WO2020092252A2

WO2020092252A2 - Closure strip of adjacent closure devices

Info

Publication number: WO2020092252A2
Application number: PCT/US2019/058370
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger Keith Hart
Original assignee: Kwik Lok Corporation
Priority date: 2018-10-29
Filing date: 2019-10-28
Publication date: 2020-05-07
Also published as: WO2020092252A3

Abstract

A closure strip including a plurality of closures joined together in series, wherein each closure includes a hook that overlaps with a hook of an adjacent closure to form a web with a transition portion spaced from the adjacent closures. During processing, the closures are separated at the web, wherein the geometries of the overlapping hooks minimizes the bending load of the web, thus creating a high stress state that eliminates areas of compression to result in a clean break of the web without producing residue or a jagged edge on the side of the closure.

Description

CLOSURE STRIP OF ADJACENT CLOSURE DEVICES

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally pertains to closures having a cavity for holding closed the neck of a flexible bag, and more particularly, to closure strips formed of adjacent closures joined together by a web formed of overlapping hooks extending from the closures, which strip can be separated into individual closures during processing by breaking the web.

Description of the Related Art

Closure strips consisting of a plurality of closures connected in series are known. The individual closures that are broken from the strip during processing are commonly used for holding closed the necks of flexible plastic bags. For example, commercial bakeries separate strips into individual closures and use the closures to hold close the necks of bread bags containing freshly baked bread. Closure strips are manufactured by joining together some portion of adjacent strips. In some cases, the coupling between closures is done by simply connecting a sidewall of adjacent closures. In other cases, the closures have a small protrusion to facilitate the coupling. Then, the closures are separated, preferably by an automatic machine, by breaking the connecting material which interconnects adjacent closures in the strip after the bag neck to be closed is pushed into the closure.

However, there are several issues with the current manufacturing methods for such closure strips. For example, the machine for automatically applying and separating the closures from the strips will not break the connecting material between the closures cleanly, leaving an undesirable jagged tab protruding from sides of the closures. Further, even in machines where breaks do not produce jagged edges, the machines often will not break the connecting material cleanly due to the structure and orientation of the connecting material, leaving a reside of pieces, typically plastic pieces, around the machinery. These residue pieces are objectionable in packaging operations, especially those involving food products, because of the possibility of the residue pieces getting into and contaminating the product package. Such residue pieces also pose a health and safety concern if they are allowed to pile up around the machinery.

A further challenge arises because the connecting material in these strips of closures should have sufficient strength such that the connecting material, in strip form, will not break prematurely during handling when the closures in the strip are subjected to forces perpendicular to the plane of the closure. This type of bending is quite frequent during handling, as the strips are typically wound and stored in large coils, thus subjecting the strips to

problematic bending forces perpendicular to the plane of the closure.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A first implementation of a closure strip may be summarized as including: a first closure including a first hook with a first width; a second closure coupled to the first closure and including a second hook with a second width greater than the first width; and a first web including the second hook integrated with the first hook.

The implementation may further include: the first closure further including a first protrusion and the second closure further including a second protrusion; a second web connecting the first closure and the second closure, the second web including the first protrusion of the first closure integrated with the second protrusion of the second closure; the first web structured to separate along a first line extending in a first direction and a second direction at a first angle to horizontal between 13 and 17 degrees; the second web structured to separate along a second line extending in a third direction opposite to the first direction and the second direction at a second angle to horizontal between 13 and 17 degrees; the first angle being approximately 15 degrees and the second angle being approximately 15 degrees; the first angle being approximately 15 degrees and the second angle being greater than 15 degrees; the first hook extending in a first direction and a second direction before curving to extend in the second direction and a third direction opposite to the first direction; and the second hook extending in the third direction and a fourth direction opposite to the second direction before turning to extend in the first direction and the fourth direction.

