider device

A recloseable zipper arrangement, comprising:

• (a) a first closure profile;
• (b) a second closure profile;
• (i) said first and second closure profiles being constructed and arranged to interlock;
• and
• (c) a slider device operably mounted on said recloseable zipper arrangement for selectively opening and closing said recloseable zipper arrangement;
• said slider device having a first end and a second end opposite said first end;
• said slider device including:
• (i) a top wall;
• (ii) a first sidewall depending from said top wall;
• (iii) a second sidewall depending from said top wall opposite said first sidewall;
• (iv) a first rib member integral with and extending outwardly from said top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (A) said first rib member being positioned proximate to said first end of said slider device;
• (1) said first rib member being positioned at least about 0.08 inches from said first end of said slider device;
• (v) a second rib member integral with and extending outwardly from said top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (A) said second rib member being positioned proximate to said second end of said slider device;
• and
• (1) said second rib member being positioned at least about 0.08 inches from said second end of said slider device.

A slider device for use with a resealable package having interlocking closure members;

• the slider device comprising:
• (a) a top wall;
• (b) a first sidewall depending from said top wall;
• (c) a second sidewall depending from said top wall opposite said first sidewall;
• and
• (d) a first rib member integral with and extending outwardly from said top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (i) said first rib member being constructed and arranged to reinforce said top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (ii) said first rib member being positioned proximate to a first end of said slider device;
• (iii) said top wall and each of said sidewalls having a region of greatest cross-sectional wall thickness at said first rib member;
• (iv) said first rib member being positioned at least about 0.08 inches from said first end of said slider device;
• and
• (e) a second rib member integral with and extending outwardly from said top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (i) said second rib member being constructed and arranged to reinforce said top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (ii) said second rib member being positioned proximate to a second end of said slider device;
• (iii) said top wall and each of said sidewalls having a region of greatest cross-sectional wall thickness at said second rib member;
• and
• (iv) said second rib member being positioned at least about 0.08 inches from said second end of said slider device.

A method of using a resealable package comprising steps of:

• (a) providing a package having a resealable mouth and resealable zipper arrangement with a slider device thereover for closing and opening the mouth;
• the slider device having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
• the slider device comprising:
• (i) a top wall;
• (ii) a first sidewall depending from the top wall;
• (iii) a second sidewall depending from the top wall opposite the first sidewall;
• and
• (iv) first and second rib members integral with and extending outwardly from the top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (A) the first and second rib members being constructed and arranged to reinforce the top wall and each of the first and second sidewalls;
• (B) the first rib member being positioned at least about 0.08 inches from the first end of the slider device;
• (C) the second rib member being positioned at least about 0.08 inches from the second end of the slider device;
• and
• (b) moving the slider device along the resealable closure mechanism in a first direction to close the resealable closure mechanism.

A flexible package comprising:

• (a) a package surrounding wall defining an interior and a mouth providing access to said interior;
• (b) a resealable closure mechanism along said mouth for selective closing and opening of said mouth;
• said resealable closure mechanism including first and second closure profiles;
• (i) said first and second closure profiles being constructed and arranged to interlock;
• and
• (c) a slider device operably mounted on said resealable closure mechanism for selectively opening and closing said resealable closure mechanism said slider device having a first end and a second end opposite said first end;
• said slider device including:
• (i) a top wall;
• (ii) a first sidewall depending from said top wall;
• (iii) a second sidewall depending from said top wall opposite said first sidewall;
• (iv) a first rib member integral with and extending outwardly from said top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (A) said first rib member being positioned proximate to said first end of said slider device;
• (v) a second rib member integral with and extending outwardly from said top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (A) said second rib member being positioned proximate to said second end of said slider device;
• (vi) said first sidewall defining a first arcuate surface between said first and second rib members extending outwardly from said first side wall;
• and
• (vii) said second sidewall defining a second arcuate surface between said first and second rib members extending outwardly from said second sidewall.

A recloseable zipper arrangement, comprising:

• (a) a first closure profile;
• (b) a second closure profile;
• (i) said first and second closure profiles being constructed and arranged to interlock;
• and
• (c) a slider device operably mounted on said recloseable zipper arrangement for selectively opening and closing said recloseable zipper arrangement;
• said slider device having a first end and a second end opposite said first end;
• said slider device including:
• (i) a top wall;
• (ii) a first sidewall depending from said top wall;
• (iii) a second sidewall depending from said top wall opposite said first sidewall;
• (iv) a first rib member integral with and extending outwardly from said top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (A) said first rib member being positioned proximate to said first end of said slider device;
• (v) a second rib member integral with and extending outwardly from said top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (A) said second rib member being positioned proximate to said second end of said slider device;
• (vi) said first sidewall defining a first arcuate surface between said first and second rib members extending outwardly from said first side wall;
• and
• (vii) said second sidewall defining a second arcuate surface between said first and second rib members extending outwardly from said second sidewall.

A slider device for use with a resealable package having interlocking closure members;

• the slider device comprising:
• (a) a top wall;
• (b) a first sidewall depending from said top wall;
• (c) a second sidewall depending from said top wall opposite said first sidewall;
• and
• (d) a first rib member integral with and extending outwardly from said top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (i) said first rib member being constructed and arranged to reinforce said top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (ii) said first rib member being positioned proximate to a first end of said slider device;
• (iii) said top wall and each of said sidewalls having a region of greatest cross-sectional wall thickness at said first rib member;
• (e) a second rib member integral with and extending outwardly from said top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (i) said second rib member being constructed and arranged to reinforce said top wall and each of said first and second sidewalls;
• (ii) said second rib member being positioned proximate to a second end of said slider device;
• and
• (iii) said top wall and each of said sidewalls having a region of greatest cross-sectional wall thickness at said second rib member;
• (f) said first sidewall defining a first arcuate surface between said first and second rib members extending outwardly from said first side wall;
• and
• (g) said second sidewall defining a second arcuate surface between said first and second rib members extending outwardly from said second sidewall.

A method of removing a slider device from a resealable zipper;

• the method comprising:
• (a) providing a slider device operably oriented on the resealable zipper;
• the slider device comprising:
• (i) a top wall;
• and
• (ii) a first sidewall depending from the top wall;
• (iii) a second sidewall depending from the top wall opposite the first sidewall;
• (A) the top wall and each of the sidewalls having a first and second rib member integral with and extending outwardly therefrom;
• each of the first and second rib members being constructed and arranged to reinforce the top wall and each of the first and second sidewalls;
• (iv) a first arcuate surface between the first and second rib members;
• the first arcuate surface constructed and arranged to reinforce the first sidewall;
• (v) a second arcuate surface between the first and second rib members;
• the second arcuate surface constructed and arranged to reinforce the second sidewall;
• (b) flexing the sidewalls apart from each other and against a force of the reinforcing ribs to remove the slider device from the recloseable zipper.