# US RE44,934 E1 · Zipper and zipper arrangements and methods of manufacturing the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US RE44,934 E1 - Document ID: USRE44934E1 - Status: Granted - Kind: E1 - Application number: 10/652,572 - Filed: 2003-08-29 - Granted: 2014-06-10 - Earliest claimed: 1999-05-10 - Assignees: Reynolds Presto Products Inc. - Applicants: Alexander R. Provan; Thomas L. Coomber; Ian J. Barclay; David V. Dobreski; Toby R. Thomas - Inventors: Alexander R. Provan; Thomas L. Coomber; Ian J. Barclay; David V. Dobreski; Toby R. Thomas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/USRE44934E1 ## Abstract A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags that includes a zipper and at least one slider. The zipper includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track has a first profile and the second track has a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The first track has one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the first profile. At least one slider is inserted onto the first profile via a respective one of the primary notches. The slider is adapted to engage and disengage the first and second profiles in response to movement along the zipper. The second track may have one or more to spaced primary notches interrupting the second profile. The spaced primary notches of the second track are generally aligned to respective ones of the primary notches of the first track. At least one slider is inserted onto the aligned pairs of primary notches via a respective one of the generally aligned notches. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising: a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and said second track having a second profile, said first and second profiles being releasable engageable to each other, said first track having one or more spaced primary notches interrupting said first profile; wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin, and at least one slider inserted onto said first profile via one of said primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper. ### Claim 2 A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising: a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and said second track having a second profile, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other, said first track having one or more spaced primary notches interrupting said first profile; and at least one slider inserted onto said first profile via one of said primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper, wherein a depth of said primary notches is less than an internal opening of said slider. ### Claim 3 A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising: a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and said second track having a second profile, said first and second profiles being releasable engageable to each other, said first track having one or more spaced primary notches interrupting said first profile; at least one slider inserted onto said first profile via one of said primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper, wherein said slider is pushed downward onto said second profile. ### Claim 4 A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising: a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form one or more aligned pairs of primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other; wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile, wherein said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profile, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin, and at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via one of said aligned pairs of primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper. ### Claim 5 A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising: a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form one or more aligned pairs of primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other; and at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via one of said aligned pairs of primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper, wherein a depth of said first primary notches is less than an internal opening of said sliders. ### Claim 6 A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising: a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form one or more aligned pairs of primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other; wherein a depth of said first primary notches is less than an internal opening of said sliders; and at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via one of said aligned pairs of primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper, wherein a depth of said second primary notches is less than an internal opening of said sliders. ### Claim 7 A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising: a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form one or more aligned pairs of primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other; wherein said first track includes one or more first secondary notches and said second track includes one or more second secondary notches, said second secondary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first secondary notches to form aligned pairs of secondary notches, said first and second secondary notches extending at least partially into said respective first and second profiles, and at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via one of said aligned pairs of primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipped. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The zipper arrangement of claim 7, wherein said slider includes a respective separator finger that extends at least partially between said first and second profiles to aid in disengaging said first and second profiles as said slider is moved along said zipper, at least one of said aligned pairs of secondary notches being adapted to engage said separator finger of one of said respective slider. ### Claim 9 A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising: a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form one or more aligned pairs of primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasable engageable to each other; wherein said first track includes one or more first secondary notches and said second track includes one or more second secondary notches, said second secondary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first secondary notches to form aligned pairs of secondary notches, said first and second secondary notches extending at least partially into said respective first and second profiles; wherein said first primary notches merge into respective ones of said first and secondary notches, and at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via one of said aligned pairs of primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper, at least one of said aligned pairs of secondary notches being adapted to park a respective one of said sliders. ### Claim 10 A folded zipper for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper comprising: first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form aligned pairs of primary notches said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other; said zipper including a plurality of fold areas generally transverse to a length of said zipper and aligned with respective ones of said aligned pairs of notches, said zipper being folded along said fold areas. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The folded zipper of claim 10, wherein said zipper is folded in a general shape of an accordion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The folded zipper of claim 10, wherein said fold areas divide said zipper into a plurality of zipper segments, said zipper segments of said folded zipper being generally parallel to each other. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The folded zipper of claim 10, wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile and said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profile. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The folded zipper of claim 13, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The folded zipper of claim 10, further including at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via a respective one of said aligned pairs of primary notches before said zipper is folded along said fold areas so as to form a folded zipper arrangement said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The folded zipper of claim 15, wherein said at least one slider is a plurality of sliders. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The folded zipper of claim 10, wherein said fold areas include respective fold lines to assist in folding said zipper. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The folded zipper of claim 10, wherein said zipper further includes a breakable line of weakness or an area of weakness in said fold areas to assist in detaching portions of said zipper. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The folded zipper of claim 10, wherein said one or more first spaced primary notches is a plurality of first spaced primary notches and said one or more second spaced primary notches is a plurality of second spaced primary notches. ### Claim 20 A method of making a folded zipper for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said method comprising: providing a zipper comprising a zipper, said zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form aligned pairs of primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other, said zipper including a plurality of fold areas generally transverse to a length of said zipper and aligned with respective ones of said aligned pairs of notches; and folding said zipper along said fold areas. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein said step of folding said zipper includes folding said zipper in a general shape of an accordion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein said fold areas divide said zipper into a plurality of zipper segments, and wherein said step of folding said zipper is performed in a manner such that said zipper segments are generally parallel to each other. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile and said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profile. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin. ### Claim 25 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein said zipper further includes at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via a respective one of said aligned pairs of primary notches before said zipper is folded along said fold areas so as to form a folded zipper arrangement, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein said at least one slider is a plurality of sliders. ### Claim 27 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein said fold areas include respective fold lines to assist in folding said zipper. ### Claim 28 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein said zipper further includes a breakable line of weakness or an area of weakness in said fold areas to assist in detaching portions of said zipper. ### Claim 29 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein said one or more first spaced primary notches is a plurality of first spaced primary notches and said one or more second spaced primary notches is a plurality of second spaced primary notches. ### Claim 30 A method of placing a slider onto a zipper, said method comprising: providing said zipper, said zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and said second track having a second profile, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other, said first track having one or more spaced primary notches interrupting said first profile; providing at least one slider, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper; mounting said slider onto said second profile and into a respective one of said primary notches; and sliding said slider onto said first profile via a respective one of said primary notches. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, wherein said at least one slider is a plurality of sliders. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32, wherein said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profile. ### Claim 34 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, wherein said slider comprises a first side wall, a second side wall and transverse body member bridging said first and second side walls, said transverse body member including a separator finger. ### Claim 35 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, wherein said slider comprises a separator finger, said separator finger extending at least partially between said first and second profiles so as to disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper. ### Claim 36 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, further including a step of positioning said slider so that a separator finger of said slider remains between said first profile and said second profile. ### Claim 37 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, wherein said one or more first spaced primary notches is a plurality of first spaced primary notches. ### Claim 38 A method of placing a slider onto a zipper, said method comprising: providing said zipper, said zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and said second track having a second profile, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other, said first track having one or more spaced primary notches interrupting said first profile; wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile, wherein said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profiles, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin, providing at least one slider, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper; mounting said slider onto said second profile and into a respective one of said primary notches; and sliding said slider onto said first profile via a respective one of said primary notches. ### Claim 39 A method of placing a slider onto a zipper, said method comprising: providing said zipper, said zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile, wherein said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profile, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin, said second track having a second profile and one or more plurality of spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form generally aligned pairs of primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other; providing at least one slider, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper; positioning said slider in a respective one of said aligned pairs of primary notches; and sliding said slider onto said first and second profiles via a respective one of said aligned pairs of primary notches. ### Claim 40 A folded zipper for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper comprising: first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced slits interrupting said second profile, said slits being generally aligned with respective ones of said primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other; said zipper including a plurality of fold areas generally transverse to a length of said zipper and generally aligned with respective ones of said aligned slits and primary notches, said zipper being folded along said fold areas. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The folded zipper of claim 40, wherein said zipper is folded in a general shape of an accordion. ### Claim 42 (depends on 40) The folded zipper of claim 40, wherein said fold areas divide said zipper into a plurality of zipper segments, said zipper segments of said folded zipper being generally parallel to each other. ### Claim 43 (depends on 40) The folded zipper of claim 40, wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile and said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profile. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The folded zipper of claim 43, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin. ### Claim 45 (depends on 40) The folded zipper of claim 40, further including at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via a respective one of said primary notches before said zipper is folded along said fold areas so as to form a folded zipper arrangement, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The folded zipper of claim 45, wherein said at least one slider is a plurality of sliders. ### Claim 47 (depends on 40) The folded zipper of claim 40, wherein said fold areas include respective fold lines to assist in folding said zipper. ### Claim 48 (depends on 40) The folded zipper of claim 40, wherein said zipper further includes a breakable line of weakness or an area of weakness in said fold areas to assist in detaching portions of said zipper. ### Claim 49 (depends on 40) The folded zipper of claim 40, wherein said one or more first spaced primary notches is a plurality of first spaced primary notches. ### Claim 50 (depends on 40) The folded zipper of claim 40, wherein said one or more spaced slits is a plurality of spaced slits. ### Claim 51 A method of making a folded zipper for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said method comprising: providing a zipper comprising a zipper, said zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced slits interrupting said second profile, said slits being generally aligned with respective ones of said primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other, said zipper including a plurality of fold areas generally transverse to a length of said zipper and generally aligned with respective ones of said aligned slits and primary notches; and folding said zipper along said fold areas. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The method of claim 51, wherein said step of folding said zipper includes folding said zipper in a general shape of an accordion. ### Claim 53 (depends on 51) The method of claim 51, wherein said fold areas divide said zipper into a plurality of zipper segments, and wherein said step of folding said zipper is performed in a manner such that said zipper segments are generally parallel to each other. ### Claim 54 (depends on 51) The method of claim 51, wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile and said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profile. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) The method of claim 54, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin. ### Claim 56 (depends on 51) The method of claim 51, wherein said zipper further includes at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via a respective one of said primary notches before said zipper is folded along said fold areas so as to form a folded zipper arrangement, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper. ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) The method of claim 56, wherein said at least one slider is a plurality of sliders. ### Claim 58 (depends on 51) The method of claim 51, wherein said fold areas include respective fold lines to assist in folding said zipper. ### Claim 59 (depends on 51) The method of claim 51, wherein said zipper further includes a breakable line of weakness or an area of weakness in said fold areas to assist in detaching portions of said zipper. ### Claim 60 (depends on 51) The method of claim 51, wherein said one or more first spaced primary notches is a plurality of first spaced primary notches. ### Claim 61 (depends on 51) The method of claim 51, wherein said one or more spaced slits is a plurality of spaced slits. ### Claim 62 A method of forming and filling a package, said method comprising: providing a zipper having one or more spaced primary notches interrupting a portion of said zipper; mounting a slider onto said zipper via a respective one of said primary notches, said slider being adapted to open and close said zipper; attaching said zipper to a web of thermoplastic film; forming said zipper-carrying web of film into a package having an open end; filling said package via said open end with a product; and wherein said step of mounting said slider occurs before said step of attaching said zipper. ### Claim 63 A method of forming and filling a package, said method comprising; providing a zipper having one or more spaced primary notches interrupting a portion of said zipper; wherein said zipper includes first and second opposing profiles releasably engageable to each other and a first fin extending downward from said first profile; wherein said zipper includes a second fin extending downward from said second profile; wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin, mounting a slider onto said zipper via a respective one of said primary notches, said slider being adapted to open and close said zipper; attaching said zipper to a web of thermoplastic film; forming said zipper-carrying web of film into a package having an open end; and filling said package via said open end with a product. ### Claim 64 (depends on 62) The method of claim 62, wherein said zipper further includes a plurality of fold areas and a breakable line of weakness or an area of weakness in said fold areas to assist in detaching portions of said zipper.