A second implementation of a closure strip may be summarized as including: a first closure including a first protrusion and a second protrusion; a second closure including a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion; a first web including the first protrusion coupled to the third protrusion, the first web having a first thickness; and a second web including the second protrusion coupled to the fourth protrusion, the second web having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness.

The second implementation may further include: the first web being structured to separate along a first line at a first angle to horizontal that is approximately 15 degrees; the second web structured to separate along a second line at a second angle to horizontal that is approximately 15 degrees; the first line extending in a first direction and the second line extending in a second direction opposite the first direction; the first protrusion having a first width and the second protrusion having a second width that is equal to the first width; the third protrusion having a third width and the fourth protrusion having a fourth width greater than the third width; and the fourth width of the fourth protrusion being greater than the second width of the second protrusion.

A third implementation of a closure may be summarized as including: a body having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a first hook extending from the first side in a first direction, the first hook having a first width; a first protrusion extending from the first side, the first protrusion having a second width less than the first width; a second hook extending from the second side, the second hook having a third width less than the second width; and a second protrusion extending from the second side.

The third implementation may further include: the first hook including an edge with a thickness of approximately 0.05 inches; the second protrusion including an edge with a thickness of approximately 0.04 inches; and the second hook terminating at a first end at a first angle to horizontal in a first direction and the second protrusion terminating at a second end at a second angle to horizontal equal to the first angle in a second direction opposite the first direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility.

Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are not necessarily intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and may have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan view of an implementation of a portion of a closure strip illustrating adjacent closures joined together by a web formed from overlapping hooks extending from the adjacent closures;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of the closure strip of Figure 1 illustrating the web in additional detail; and

Figure 3 is a plan view of an alternative implementation of a portion of a closure strip illustrating adjacent closures joined together by a web formed from overlapping hooks extending from the adjacent closures. Figure 4 is a plan view of an alternative implementation of a portion of a closure strip illustrating adjacent closures joined together by a web of overlapping hooks extending from the adjacent closures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is generally directed to a closure strip comprised of a plurality of closures joined together in series. Each closure includes a hook that overlaps, and is integrated with, the hook of an adjacent closure to form a web that couples the closures together in series. During processing, the closures are separated at the web, wherein the geometries of the overlapping hooks minimizes the bending load of the web, thus creating a high stress state that eliminates areas of compression to result in a clean break of the web without producing residue or a jagged edge on the side of the closure.

Figure 1 is a plan view of one implementation of a closure strip 100 having a plurality of closures 102 coupled together in series. Although Figure 1 only illustrates a first closure 104 coupled to a second closure 106, it is to be understood that manufacturing of the closure strip 100 includes the plurality of closures 102 including ten or more, twenty or more, thirty or more, forty or more, fifty or more, or even one hundred or more closures 104, 106 forming the closure strip 100, and that only a first and second closure 104, 106 are illustrated to avoid obscuring features of the implementation. In an implementation, each of the plurality of closures 102 is flat and planar and semi-rigid. In this context only,“semi-rigid” means stiff and solid, but not inflexible.

Preferably, all of the plurality of closures 102 are identical (i.e. each closure includes the same features with the same dimensions in the same orientation) or substantially identical, although in other implementations, features vary between closures. In this context only,“substantially identical” means within a 3% margin of error for all features of the implementation (i.e. a closure with a width of 1 inch is substantially identical to a closure with a width between .97 and 1.03 inches, all other features being the same). While the following discussion focuses on the features of first closure 104, it is to be appreciated that the second closure 106, or any of the closures within the plurality of closures 102 of the closure strip 100 can include some or all of the features described with reference to the first closure 104.

The first closure 104 includes a body 108 bound by an outer edge 110 that includes a first side 112, a second side 114, a third side 116, and a fourth side 118. The first side 110 is opposite the second side 114 and the third side 116 is opposite the fourth side 118 such that the closure 104 has a generally square or rectangular appearance, with various protrusions, indentations, and cavities in the outer edge 110, as described herein. Further, in an implementation, the first side 112 is a left side, the second side 114 is a right side, the third side 116 is a top side and the fourth side 118 is a bottom side of the first closure 104.

