Compression Resistant Closure
A closure device is provided having an upper seal member with at least one tongue having a forward facing tip and a reverse facing tip configured to interlock with a matingly configured lower seal member.
This application claims priority to provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/915,809, filed May 3, 2007.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present device solves the long felt need for a reliable fastener that can be easily secured and separated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONProvided is a device comprising an upper seal member having a base and a top wherein the top has at least one tongue having a forward facing tip and a reverse facing tip; and a lower seal member having a base and a top, wherein the top of the upper seal member and the top of the lower seal member provide mating surfaces between the upper and lower seal members, when interlocked together.
As shown in
Moving the slider or providing a force in the opposite direction causes the upper and lower seal members to interlock. The upper and lower seal members have interlocking tongue portions 60 and groove portions 70 which cooperate to interlock the members, see
As shown in
The present profile design incorporates the interlocking tongues and tips to maximize cross-pull strength and compressive cross-pull strength of the sealed closure. The incorporation of multiple tongue shapes in a single closure further allows the closure to maintain flexibility without compromising strength and performance. The tip design further allows the sealed closure to prevent being inadvertently pushed open. While this device is described using a slider to close the upper seal member to the lower seal member, it is also possible to seal the upper seal member to the lower seal member without the need of a closure, for instance by using a thumb or another pressure to interlock the tongue and grooves into a mating configuration. Further, while the upper seal member and the lower seal member may provide air tight or liquid proof seals when matingly engaged, it is understood that embodiments of this device may not need to provide such air or liquid-proof seals, and that these embodiments will provide a reliable closure.
Numerous materials may be used in the composition of the present invention, including but not limed to rubbers, metals, woods, plastics, polyurethanes, and other suitable materials. The sizing of the device may be similarly engineered to desired specifications.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, the present invention should not be limited to such illustrations and descriptions.
Claims
1. A device comprising:
- a. an upper seal member having a base and a top wherein the top has at least one tongue having a forward facing tip and a reverse facing tip; and
- b. a lower seal member having a base and a top, wherein the top of the upper seal member and the top of the lower seal member provide mating surfaces between the upper and lower seal members, when interlocked together.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the upper seal member comprises polyurethane.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said upper seal member comprises a lubricant.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein said lower seal member comprises a lubricant.
5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a slider.
Type: Application
Filed: May 2, 2008
Publication Date: Nov 6, 2008
Inventors: Gregory E. HANNON (Landenberg, PA), Charles Thomas ROSENMAYER (Avondale, PA)
Application Number: 12/114,213
International Classification: B65D 33/16 (20060101);