US Patent 6877898 Ease of closure through tactile/optical means

Backing areas (10, 22) are provided for a zipper (19) used in the manufacture of a reclosable bag (12). The backing areas (10, 22) are formed of a material dissimilar to the bag material with the backing areas (10, 22) provided on the walls (14, 16) of the bag (12) in alignment with the zipper (19). The material of the backing areas (10, 22) is dissimilar in that the material has physical characteristics that are noticeable to the tactile feel of the user in regard to the remaining outside areas of the reclosable bag (12). Such physical characteristics include a noticeable difference in surface lubricity, compressibility, obstructions and/or friction. These identified but not exclusive physical characteristics form the backing areas (10, 22) individually or in combination with each other.