US2012138623A1PendingUtilityA1

Instant snap closure mechanism

45
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Dec 1, 2010Filed: Dec 1, 2010Published: Jun 7, 2012
Est. expiryDec 1, 2030(~4.4 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Vishaal B. Verma
B65D 33/1658
45
PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to a system and method for providing a reclosable snap closure. One embodiment relates to a closure device, including at least one pivot member, a first member and a second member. The first member has a predefined length L S and is pivotally connected to the at least one pivot member. The second member has a predefined length L F such that L F ≧L S and is pivotally connected to the at least one pivot member and movably engages the first member, the first member creating a spring load, which is transferred through the at least one pivot member to at least the second member, thereby providing a relatively high pressure along a portion of at least the second member engaging the first member.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A closure device, comprising:
 at least one pivot member;   a first member having a predefined length L S  pivotally connected to the at least one pivot member; and   a second member having a predefined length L F  such that L F ≧L S  and pivotally connected to the at least one pivot member and movably engaging the first member, the first member creating a spring load which is transferred through the at least one pivot member to at least the second member, providing a seal along at least a portion of at least the second member engaging the first member.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising two pivot members pivotally connecting the first member and the second member. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the second member comprises a plurality of sub-members ranging in number from 1 through N, each sub-member having a predefined length L F1 , L F2  . . . L FN  such that L F1 +L F2 + . . . L FN. ≧L S , where at least one of the sub-members is pivotally connected to the pivot member. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the sub-members are comprised of a same material. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3  wherein at least two of the sub-members are comprised of a different material. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3  wherein at least one of the sub-members is comprised of the same material as the first member. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising the second member adapted to be moved from a closed position to an opened position by interrupting the spring load applied to the second member. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising interrupting the spring load applied to the second member by applying a light pressure to a portion of the second member. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising the second member adapted to remain in the opened position. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first member comprises a semi-rigid member and the second member comprises a flexible member. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first member comprises a plurality of sub-members ranging in number from 1 through N, each sub-member having a predefined length L S1 , L S2  . . . L SN  such that L F ≧L S1 +L S2 + . . . L SN , where at least one of the sub-members is pivotally connected to the pivot member. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first member comprises a plurality of first sub-members ranging in number from 1 through N, each first sub-member having a predefined length L S1 , L S2  . . . L SN , the second member comprises a plurality of second sub-members ranging in number from 1 through N, each second sub-member having a predefined length L F1 , L F2 , . . . L FN  such that L F1 +L F2 + . . . L FN. ≧L S1 +L S2 + . . . L SN  where at least one of the first members and the second sub-members are pivotally connected to the pivot member. 
     
     
         13 . A resealable container, comprising:
 at least one package defining an interior and having at least one open end enabling access to the interior; and   a closure device positioned proximate the at least one open end, the closure device comprising:   at least one pivot member;   a first member having a predefined length L S  pivotally connected to the at least one pivot member; and   a second member having a predefined length L F  such that L F ≧L S  pivotally connected to the at least one pivot member and movably engaging the first member forming a reusable seal proximate the at least one open end, the first member creating a spring load which is transferred though the at least one pivot member to at least the second member thereby providing a seal along a portion of a length of the second member engaging the first member.   
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13  further comprising two pivot members pivotally connecting the first member and the second member. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 13  further comprising the second member adapted to be moved from a sealed position to an opened position by interrupting the spring load applied to the second member. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 13  further comprising interrupting the spring load applied to the second member by applying a light pressure to a portion of the second member. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 13  further comprising the second member adapted to remain in the opened position enabling access to the interior of the container. 
     
     
         18 . A method for accessing a container, comprising:
 providing at least one package having at least one closure device, the at least one package defining an interior and at least one open end enabling access to the interior, the at least one closure device positioned proximate the at least one open end, the closure device comprising:   at least one pivot member;   a first member having a predefined length L S  pivotally connected to the at least one pivot member; and   a second member having a predefined length L F  such that L F ≧L S  pivotally connected to the at least one pivot member and adapted to movably engage the first member forming a reusable seal proximate the at least one open end;   pivotally moving at least the second member about the at least one pivot member from a sealed position to an opened position;   accessing the interior; and   applying a force to at least the second member, pivotally moving at least the second member about the pivot member from the opened position to the closed position, providing a seal along a portion of a length of the second member engaging the first member.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein pivotally moving at least the second member about the at least one pivot member from a closed position to an opened position further comprises interrupting the spring load applied to the second member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising maintaining the second member in the opened position until the force is applied, enabling access to the interior of the container. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising moving at least the second member about two pivot members.

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