The body 108 further includes a cavity 120 extending through the body 108 and defined, at least in part, by a first arm 122 and a second arm 124 integrated with and extending from the body 108. The first and second arms 122, 124 are positioned with a small opening 126 between them, such that each arm 122, 124 can flex to receive and secure a portion of a flexible package (not shown), such as a bag, between them. In other words, during operation, the arms 122, 124 flex slightly to widen the opening 126 to receive the flexible package (not shown), the package (not shown) is received in the cavity 120, and the arms 122, 124 return to their original position to secure the package (not shown) in the cavity 120.

The first side 112 of the first closure 104 includes a first protrusion 128 extending from the first side 112 proximate a first portion 136 of the body 108. In an implementation, the first portion 136 is an upper portion of the body 108 and the first protrusion 128 is a rounded protrusion, while in other implementations, the first protrusion 128 has a square, triangular, trapezoidal, or any other rectilinear shape. The first side 112 also includes a first hook 130 extending from a second portion 138 of the body 108, wherein in an

implementation, the second portion 138 is a base or bottom portion of the body 108. The first hook 130 will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 2. Above, and defining part of, the first hook 130 is a first cavity 140 extending into the first side 112 of the body 108 and terminating at a first apex 137 defined, at least in part, by the first hook 130. The first cavity 140 is separated from the first protrusion 128 by a distance D1. In other words, the first protrusion 128 is spaced from the first cavity 140 by the distance D1 along a height of the first closure 104, and the first protrusion 128 is spaced from the first hook 130 by the distance D1 and the first cavity 140 along the height of the height of the first closure 104.

The second side 114 includes a second protrusion 132 extending from the second side 114, wherein the second protrusion 132 is preferably rounded, but may also be square, triangular, trapezoidal, or any other rectilinear shape. A second cavity 142 is formed into the second side 114 proximate the second protrusion 132. The second side 114 also includes a second hook 134 extending from the second side 114 proximate the second portion 138. The second hook 134 is defined, at least in part, by a third cavity 143, and will be described in additional detail with reference to Figure 2. The third cavity 143 terminates in a second apex 139 that is defined, at least in part, by the second hook 134. The second cavity 142 is spaced from the second hook 134 by a distance D2, or in other words, the second protrusion 132 is spaced from the second hook 134 along the height of the closure 104 by the distance D2 and the second cavity 142. Preferably, the distance D2 is equivalent (i.e. within .005 inches (“in”)) to the distance D1. Flowever, in other implementations, the distance D2 is less than the Distance D1 by 0.01 in, 02in, .03 in., 04in, 05in.,

0.1 in, 0.15in, 0.2in, 0.25in, 0.3in, 0.35in, 0.4in, 0.45in, or 0.5in. In yet further alternatives, the distance D2 is greater than the distance D1 by any of the dimensions referenced above between 0.01 in and 0.5 in. Preferably, the first hook 130 has a rounded outer edge and a thickness that tapers along its length and as such, the first hook 130 extends in a first direction and a second direction before turning to extend in a third direction opposite to the first direction and the second direction. In the implementation shown in Figures 1 -2, the first hook 130 extends to the left and up before turning to extend up and to the right relative to the base or second portion 138 of the first closure 104. The second hook 134 is preferably a mirror image of the first hook 130 about a horizontal axis and therefore, the second hook 134 preferably extends in the third direction (i.e. right) and a fourth direction (i.e. down) opposite to the second direction (i.e. up) before turning to extend in the first direction (i.e. left) and the fourth direction (i.e. down).

