Sliders for closing the zipper of an evacuable storage bag. The slider is
generally U-shaped and comprises a pair of mutually opposing sidewalls, a
bridge connecting the sidewalls, and a generally U-shaped stiffening rib
projecting outward from the sidewalls and bridge. In accordance with
various aspects of the invention: (1) portions of the sidewalls on both
sides of the stiffening rib have undulating external surfaces that
facilitate manufacture by injection molding; (2) both sides of the
stiffening rib are provided with respective curved depressions that are
generally symmetrical relative to a central plane of the slide and that
facilitate grasping by the storage bag user; and (3) retaining hooks at
the distal ends of the sidewalls have angled surfaces that form an
included angle of 30 to 45 degrees at an entry point into the gap between
the sidewalls to facilitate automated slider insertion onto a zipper.