# US 7,410,298 B2 · Closure device for a reclosable pouch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,410,298 B2 - Document ID: US7410298B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/821,341 - Filed: 2004-04-09 - Published: 2004-11-25 - Granted: 2008-08-12 - Earliest claimed: 2003-05-19 - Assignees: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc. - Inventors: James C. Pawloski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7410298B2 ## CPC - B65D 33/2566: {using two or more independently operable slide fasteners} - B65D 33/2541: {characterised by the slide fastener, e.g. adapted to interlock with a sheet between the interlocking members having sections of particular shape} - B65D 33/255: {being provided with special visual, audible or tactile indicating means, e.g. indicating proper engagement (B65D33/2516 takes precedence)} - B65D 2203/00: Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators - Y10T 24/45168: for container [e.g., bag] - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A reclosable pouch comprises a body portion having first and second bag walls. A first and a second closure mechanism are disposed on internal sides of both the first and second bag walls. The first closure mechanism includes a first female closure element having first and second spaced legs and a first male closure element. The second closure mechanism includes a second female closure element having third and fourth spaced legs and a second male closure element. The first male closure element includes two hook portions extending from an end thereof to engage the legs of the first female closure element and the second male closure element includes only one hook portion extending from an end thereof to engage one of the legs of the second female closure element. The first male closure element disengages from the first female closure element with a first external opening force and the second male closure element disengages from the second female closure element with a second external opening force that is less than the first external opening force. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A reclosable pouch, comprising: a body portion having first and second bag walls; a first closure mechanism comprising a first male closure element that is substantially symmetric about a longitudinal centerline and a first female closure element, wherein the first female closure element has first and second spaced legs that are substantially symmetric about a longitudinal centerline, and wherein the first male and first female closure elements are disposed on opposing sides of the first and second bag walls; a second closure mechanism comprising a second male closure element and a second female closure element that is substantially identical to the first female closure element, wherein the second female closure element has third and fourth spaced legs, and wherein the second male and second female closure elements are disposed on opposing sides of the first and second bag walls; and wherein the first male closure element includes two hook portions extending from an end thereof to engage the legs of the first female closure element and the second male closure element includes only one hook portion extending from an end thereof to engage one of the legs of the second female closure element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The reclosable pouch of claim 1, wherein the first male closure element disengages from the first female closure element with a first external opening force and the second male closure element disengages from the second female closure element with a second external opening force that is less than the first external opening force. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The reclosable pouch of claim 1, wherein the first closure mechanism exhibits a first closure characteristic and the second closure mechanism exhibits a second closure characteristic different than the first closure characteristic. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The reclosable pouch of claim 3, wherein the first closure characteristic comprises a clicking feel when the pouch is closed. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The reclosable pouch of claim 3, wherein the second closure characteristic comprises a first resistance to an external opening force applied to a first side of the second closure mechanism and a second resistance to an internal opening force applied to a second side of the second closure mechanism wherein the second resistance is greater than the first resistance. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The reclosable pouch of claim 5, wherein the first side of the second closure mechanism is disposed nearer a top of the pouch than the second side. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The reclosable pouch of claim 1, wherein the first closure mechanism is disposed nearer a top of the pouch than the second closure mechanism. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The reclosable pouch of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second closure mechanisms includes male and female closure elements and wherein the first female closure element of the first closure mechanism is adjacent the second male closure element of the second closure mechanism on the first bag wall and the first male closure element of the first closure mechanism is adjacent the second female closure element of the second closure mechanism on the second bag wall. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The reclosable pouch of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second closure mechanisms includes male and female closure elements and wherein the first female closure element of the first closure mechanism is adjacent the second female closure element of the second closure mechanism on the first bag wall and the first male closure element of the first closure mechanism is adjacent the second male closure element of the second closure mechanism on the second bag wall. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The reclosable pouch of claim 1, wherein the first male closure element engages with the first female closure element with a first closing force and the second male closure element engages the second female closure element with a second closing force. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The reclosable pouch of claim 1, wherein an overall closing force is in a range of about 0.20 to about 0.30 lb. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The reclosable pouch of claim 1, wherein the second male closure element is substantially asymmetric about a longitudinal centerline. ### Claim 13 A reclosable pouch, comprising: a body portion having first and second bag walls; a first closure mechanism comprising a first male closure element that is substantially symmetric about a longitudinal centerline and a first female closure element, wherein the first female closure element has first and second spaced legs that are substantially symmetric about a longitudinal centerline, and wherein the first male and first female closure elements are disposed on opposing sides of the first and second bag walls; a second closure mechanism comprising a second male closure element and a second female closure element that is substantially symmetrical with the first female closure element, wherein the second female closure element has third and fourth spaced legs, and wherein the second male and second female closure elements are disposed on opposing sides of the first and second bag walls; and wherein the first male closure element includes two hook portions extending from an end thereof to engage the legs of the first female closure element and the second male closure element includes only one hook portion extending from an end thereof to engage one of the legs of the second female closure element, such that the first male closure element disengages from the first female closure element with a first opening force and the second male closure element disengages from the second female closure element with a second opening force that is different than the first opening force. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The reclosable pouch of claim 13, wherein a first external opening force of the first male and female closure elements is greater than a second external opening force of the second male and female elements. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The reclosable pouch of claim 13, wherein the first closure mechanism exhibits a first closure characteristic and the second closure mechanism exhibits a second closure characteristic different than the first closure characteristic. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The reclosable pouch of claim 15, wherein the first closure characteristic comprises a clicking feel when the pouch is closed. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The reclosable pouch of claim 15, wherein the second closure characteristic comprises a first resistance to an external opening force applied to a first side of the second closure mechanism and a second resistance to an internal opening force applied to a second side of the second closure mechanism wherein the second resistance is greater than the first resistance. ### Claim 18 A reclosable pouch, comprising: a body portion having first and second bag walls; a first closure mechanism comprising a first male closure element and a first female closure element, wherein the first female closure element has first and second spaced legs, and wherein the first male and first female closure elements are disposed on opposing sides of the first and second bag walls; a second closure mechanism comprising a second male closure element and a second female closure element, wherein the second female closure element has third and fourth spaced legs, and wherein the second male and second female closure elements are disposed on opposing sides of the first and second bag walls; wherein the first male closure element includes two hook portions extending from an end thereof to engage the legs of the first female closure element and the second male closure element includes only one hook portion extending from an end thereof to engage one of the legs of the second female closure element, such that the first male closure element engages with the first female closure element with a first closing force and the second male closure element engages with the second female closure element with a second closing force that is different than the first closing force; and wherein the first closing force of the first male and female closure elements is less than the second closing force of the second male and female elements. ### Claim 19 A zipper tape, comprising: a first zipper tape portion and a second zipper tape portion, wherein the first zipper tape portion includes a first inner surface and the second zipper tape portion includes a second inner surface; a first closure mechanism comprising a first male closure element that is substantially symmetric about a longitudinal centerline and a first female closure element, wherein the first female closure element has first and second spaced legs that are substantially symmetric about a longitudinal centerline, and wherein the first male and first female closure elements are disposed on opposing sides of the first and second inner surfaces; a second closure mechanism comprising a second male closure element and a second female closure element that is substantially identical to the first female closure element, wherein the second female closure element has third and fourth spaced legs, and wherein the second male and second female closure elements are disposed on opposing sides of the first and second inner surfaces; and wherein the first male closure element includes two hook portions extending from an end thereof to engage the legs of the first female closure element and the second male closure element includes only one hook portion extending from an end thereof to engage one of the legs of the second female closure element. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The zipper tape of claim 19, wherein each of the first and second closure mechanisms includes male and female closure elements and wherein the first female closure element of the first closure mechanism is adjacent the second male closure element of the second closure mechanism on the first inner surface and the first male closure element of the first closure mechanism is adjacent the second female closure element of the second closure mechanism on the second inner surface. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The zipper tape of claim 19, wherein the second male closure element is substantially asymmetric about a longitudinal centerline. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The reclosable pouch of claim 18, wherein the first closure mechanism is disposed nearer the top of the pouch than the second side.