As will be explained in greater detail herein, the second protrusion 132 on the second side 114 of the first closure 104 of the plurality of closures 102 is coupled to the first protrusion 128 of the second closure 106 (which is preferably adjacent to the first closure 104), wherein the first protrusion 128 of the second closure 106 is received in the second cavity 142. Similarly, the second hook 134 of the first closure 104 overlaps and is integrally formed with the first hook 130 of the second closure 106 to form a web 144, wherein the second hook 134 of the first closure 104 is received, at least in part, in the first cavity 140 of the second closure 106 and the first hook 130 of the second closure 106 is received, at least in part, by the third cavity 143 formed in the second side 114 of the first closure 104. As such, the first closure 104 is preferably coupled to the second closure 106 by both the connection between the protrusions 128, 132 and the web 144 between adjacent closures of the plurality of closures 102. Alternatively, the first closure 104 may be coupled to the second closure 106 by only one of the two connections described above. Although not specifically illustrated, it is also to be understood that the first protrusion 128 and the second protrusion 132 can be replaced by a second pair of hooks, which are identical or substantially identical to hooks 130, 134. Dashed line 146 runs along a central axis of the connection between the protrusions 128, 132 and is preferably at an angle 149 to

horizontal (represented by dashed line 147) anywhere between 0 (i.e. parallel) to 15 degrees or in some instances, approximately 15 degrees. As such, dashed line 146 can also be said to be an angle relative to vertical of between 75 to 90 degrees, but preferably approximately 75 degrees. In this context only,“approximately” means within plus or minus 3 degrees (i.e. between 12 and 18 degrees relative to horizontal). The connection between the protrusions 128, 132 can also be described as a web of material, wherein the protrusions 128, 132 are formed as a single, unitary, integral component and the web is separated during processing along dashed line 146.

Preferably, when the first closure 104 is separated from the second closure 106 during manufacturing or processing, the connection between the protrusions 128, 132 experiences uniform tensile loads, which lead to a clean break between the protrusions 128, 132 along dashed line 146.

Such tensile loads are preferably created by a force F applied where indicated in Figure 1 along an upper edge of second closure 106 proximate the

protrusions 128, 132. As such, the force F causes the second closure 106 to separate from the closure strip 100, while first closure 104 remains coupled to the closure strip 100, although not specifically illustrated. Put another way, the uniform tensile load experienced by the connection between the protrusions 128, 132 produces no residue when the closures 104, 106 are separated at the connection between the protrusions 128, 132 along dashed line 146, which line 146 is representative of a typical break line between the protrusions 128, 132. The connection 146 between the protrusions 128, 132 has a thickness of between 0.02 and 0.06 inches, but more preferably, the thickness is

approximately 0.04in (i.e. within 0.005in of 04in), wherein in an implementation, the thickness provides sufficient strength to prevent the strip 100 from breaking at the connection 146 when the strip 100 is wound into a roll. During

separation, a crack forms along the dashed line 146, preferably along at least half of the thickness (i.e. between 0.015in and 0.025in, but more preferably 0.02in), before the connection between the protrusions 128, 132 separates completely.

Figure 2 illustrates the web 144 in additional detail. In various implementations, the web 144 is representative of each connection between adjacent closures 104, 106 of the plurality of closures 102. In other words, although Figure 1 illustrates a connection between the protrusions 128, 132 of adjacent first and second closures 104, 106, it is to be appreciated that such connections can be replaced with a connection that is substantially similar to web 144. The web 144 comprises the first hook 130 of second closure 106 and the second hook 134 of first closure 104 formed as a single, unitary, integral piece. The web 144 has a thickness 148 between 0.02 and 0.06 inches, but more preferably, the thickness is approximately 0.04in, which in an

implementation, provides sufficient strength to prevent the strip 100 from breaking at the web 144 when the strip 100 is wound into a roll. In this context only,“approximately” means within 0.005in of 04in. The first hook 130 of second closure 106 is separated from the first closure 104 by the third cavity 143, or, in other words, the third cavity 143 formed in the first closure 104 receives the first hook 130 of the second closure. Similarly, the second hook 134 is separated from the second closure 106 by the first cavity 140 formed in the second closure 106, or the second hook 134 is received in the first cavity 140.

