Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
392
The invention relates to a closure fastening device
and more particularly to a closure fastening device including
interlocking first and second channel elements suitable for
use in connection with a container.
Generally, closure fastening devices for use in con-
nection with plastic bags and the like are known. Further-
more, manufacturing methods for closure fastening devices
made of plastic material are generally well known.
A closure fastening device for use in connection with
a flexible container should be relatively easy to open from
the outside, but relatively difficult to open fro~ the inside.
Generally, such a container can be used with its interior
either under relatively high pressure or relatively under low
pressure. The closure fastening device should provide a
satisfactory seal for either condition
Preferably, the closure fastening device should be
suitable for economical manufacturing and should be relatively
simple in design. In addition, the design should provide for
variations in order to meet different needs. For example, it
may be desirable to have a closure fastening device which is
relatively difficult to open from both the inside and the
outside In general, the closure fastening device, however,
; should always be relatively easy to close.
The foregoing criteria for a closure fastening device
are met by one embodiment of the present invention which em-
bodiment comprises a first channel element including a first
base portion, a pair of spaced apart first webs extending
from the first base portion, and first hook portions
extending from each of the first webs and facing away from
each other; and a second channel element including
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a second base portion, a pair of spaced apart second webs
extending from the second base portion, and second hook
portions extending from each of the second webs and facing
towards each other, the channel elements being adapted to
interlock by pressing the first channel element into the
second channel element so that the first and second hook
portions engage at predetermined pairs of contact surfaces,
one pair of the contact surfaces defining a negative angle
of engagement, and the chennel elements defining a com-
partment when the channel elements are interlocked.
Another embodiment of the invention is the afore-
mentioned closure fastening device wherein the other pair of
contact surfaces define a negative angle of engagement.
A further embodiment of the invention is the afore-
mentioned closure fastening device wherein the other pair of
contact surfaces define a positive angle of engagement.
Another further embodiment of the invention is the
aforementioned closure fastening device wherein the other pair
of contact surfaces define a zero angle of engagement.
Another further embodiment of the invention is the
~; aforementioned closure fastening device wherein the first
base portion is resiliently bendable.
Another further embodiment of the invention is the
aforementioned closure fastening device wherein the second
base portion is resiliently bendable.
A still further embodiment of the invention is a
container including the aforementioned closure fastening device.
The invention accordingly comprises the features
of construction, combination of elements and arrangement
of parts which will be exemplified in a construction
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hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application
of which will ~e indicated in the claims.
Generally, the closure fastening device of the in-
vention can be made from polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon,
or another thermoplastic material or the like or a combina-
tion thereof. The dimensions of the closure fastening device
would vary in accordance with the technology depending upon
the materials used because of the variation in physical
properties such as moduli.
The closure fastening device of the invention can be
manufactured by extrusion, or by the use of molds or other
known methods of producing such devices. The closure fas-
tening device can be manufactured as a strip for later attach-
ment to a film or it can be manufactured integral with the
film. In addition, the closure fastening device can be
manufactured with or without flanges on one or both of the
~ channel elements depending upon intended use or expected
; additional manufacturing operations. The use of a rela-
tively thin cross-sectional profile for each of the
channel elements provides the advantage that the inter-
locked channel elements can be cut and sealed by the use
of heat without very much physical distorition at the ends.
The compartment formed by the interlocked channels allows
for an easy and reliable sever seal because of the reduced
~5 cross-sectional density.
The channel elements can be connected to a container
or to a film to be formed into a container by the use
of one of many known methods. A thermoelectrice device
can be applied to a film opposite a channel element to
cause a transfer of heat through the film to produce
melting at the interface of the film and the channel
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element. After cooling, the interface region joins the
film and the channel element.
The thermoelectric device can be heated rotary
discs, or resistance heated slide wires or travelling
heater bands or the like.
The connection between the film and the channel
element can also be established by the use of hot melt
adhesives, or hot jets of air to the interface, or ultra-
sonic heating or other known methods.
Generally, the present closure fastening device
can be made from a heat-sealable material and then attached
to a heat-sealable film so that a container can be formed
economically be heat sealing surfaces to form the container.
The present closure fastening device produces many
advantages for use in containers to be used by consumers.
