Zipper configuration and embodiments thereof
A zipper traverses five (5) or seven (7) edges of a container (bag, box, or case), forming a two-sided “lid”, providing visibility and access through two (2) sides simultaneously. Zipper is applied to the edges of the storage area and the “lid” of any container (bag, box, or case) with gusseted corners forming a storage area of any depth or dimension. The zipper extends from the rear corner of one side to the rear corner of the alternate side by traversing along the edges of the first side, and turning perpendicularly or diagonally at the gusseted corners, or near the corners, continuing across the bottom of the second side, forming the second side of the lid.
Pending: Application No. 61/368,828
Filed: Jul. 29, 2010
Title: Zipper configuration and embodiments thereof.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany bags, boxes, cases, or containers that are used for packing, organizing, toting, storing, or displaying items are structured such that they are closed with a zipper and, in all known cases of the prior art, this zipper is included on one (1) edge allowing opening and closing of one end, or three (3) edges allowing opening and closing of one side. All prior art embodies one of these two configurations. These prior configurations do not allow easy access to, or visibility of, items in the lower half of the container. Thus, items must be unpacked or displaced to retrieve those lower items.
The claimed zipper configuration is an improvement which allows the container (bag, box, or case) to not only be fully opened on one side, as with any prior lid or opening, but opens a second side simultaneously so the contents are viewable and accessible from both the top and side without unpacking the entire contents of the container. The embodiment of this zipper configuration provides a zippered container closure configuration for improved organizing, packing, storing, toting, and displaying items in a clean, visible, and easily accessible manner.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONPrior art for zippered containers (bags, boxes, or cases) comprises a zipper on one (1) or three (3) edges of one surface providing access through one side or top. This invention comprises a zipper configuration implemented on five (5) (or seven (7) edges if slightly offset) to provide access through two (2) sides simultaneously. Likewise, this invention claims any container (bag, box or case) which embodies claimed zipper configuration.
This invention provides a zippered closure configuration which can be incorporated in any container to provide for organizing, packing, storing, toting, and displaying items in a neat and organized manner, independent of the larger case, drawer or shelf into or onto which it will be placed, while providing visibility and accessibility to its contents.
In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:
Zipper is applied to the edge of the storage compartment and to the edge of the lid of any container (bag, box or case) with gusseted corners forming a storage area of any depth or dimension. This zipper extends from the rear corner of one side to the rear corner of the alternate side, while traversing three edges of a second side. The zipper follows the contour of the side walls, and at or near the front corner (
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- from the back left corner of one side, along the left edge of that side moving toward the front (1);
- from the front left corner, continuing down, perpendicularly or diagonally, at or near the left edge to the bottom (2);
- across, at or near the bottom, to the right, continuing to a point at or near the right corner (3);
- from the bottom, perpendicularly or diagonally, to the top at the upper right corner (4); and
- from that front right corner proceeding along that top right edge to the back right corner (5).
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- from the back left corner of one side, along the left edge of that side moving toward the front (1);
- from the front left corner, turning perpendicularly from the side, across the front a short distance to a point near the front corner (6);
- turning downward, perpendicularly or diagonally, at or near the left edge to the bottom (2);
- across, at or near the bottom, to the right, continuing to a point at or near the right corner (3);
- from the bottom, perpendicularly or diagonally, to a point on the front, top, near the upper right corner (4);
- turning to the right along the top to the top, right corner (7), and
- from that front right corner proceeding along that top right edge to the back right corner (5).
The embodiment of this zipper configuration, or its variation, in any container (bag, box or case) made of any soft or hard material, such as nylon, vinyl, leather, or stiff board, is also a claim of this invention. The zipper may be single- or bi-directional with one or two pull-tab mechanisms. The zipper configuration claimed is independent of the dimensions of the bag, box, case, or container in which it's embodied, as demonstrated in
Claims
1. The zipper configuration with zipper on five (5) edges, incorporating two adjacent sides, providing visibility and accessibility on 2 sides simultaneously.
2. The zipper configuration with zipper on seven (7) edges, incorporating two adjacent sides, providing visibility and accessibility on 2 sides simultaneously.
3. (canceled)
4. Any container (bag, box or case) which embodies the zipper configuration as in claim 1.
5. Any container (bag, box or case) which embodies the zipper configuration as in claim 2.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 20, 2011
Publication Date: Feb 2, 2012
Inventor: Rebecca L. Mazzan (Buchanan Dam, TX)
Application Number: 13/164,143
International Classification: B65D 51/00 (20060101); A44B 19/24 (20060101); B65D 33/16 (20060101);