As can be appreciated from Figures 1 -2, when the plurality of closures 102 are joined together, a space or gap 150 is formed between adjacent closures 104, 106 due to the nature of the connections between protrusions 128, 132, and the web 144. The space 150 joins with the first cavity 140 in a continuous nature proximate an upper portion of the web 144.

Because a rounded outer edge of the second hook 134 extends, at least in part, into the first cavity 140, the space 150 continuously tapers around the rounded outer edge of the second hook 134 proximate the web. In other words, the space 150 maintains a uniform thickness between sidewalls of adjacent closures 104, 106 and then tapers continuously around the rounded edge of the second hook 134 until the space 150 terminates in a rounded terminal or distal end 152 proximate the first hook 130 of second closure 106. Because a rounded outer edge of the first hook 130 extends into the third cavity 143, the space between the rounded outer edge of the first hook 130 has a similar hook appearance, with a thickness of the space tapering along a tangential length of the outer edge of the first hook 130 to terminate in a rounded terminal or distal end 154. Preferably, the space defined by the second hook 134 and the first cavity 140 is a mirror image of the space defined by the first hook 130 and the third cavity 143, or in other words, a length and thickness of each space is approximately equal (i.e. within .005 inches of each other).

In other alternative implementations, the spaces are different, for example, one space may have a length that is greater than the other, one space may have a thickness that is constant or is greater than or less than the other, or the spaces may have different shapes defined by the shape of the respective cavities and hooks. In an implementation, the terminal end 152 is aligned with the terminal end 154 along a vertical axis. However, in other implementations, the terminal ends 152, 154 are offset by a distance of 005in, .01 in, 02in, 03in, 04in, 05in, or by .1 in or more with respect to a vertical axis.

Figure 2 further illustrates a vertical axis represented by dashed line 156. When the closures 104, 106 are separated from each other, such as by applying a tensile force to second closure 106, the design of the web 144 geometries minimizes the bending load of the web 144, creating a high stress state that eliminates areas of compression to result in a clean break of the web 144 with no fragments. Preferably, the web 144 breaks along dashed line 158, such that ends of each respective hook 130, 134 following separation are parallel or substantially parallel (i.e. within 3 degrees of parallel) along line 158. In other words, ends of each hook 130, 134 are preferably aligned along line 158 after separation, such that each end is also at an angle A relative to vertical after separation. As shown in Figure 2, dashed line 158 is at an angle A to vertical axis 156. Preferably, angle A is 16 degrees, or more preferably, angle A is approximately 16 degrees (i.e. between 15 to 17 degrees) relative to vertical axis 156. As such, during separation, the web preferably breaks along line 158 at an angle relative to vertical line 156 as described above.

The first hook 130 of the second closure is coupled to the second hook 134 of the first closure at a transition portion proximate the dashed line 158. As such, the web 144 preferably separates proximate the transition portion. As shown in Figure 2, the web 144, or more particularly the transition portion of the web 144, is spaced from the first closure 104 by a first opening or cavity that is defined by the first hook 130 of the second closure 106 and the third cavity 143. The web 144 and transition portion are separated from the second closure 106 by a second opening or cavity defined by the second hook 134 of the first closure 104 and the first cavity 140 of the second closure 106.

As described herein, the protrusions 128, 132 are spaced from the hooks 130, 134 and as such, the web 144 comprising hooks 130, 134 is spaced from the web comprised of the protrusions 128, 132 along the height of the closures 104, 106.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternative implementation of a closure strip 200 including a first closure 202 coupled to a second closure 204. Closure strip may include some or all of the features described above with reference to closure strip 100. Accordingly, certain features have been omitted to avoid obscuring the features of this implementation.