For example, the closure fastening device is easy to close
and does not tend to twist and distort during occlusion as
in the case of some prior art devices. This provides con-
venience in the closing operation.
The closure fastening device also provides the
advantage of an approximately uniform cross-section. This
not only simplifies the manufacturing of the device but it
also contributes to the physical flexibility of the device
which is a desirable property.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and ob-
jects of the invention, reference should be had to the
following detailed description, taken in connection with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible con-
tainer including a closure fastening device in accordance
with the invention;
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Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic and sectional view of a
portion of a container including one embodiment of an open
closure fastening device in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 3 shows a diagrammatic and sectional view of the
closure fastening device of Fig. 2 in a closed position.
Fig. 4 shows a diagrammatic and sectional view of a
flexible container including the closure fastening device of
Fig. 2 with relatively high internal pressure for the container.
Fig. 5 shows a diagrammatic and sectional view of a
flexible container including the closure fastening device
of Fig. 2 with the container evacuated;
Figs. 6A, 6B, and 6C show diagrammatic and sectional
views of three embodiments of the invention;
Fig. 7 shows a diagrammatic and sectional view of a
further embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a closure fasten-
ing device of the invention in the form of tapes or strips.
In carrying the invention into effect, certain
embodiments have been selected for illustration in the
accompanying drawings and for description in this specifi-
cation, reference being had to Figs. 1 to 8.
Fig. 1 shows a typical flexible container 10 formed
from a thin, plastic film which is folded at bottom
portion 11 and is heat sealed along the vertical side
edges 12 to form a pouch.
The sidewalls 13 extend beyond a closure fastening
device 14 to provide mouth portions 16 and 17 to simplify the
opening of the closure fastening device 14.
One embodiment of the invention is shown in the
open and closed positions in Figs. 2 and 3. A first
channel element 18 is connected to a sidewall 19 of a
container 20 and includes a first base portion 21, a pair
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of spaced apart first webs 22 extending in a generally
normal direction from the first base portion 21, and first
hook portions 23 extending from each of the first webs 22
and facing away from each other. A second channel element
24 is connected to sidewall 26 and includes a second base
portion 27, a pair of spaced apart second webs 28 extending
in a generally normal direction from the second base
portion 27 and second hook portions 29 extending from each
of second webs 28 and facing towards each other.
For F~igs. 2 and 3, the channel elements 18 and 24
were formed and were thereafter connected to a film which
became the sidewalls 19 and 26.
The channel elements 18 and 24 are interlocked by
pressing the first channel element 18 into the second channel
element 24 so that the hook portions 23 and 29 engage at
predetermined pairs of contact surfaces 31 and 32. During
the interlocking of the channel elements 18 and 24, at least
one of the base portions 21 and 27 flexes or the webs 22 and
28 flex or a combination of these parts flex to achieve an
easy occlusion.
As used herein, the angle of engagement is the
angle between a straight line approximately defined by the
base portion of a first channel element, the male
element, and a straight line approximately defined by
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the pair of contact surfaces of the engaged hook portions.
In Fig. 3, the straight line defined by the first base
portion 21 corresponds approximately to line 33 whereas line
34 is defined by the pair of contact surfaces of the engaged
hook portions on one side of the closure fastening device.
As used herein, a positive angle of engagement
occurs when the line defined by the pair of contact surfaces
intersects the line defined by the first base portion on
the side of the closure fastening device away from the re-
ference pair of contact surfaces. In Fig. 3, the angle of
engagement A is defined by lines 34 and 33 and is a positive
angle of engagement.
As used herein, a negative angle of engagement
occurs when the line defined by the pair of contact
surfaces intersects the line defined by the first base
portion on the same side of the closure fastening device
as the reference pair of contact surfaces. In Fig. 3, the
angle of engagement B is defined by lines 36 and 33 and is,
therefore, a negative angle of engagement.
As used herein, a zero angle of engagement occurs
when the line defined by the pair of contact surfaces inter-
sects the line defined by the first base portion remotely
and, ideally, if the two lines are parallel.
As can readily be realized, the force needed to
disengage hook portions having a positive angle of engage-
ment is generally less than the force necessary to disengage
hook portions having a negative angle of engagement. Thus,
the closure fastening device of Fig. 3 is characterized by
being easier to open from the outside of the container 20
than it is from the inside of the container 20.
