Balanced/Concentric Flange – a flange that extends equally on each side of the locking members.
Color Reveal® Zipper – patented zipper designed so that a colored strip is visible when the zipper is closed to provide assurance your product will stay fresh.
Co-Extruded Sealant Ribs – (see Sealant Ribs)
Contaminant Resistant Zipper – a twin-track zipper design that allows the lock to engage even if particles are in the channel.
Double Zipper – a double lock zipper—two sets of interlocking profiles—spaced side-by-side that ensures bag closure, keeping air out and sealing in freshness.
Dual-Track – a zipper interlock that is designed with two sets of connectors, with two male and two female sections to provide a more secure seal.
E.O.T. (Easy Open Track) – a variety of slider track that has a membrane below the track to withstand impacts and reduce damage in shipping. Also provides tamper evidence for the package.
Ergonomic Zipper – a type of slider zipper designed to reduce the drag force of the slider piece when closing the package, making it easier for seniors and children to close.
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) – a polyethylene copolymer material with low melt point used to facilitate sealing.
Flange – the portion of the zipper that extends beyond the locking members.
Flat Sealant Layer Zippers – resealable zippers that have a separate layer of material on the backside of the zipper flange that seals to the packaging film at a lower sealing temperature. Provides advantages over a single layer zipper.
Gripper Ridges – raised areas on the inside of the zipper flanges designed to aid consumers in opening the zipper.
Holding Force – the force required to pull apart the two parts of the zipper profile’s locking members. This force is measured in pounds.
INNO-LOK® Zipper – zippers that are compatible with INNO-LOK® equipment from the Hudson-Sharp Machine Company. Transverse zippers applied on INNO-LOK equipment and filled on v/f/f/s equipment.
Locking Members – the portions of the zipper that catch each other when pressed together. These members will flex and separate when pulled apart.
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) – a resin used in packaging film and as a sealant layer for laminated films as well as for a multitude of products that are non-zipper related.
Mono-Track – (see Single Track)
Multi-Track – a mechanical interlock that is designed with at least two sets of connectors, with a minimum of two male and two female sections.
Non-Package/Consumer Side – the side of the zipper that is opened by the consumer.
Offset Flange – unequal dimensions on either side of the locking members. May be as extreme as having a flange on only one side.
Package/Product Side – side of the zipper closest to the product.
Peel Seal – type of hermetic seal which protects the product but allows the end user easy access by peeling the seal open.
Post/Fulcrum – design feature that produces a higher holding force from the package and/or consumer side, depending on its location.
Preformed/Premade Pouch – pouch produced with the zipper by a converter to be filled later.
Press-To-Close Zipper – a reclosable feature on flexible packaging closed by reconnecting the two parts of a locking member with pressure from your fingers.
Retort Pouch – flexible pouch for low acid foods that is thermally sterilized in a pressure vessel.
Retort Zipper – zippers designed to withstand the high temperature and pressure of the retort process.
Sealant Layer – a layer of material on the back side of the zipper flange that seals to the packaging film and enables sealing temperatures to be lowered. This also improves the aesthetics of the seals because less heat creates less distortion. Another example of a sealant layer is the peel seal on the inside of the flanges (see Peel Seal).
Sealant Ribs – separate ribs of material on the back side of the zipper flange that seal to the packaging film and enable sealing temperatures to be lowered. These ribs create pressure points to create a better seal. They also improve seal aesthetics because less heat creates less distortion.
Single Layer Zippers – resealable zippers made of a single material that does not have a separate sealant layer.
Single Track – a mechanical interlock designed with one set of connectors comprised of a male and female section.
Slider Zipper – a reclosable feature on flexible packaging closed by reconnecting the two parts of a locking member with a movable slider piece.
Soft Seal® Material – zippers made with the Soft Seal® Material can require lower sealing time and temperatures, which can allow faster converting speeds. Material provides high quality seals to prevent leaks.
String Zipper – an economical flangeless zipper used primarily with unsupported poly packaging.
Tamper Evident Track – a variety of slider track that has a membrane below the track to withstand impacts and reduce damage in shipping. Provides evidence of tampering to product.
Tensile Strength – a test procedure to identify the forced required to separate the locking members of a zipper.
Thermoform Zipper – zippers engineered for processed and sliced meat packs produced on thermoform/fill/seal equipment.
Transverse Zipper – a profile that runs in the transverse direction on the machine.
Two Piece Track – a form of slider track that has two separate flanges that are connected only at the locking member. No barrier or tamper evidence protection is provided by this style track.
Zipper – an LDPE-based device with locking members sealed to a package to add a reclosable feature.
Zipper Spool – zipper is wound on a spool for transport and to keep the profile oriented for the converting equipment.