First closure 202 includes a hook 206 and second closure 204 includes a hook 208. The hooks 206, 208 are formed as a single, unitary, integral web 210. Flowever, to form web 210, the hook 206 extends in a first direction (i.e. right) and a second direction (i.e. up) before turning to extend in the second direction (i.e. up) and a third direction (i.e. left) opposite to the first direction. Similarly, hook 208 extends in the third direction (i.e. left) and a fourth direction (i.e. down) opposite to the second direction (i.e. up) before turning to extend in the first direction and the fourth direction.

In other words, hook 206 of first closure 202 forms a bottom portion of web 210 that is overlapped by hook 208 of second closure 204, as compared to hook 134 of first closure 104 in Figure 1 , which forms a top portion of web 144 that overlaps the hook 130 of the second closure 106. Similarly, hook 208 of second closure 204 in Figure 3 forms a top portion of web 210 that overlaps the hook 206, whereas first hook 130 of second closure 106 in Figure 1 forms a bottom portion of the web 144 that is overlapped by the hook 134 of the first closure 104. As such, the web 210 in Figure 3 has an overall“S” appearance, whereas the web 144 in Figure 1 has a backward“S” appearance. As such, Figure 3 is directed to an implementation that is designed to separate in response to forces being applied in other directions or to different closures, such as a force F applied to an upper edge of the first closure 202 proximate the upper protrusions or first web at the location shown in Figure 3, such that first closure 202 separates from the closure strip 200, but second closure 204 remains coupled to the closure strip 200.

Figure 4 illustrates a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a closure strip 300. As with the closure strips 100, 200 described herein, only a first closure 302 and a second closure 304 are illustrated in Figure 4. Flowever, it is to be appreciated that the closure strip 300 can include anywhere from two up to more than one thousand closures identical to closures 302, 304.

Figure 4 illustrates the first closure 302 coupled to the second closure 304. Each of the closures 302, 304 includes a first side 306 and a second side 308 opposite the first side 306. A first protrusion 310 extends from the first side 306 of each closure 302, 304. The first protrusion 310 is an upper protrusion that is integrated with the closures 302, 304 as a single, unitary piece, in one implementation. A second protrusion 312 extends from the secone side 308 of each closure 302, 304. In one implementation, the second protrusion 312 is also an upper protrusion integrated with the closures 302, 304 as a single, unitary piece. The second protrusion 312 of the first closure 302 may be an upper protrusion relative to the first protrusion 310 of the second closure 304, such that a lower portion of the second protrusion 312 of the first closure 302 is coupled to an upper portion of the first protrusion 301 of the second closure 304 to form a first web 313, as shown in Figure 4. The protrusions 310, 312 and the connection between the protrusions 310, 312 of the closures 302, 304 are identical to the closures 102 and the protrusions 128, 132 described above with reference to Figure 1 , in one implementation. As such, repetitive disclosure has been omitted. When the closures 302, 304 are separated, the web 313 breaks along dashed line 315, as described herein.

Each of the closures 302, 304 further include a third protrusion 314 extending from the first side 306 of the closures 302, 304 as well as a fourth protrusion 316 extending from the second side 308 of the closures 302, 304. In one implementation, the third protrusion 314 is larger in thickness and height than the fourth protrusion 316 relative to a body of each of the closures 302, 304. The fourth protrusion 316 of the first closure 302 is coupled to the third protrusion 314 of the second closure 304 to form a web 318. The web 318 has a thickness 320 in a central portion of the web 318 that is equal to 0.05in in one implementation. In an alternative implementation, the thickness 320 is between 0.03in and 0.07in. In yet a further implementation, the thickness is approximately 0.05in (i.e. between 0.0455in and 0.055in). During separation of the first closure 302 from the second closure 304, whether manually or by a machine, as described herein, the web 318 breaks along dashed line 322. In one implementation, dashed line 322 is at an angle B to horizontal (as indicated by line 324) that is 15 degrees. In one implementation, the angle B is between 13 and 17 degrees, while in other implementations, the angle B is

approximately 15 degrees (i.e. between 14.5 degrees and 15.5 degrees).

