Bag sealing slidable closure mechanism and method
A closure for a container, such as for luggage or for a bag, has a split rail disposed around the mouth frame and a train of links that rides on and secures the rail halves together, and a tunnel for storage of the train when opening the container.
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This application claims priority to U.S. 60/921,411, filed Apr. 2, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a “zipperless” sliding closure mechanism for a container, such as a bag or luggage, where the closure forms the mouth frame, and to a method for making the same.
Zippers are one of the most prevalent devices for attaching or fastening a mouth-frame together or closing a bag or pouch. A zipper works by the interlocking of opposed surfaces configured to have multiple interlocking elements (teeth, for example). Yet a zipper can be pulled apart or compromised by mechanical means; a missing tooth can provide access for pulling the zipper apart. As an alternative there are various sliding closures that cause mating of opposing, non-interlocking tracks that define a mouth-frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn light of the foregoing, this invention provides a sliding sealing closure that is “zipperless,” that can be readily manufactured in a desired length corresponding to a particular container opening, that can be fitted with a single use and/or multiple use security seal, and can accommodate various container opening geometries.
In one embodiment, this invention provides a closure comprising a split frame, the opposing halves of the frame each comprising a frame wall integrally molded with a half T-shaped rail wherein mating said opposing halves creates a rail having opposing shoulders and a neck portion, the rail defined by a starting terminus; a train of links wherein said links have an internal cavity defined by inwardly projecting shoulders and a relatively wider guide surface, wherein the projecting shoulders of the link mate with the neck portion of the rail and the guide surface mates with the opposing shoulders of the rail; the train of links comprising a joining link adapted to be secured effective to maintain the train on the rail; and a tunnel adjacent the starting terminus adapted to receive at least a portion of the train of links.
In another embodiment, this invention provides a container with a closure which comprises a container having opposing walls defining a mouth of the container; each wall attached to one half of a frame wall integrally molded with a half T-shaped rail wherein bringing the opposing walls together closes the container and mates the opposing halves creating a rail having opposing shoulders and a narrower neck portion, the rail defined by a starting terminus; a train of links comprising a plurality of links wherein each of said plurality of links has an internal cavity defined by inwardly projecting shoulders and a relatively wider guide surface, wherein the projecting shoulders of the link mate with the neck portion of the rail and the guide surface mates with the opposing shoulders of the rail; the train comprising a joining link adapted to be secured to another joining link on another train on the rail, to the container, or to both, effective to maintain the train on the rail; and a tunnel adjacent the starting terminus adapted to receive at least a portion of the train of links, the tunnel extending within the container.
The present invention generally comprises a train of links, the train being made of one or more chains of links, the links having an internal channel that rides on and acts as a closure for the opposing split rails of a track (mouth-frame). Each split rail forms the edge of a container, such as for luggage, or the opening of a soft-walled or hard-walled bag. The container is closed by advancing the train to bring the split rails together, providing an integral track, and sealing the container. A tunnel is provided at one end of the rail, within the container, for receiving and storing the train when the container is opened. The train has two types of connections between individual links, a living hinge between links of a single section, and a snap-fit connecting different sections to make up a train.
If desired, a terminator link can be provided to catch on the terminus of the rail and not ride along like the other links, thereby keeping the split rail together up to the tunnel entrance. The abutment end 213 of the track can be used as a stop if an end or terminator link is provided with a sealed channel. For example, the embodiment shown in
Riding on the rail is a train of links, and the train is made of one or more chains of links. The entire chain 401 appropriate for the size of the closure is shown in perspective in
As shown in
The tail connector link at the end of the main chain is shown in perspective view in
A perspective view of an intermediate link is shown in
Alternatively to the use of a shackle, tie, or similar device passing through both of the padlock openings, or in addition, a seal 501 can be used to secure the two joining links together. The seal has an orientation, with a flat bottom surface having an optional first groove 503 and an optional second groove 505, the second groove being closer to the head portion 507 from which opposing pawls 509 extend. If present, the first groove is triangular with a front wall (i.e., closer to the head) that is orthogonal to the plane of the seal, and an angled rear wall, and interacts with the comparably-shaped projection 477 prominent (upstanding) from the first seal insertion surface to provide a distinct click when the seal is properly inserted. If present, the second groove facilitates breaking off the body 511 of the seal from the head. In use, the two joining links are brought into abutting relationship and a seal is inserted head portion first along the second seal insertion surface until the pawls on the head catch on the front wall 497 as a sort of snap fit; if the first groove and projection are present a second click should also be heard by the user when the seal is seated. The seal thus can act to secure the opposing trains together in addition to providing evidence of tampering.