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It is evident that generally the larger the
negative angle of engagement, the greater the force neces-
sary for disengagement of hook portions. Of course, the
closure fastening device having a large negative angle of
engagement on the inside of the container can be opened
more easily if the angle of engagement for the hook portions
on the outside container is zero or positve or even a small
negative angle.
If at least one of the base portions 21 and 27 is
flexible, it tends to enable the closure fastening device
to be opened with relative ease. If both base portions
are flexible a relatively large negative angle of engage-
ment for each pair of hooks can be used.
Figs. 4 and 5 show a container 20' in which channel
elements 18' and 24' have been formed integral with a film
rather than being connected as in the case of the container
; 2~. The film including channel elements can be formed by
known extrusion methods.
Fig. 4 shows a typical container 20' having rela-
tively high internal pressure as indicated by the arrows.The forces on the channel elements 18' and 24' are shown
by arrows. The forces on the inside of the container 20'
tend to press the webs 22' and 28' together while at the
same time the channel elements 18' and 24' tend to be
pulled apart so that the hook portions 23' and 29' tend to
engage more tightly together and thereby maintain a tight
seal of the closure fastening device.
Fig. 5 shows the container 20' under low pressure
or evacuated condition. Again, the forces around the
channel elements 18' and 24' are indicated by arrows.
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It is expected that some leakage will occur between the
contact surfaces near the inside of the container 20' so
that a reduced pressure will be present in the compartment
30 and forces will be present on the outside surfaces of
base portions 21' and 27' and at hook portion 29' as
indicated by the arrows.
The Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C show three additional
embodiments of the invention. Fig. 6A shows a closure
fastening device in which both angles of engagement, Al and
Bl are negative angles. Fig. 6B shows a closure fastening
device in which the angle B2 is a negative angle whereas the
other angle of engagement is approximately a zero angle. The
zero angle of engagement enables an easy opening and is
preferable for the outside of a container.
Fig. 6C shows a closure fastening device similar
to that of Fig. 6A with flanges 41 and 42 for mounting the
closure fastening device easily on a film 45 to be formed
intG a container or onto a container lip portion or the like.
Fig. 7 shows an additional embodiment of the
invention featuring a spring element for maintaining an
improved seal for relatively high pressure from the left
side of the closure fastening device.
The closure fastening device 43 includes a first
channel element 44 having a spring element 46 extending from
the base portion 47 to the base portion 48 of the second chan-
nel element 49. The spring element 46 for relatively high
pressure from the left side of the closure fastening device 43
would be urged towards the base portion 48 and thereby tend
to increase the sealing action by providing a second seal.
The spring element 46 would preferably be bent in
the opposite direction for use in connection with a con-
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tainer to be evacuated. Such a closure fastening device would
be advantageous for so-called "home canning" by consumers.
The typical physical dimenstions of a closure fasten-
ing device of the invention with reference to Fig. 7 is as
follows:
1. TA is from about 0.012 to about 0.030 inch;
2. TB is from about 0.012 to about 0.030 inch;
3. W is from about 0.040 to about O.OgO inch;
4. L is from about 0.080 to about 0.150 inch.
Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the tape or
strip form of the invention with flanges. As shown the
channel elements 51 and 52 are attached to the base tapes
53 and 55; however, it is to be understood that the channel
element and base tape can be formed integrally similar to the
integrally formed closure and bag film of Figs. 4 and 5.
In addition to use with a container, the closure
fastening device can be used to electrically insulate wire
leads or bind together a group of wires. The closure device
can also be used as a flexible straw because a good seal at
the engaged surface is possible and the compartment defined
by the elements provides a passageway which does not collapse
when the closure fastening device is bent.
Generally, the closure device of the invention can
be manufactured in a variety of forms to suit the intended
use. In addtion to the embodiments shown in Figs. 4 and 5,
the elements can be positioned on opposite sides of a film.
Such an embodiment would be suited for enwrapping an object
or a collection of objects such as wires. Generally, the
, elements on a film should be parallel to each other but
,, this would depend on the intended use.
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I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to
be li.mited to the exact details of construction shown and
described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person
s~illed in the art.
Having thus described the invention, what I claim
as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent is as
~ollows:
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