As such, in the implementation shown in Figure 4, the angle of separation between the first and second protrusions 310, 312 and the third and fourth protrusions 314, 318 relative to horizontal is the same. Flowever, the angle of separation B is a mirror image of the angle of separation between the first and second protrusions 310, 312. In other words, in an x-y coordinate plane with“x” as horizontal and“y” as vertical as indicated in Figure 4, the angle of separation between the first protrusions 310, 312 extends in a positive “x” direction (i.e. to the right relative to the vertical axis“y”) and 15 degrees up towards the y-axis. The angle of separation B between the third and fourth protrusions 314, 316 extends in an opposite, negative“x” direction (i.e. to the left relative to the vertical axis“y”) and up towards the y-axis. As such, the angles of separation between the protrusions 310, 312 and 314, 316 are opposite, mirror images of each other. An angle between the line of separation

315 between the protrusions 310, 312 and the line of separation 322 between the protrusions 314, 316 is equal to 150 degrees, in an implementation.

The first protrusion 310 has a first width 326 relative to the first side 306, the second protrusion 312 has a second width 328 relative to the second side 308, the third protrusion 314 has a third width 330 relative to the first side 306 and the fourth protrusion 316 has a fourth width 332 relative to the second side 308 of each closure 302, 304. In one implementation, the first width 326 and the second width 328 are the same, while the third width 330 is greater than the fourth width 332. Further, the third width 330 and the fourth width 332 may be greater relative to their respective sides than each of the first width 326 and the second width 328. The“width” of each of the protrusions 310, 312, 314, 316 may also refer to an amount that the respective protrusion 310, 312, 314, 316 extends relative to a respective side 306, 308. As such, the third protrusion 330 extends further from the first side 306 than the first protrusion 310 and the fourth protrusion 316 extends further from the second side 308 than the second protrusion. In other implementations, the above dimensions are different. For example, each of the protrusions 310, 312, 314,

316 may have the same width, or the width of the third and fourth protrusions 314, 316 may be less than the width of the first and second protrusions 310, 312. After separation, the first protrusion 310 includes an edge 334 along break line 315 and the third protrusion 314 includes an edge 336 oriented along line 322. As shown in Figure 4, the edge 334 extends relative to the first side 306 to the left and down such that the edge 334 is at an angle 15 degrees below horizontal. However, the edge 336 extends relative to the first side 306 to the left and up such that the edge 336 is at an angle 15 degrees above horizontal. As such, an angle between the edges 334, 336 can be 30 degrees. The second protrusion 312 and the fourth protrusion 316 share a similar relationship, namely where the edges after separation are a similar angle relative to horizontal, but the edges extend in different directions relative to the second side 308. Further, the web 313 has a thickness 338 this is equal to 0.04in in an implementation, and as such, the web 318 is thicker than the web 313. This results in a length of the edge 336 being greater than a length of the edge 334. As shown in Figure 4, each of the protrusions 310, 312, 314, 316 tapers towards a central portion of a respective web 313, 318, such that the protrusions 310, 312, 314, 316 have greater widths than the thicknesses 338, 320 of the webs 313, 318.

Moreover, in one implementation, the closure strip 300 illustrated in Figure 4 is easier to manufacture than the closure strips 100, 200 as the geometry of the web 318 is simplified. However, adjusting the angle B and the thickness 320 of the web 318 compared to the other implementations does not impact the functionality of the web 318. In other words, even with different characteristics, the web 318 reduces residue when the closures 302, 304 are separated compared to known closures due to the change in the geometry and angle of separation in the web 318 relative to known closures.

As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing, the present disclosure achieves a closure strip having a web with sufficient strength that the web will not break during handling of the closure strip, including by winding the closure strip in a coil for storage and shipping. Further, the present disclosure provides a closure strip that can be separated into individual closures without leaving harmful residue or a jagged edge on the individual closure because the hook geometries minimize the bending load of the web, thus creating a high stress state that eliminates areas of compression and results in a clean break with no residue fragments or jagged edges.