The device can be made by molding separate pieces for the frame and snap-fitting them together. The flange 223 attached to the main body 221 can be made with one or more protrusions that cooperate with corresponding snap-fit holes in the flange of an abutting section of the frame. As seen in
While
The links and rail/frame can be made of any of various polymer suitable for use and many are well known in similar devices. It is preferred that the links be injection molded from polyethylene, polypropylene, a propylene-copolymer, poly(ethylene terephthalate), a polypropylene-polyethylene blend, an elastomer, or a compatible mixture thereof. The links should be made of a material that can grip but slide along the rails, will not deform and release the rail, but is sufficiently flexible to allow for durable living hinges and movement along the track and around corners (for a track that has corners; a straight track, such as on a bag, can use a more rigid material). As is well known in the design and manufacture of living hinges, twisting of the part immediately upon ejection after injection molding stretches and cold draws the hinge, increasing the degree of molecular orientation of the polymer, and thereby strengthening the hinge. The track (combined rail and frame) is preferably made from polyethylene or extruded vinyl, and can be made in separate parts, such as by injection molding, or in an indefinite length from which parts are stamped (cut) and/or thermoformed into the desired geometry.
The foregoing description is meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes, modifications, and additions may become apparent to the skilled artisan upon a perusal of this specification, and such are meant to be within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A closure, comprising:
- a split frame, the opposing halves of the frame each comprising a frame wall integrally molded with a half T-shaped rail wherein mating said opposing halves creates a rail having opposing shoulders and a neck portion, the rail defined by a starting terminus;
- a train of links wherein said links have an internal cavity defined by inwardly projecting shoulders and a relatively wider guide surface, wherein the projecting shoulders of the link mate with the neck portion of the rail and the guide surface mates with the opposing shoulders of the rail;
- the train of links comprising a joining link adapted to be secured effective to maintain the train on the rail; and
- a tunnel adjacent the starting terminus adapted to receive at least a portion of the train of links.
2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the frame wall is oriented substantially parallel to the direction of mating of the rail halves.
3. A container with a closure, comprising:
- a container having opposing walls defining a mouth of the container;
- each wall attached to one half of a frame wall integrally molded with a half T-shaped rail wherein bringing the opposing walls together closes the container and mates the opposing halves creating a rail having opposing shoulders and a narrower neck portion, the rail defined by a starting terminus;
- a train of links comprising a plurality of links wherein each of said plurality of links has an internal cavity defined by inwardly projecting shoulders and a relatively wider guide surface, wherein the projecting shoulders of the link mate with the neck portion of the rail and the guide surface mates with the opposing shoulders of the rail;
- the train comprising a joining link adapted to be secured to another joining link on another train on the rail, to the container, or to both, effective to maintain the train on the rail; and
- a tunnel adjacent the starting terminus adapted to receive at least a portion of the train of links, the tunnel extending within the container.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein the container has at least two trains of links each with a joining link arranged to abut, wherein a first one of the two joining links has a cantilevered sealing flange and a second one of the two joining links has an opening for receiving said sealing flange, wherein abutment of the two joining links causes the sealing flange to reside in said opening.
5. The container of claim 3, wherein the container has at least two trains of links each with a joining link arranged to abut, wherein each of the two joining links has a padlock opening arranged to accept a common shackle.
6. The container of claim 4, wherein said connecting links further comprise first and second sealing surfaces and abutment of the links creates a continuous sealing surface and said sealing flange covers said second sealing surface.
7. The container of claim 6, further comprising a seal disposed along the continuous sealing surface, the seal having a pawl, and means on the second joining link for catching the pawl to join the joining links together.
8. The container of claim 3, further comprising a storage recess in the container at the starting terminus of the track and adapted to receive the train when the container is open.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein the storage recess comprises an S-shaped tube connected to a straight, L-shaped, or U-shaped tunnel.
10. The container of claim 3, wherein the train of links has three types of links comprising (a) a head connector or joining link, (b) a plurality of intermediate links, and (c) a tail connector or terminator link.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the train is molded as a unitary set of links.
12. The container of claim 10, wherein two types of links are molded as a unitary set of links.
13. The container of claim 3, wherein the train has a single train of links and the joining link further includes a pull that is adapted to be secured by a lock attached to the container.
14. The container of claim 13, wherein the lock is a keyed lock.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 13, 2007
Publication Date: Oct 2, 2008
Applicant:
Inventors: Robert J. Cohn (Dallas, PA), Paul D. Lantz (Kingston, PA)
Application Number: 11/762,374
International Classification: B65D 51/00 (20060101); B65D 55/02 (20060101);