Storage container with zipper closure

Abstract

A storage container has an internal volume defined by at least one panel. Access to the internal volume is provided through an opening. A zipper is used to close the opening and the zipper is actuated by a slider. A locking mechanism for the slider is provided in the form of a housing into which the slider is received as the slider moves in a closing direction. When the slider is located in the housing, a locking cap, such as a child-proof cap, can be engaged onto the housing to prevent access to the slider.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 (A) at least one panel that defines an internal volume of the bag;   (B) at least one opening that provides access to the internal volume;   (C) a zipper enclosure operated by a slider that selectively closes the at least one opening; and   (D) a locking mechanism comprising:
 (a) a body that receives the slider; and 
 (b) a locking cap that engages the body and prevents the slider from being removed from the body while the locking cap is secured on the body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the body defines an internal cavity and wherein the slider is received into the internal cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the body comprises an opening through which the slider passes to exit the body. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the opening is hidden when the locking cap is engaged on the body. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein an engagement between the locking cap and the body is a childproof engagement. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the body comprises at least one flange for securing the body to the container. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the body comprises a ring that defines an internal cavity that receives the slider. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the ring comprises a circumferential groove that engages the locking cap. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the ring comprises a screw thread. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the body is secured to one side of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the body is secured to two sides of the container. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the zipper enclosure is provided in a side panel of the container. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the zipper enclosure is disposed in an edge of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one panel comprises at least one flexible panel. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one panel comprises at least one rigid panel. 
     
     
         16 . A locking mechanism for a container that is sealed by a zipper comprising a slider, the locking mechanism comprising:
 (a) a body that receives the slider; and   (b) a locking cap that engages the body and prevents the slider from being removed from the body while the locking cap is secured on the body.   
     
     
         17 . The locking mechanism of  claim 16  wherein the body defines an internal cavity that is sized and shaped to receive a slider into the internal cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The locking mechanism of  claim 16  wherein the body comprises an opening through which the slider passes to exit the body. 
     
     
         19 . The locking mechanism of  claim 16  wherein the body comprises at least one flange for securing the body to the container. 
     
     
         20 . A container defining an internal volume accessed through an opening, the container comprising:
 (A) closure means for selectively closing the opening;   (B) actuator means for actuating the closure means;   (C) housing means for receiving the actuator means; and   (D) locking means for locking the housing means to prevent access to the actuator means.   
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 20  wherein the housing means comprises attachment means for attaching the housing means to the container. 
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 20  wherein the housing means comprises cavity means for receiving the actuator means. 
     
     
         23 . The container of  claim 20  wherein the housing means comprises opening means for the actuator means to exit the housing means to actuate the closure means. 
     
     
         24 . A method for securing a container that is sealed by a zipper comprising a slider, the method comprising:
 (A) sliding the slider in a closing direction until the slider is received in a housing;   (B) securing a locking cap onto the housing to prevent the slider from exiting the housing.