In the foregoing description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed

implementations. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that implementations may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well- known structures associated with closures and closure strips have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the implementations.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word“comprise” and variations thereof, such as,“comprises” and“comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as“including, but not limited to.” Further, the terms “first,”“second,” and similar indicators of sequence are to be construed as interchangeable unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Reference throughout this specification to“one implementation” or “an implementation” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the implementation is included in at least one implementation. Thus, the appearances of the phrases“in one implementation” or“in an implementation” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more implementations.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,”“an,” and“the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term“or” is generally employed in its broadest sense, that is, as meaning“and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The various implementations described above can be combined to provide further implementations. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the implementations can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further implementations.

These and other changes can be made to the implementations in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific

implementations disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible implementations along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Claims

1. A closure strip, comprising:

a first closure including a first hook with a first width; a second closure coupled to the first closure and including a second hook with a second width greater than the first width; and a first web including the second hook integrated with the first hook.

2. The closure strip of claim 1 wherein the first closure further includes a first protrusion and the second closure further includes a second protrusion.

3. The closure strip of claim 2 further comprising: a second web connecting the first closure and the second closure, the second web including the first protrusion of the first closure integrated with the second protrusion of the second closure.

4. The closure strip of claim 3 wherein the first web is structured to separate along a first line extending in a first direction and a second direction at a first angle to horizontal between 13 and 17 degrees.

5. The closure strip of claim 4 wherein the second web is structured to separate along a second line extending in a third direction opposite to the first direction and the second direction at a second angle to horizontal between 13 and 17 degrees.

6. The closure strip of claim 5 wherein the first angle is approximately 15 degrees and the second angle is approximately 15 degrees.

7. The closure strip of claim 5 wherein the first angle is approximately 15 degrees and the second angle is greater than 15 degrees.

8. The closure strip of claim 1 wherein the first hook extends in a first direction and a second direction before curving to extend in the second direction and a third direction opposite to the first direction.

9. The closure strip of claim 8 wherein the second hook extends in the third direction and a fourth direction opposite to the second direction before turning to extend in the first direction and the fourth direction.

10. A closure strip, comprising:

a first closure including a first protrusion and a second protrusion; a second closure including a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion;

a first web including the first protrusion coupled to the third protrusion, the first web having a first thickness; and

a second web including the second protrusion coupled to the fourth protrusion, the second web having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness.

11. The closure strip of claim 10 wherein the first web is structured to separate along a first line at a first angle to horizontal that is approximately 15 degrees.

12. The closure strip of claim 11 wherein the second web is structured to separate along a second line at a second angle to horizontal that is approximately 15 degrees.

13. The closure strip of claim 12 wherein the first line extends in a first direction and the second line extends in a second direction opposite the first direction.

14. The closure strip of claim 10 wherein the first protrusion has a first width and the second protrusion has a second width that is equal to the first width.

15. The closure strip of claim 14 wherein the third protrusion has a third width and the fourth protrusion has a fourth width greater than the third width.

16. The closure strip of claim 15 wherein the fourth width of the fourth protrusion is greater than the second width of the second protrusion.

17. A closure, comprising:

a body having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;

a first hook extending from the first side in a first direction, the first hook having a first width;

a first protrusion extending from the first side, the first protrusion having a second width less than the first width;

a second hook extending from the second side, the second hook having a third width less than the second width; and

a second protrusion extending from the second side.

18. The closure of claim 17 wherein the first hook includes an edge with a thickness of approximately 0.05 inches.

19. The closure of claim 18 wherein the second protrusion includes an edge with a thickness of approximately 0.04 inches.

20. The closure of claim 17 wherein the second hook terminates at a first end at a first angle to horizontal in a first direction and the second protrusion terminates at a second end at a second angle to horizontal equal to the first angle in a second direction opposite the first direction.