Self-Sealing Closure System and Method

Abstract

The self-sealing closure system includes a flexible, overlapping, interlocking closure with a continuous backing membrane to provide a secure, durable, and redundantly impermeable barrier operated by finger pressure or by an optional easy-to-operate, zipper-like cursor, with an optional locking end cap.

Therefore, having thus described the invention in detail, I hereby claim the following: 
     
         1 . A self-sealing closure including a first portion for interlocking with a second portion, said second portion comprising:
 A plurality of nodules, each said nodule having a generally bulbous upper surface and a generally planar underside which partially overhangs a receptor between the ribs of a grid-like structure, each such rib having a rib top, sidewalls and a rib bottom;   and said nodule protruding from an interstice of said ribs wherein said underside is generally coplanar with said rib tops on a common joining plain;   and wherein each said receptor is defined by a plurality of said undersides, a plurality of said sidewalls, and a contiguous membrane integral with and generally coplanar with said rib bottoms, each said receptor having a volume somewhat greater than the volume of each said nodule;   and wherein said second portion is configured so that the width of the space between adjacent said ribs is at least as wide as the width of each said nodule and the depth of said ribs as measured from said rib top to said rib bottom is at least as deep as the height of said nodules above said ribs, and the distance between adjacent said nodules is at least as wide as the width of said ribs;   and further wherein at least parts of said second portion also includes elastomeric segments and a lateral selvage strip;   so that, when said nodules of said second portion are generally aligned with receptor openings of said first portion, and said first and second portions are subjected to a generally compressive force, said elastomeric segments generally deform to allow corresponding respective nodules of each said portion to bypass until said undersides of corresponding said nodules expand into an interfaced disposition with corresponding undersides, and corresponding said rib tops interface along said common joining plane;   Thereby forming an interlocked assembly connecting said first and second portions which is also highly resistant to the flow of liquid, gaseous, or biological matter, and which said assembly may be disconnected by sequentially peeling said portions apart.   
     
     
         2 . A closure as in  claim 1 , wherein said generally compressive force is provided by longitudinally sliding cursor;
 said cursor comprising a generally tapered entrance chamber with means for alignment and a separator bar, a generally tapered chamber terminating at a compressive slot, and a generally expanding exit chamber terminating at a mouth;   wherein said cursor comprises a singular integral structure with longitudinal alignment walls and longitudinal slots for said selvage, configured so that when said sliding cursor is directed in a first longitudinal direction said first and second portions are sequentially into an interlocked assembly;   and when said cursor is directed in a second opposite longitudinal direction said first and second portions a sequentially separated.   
     
     
         3 . A closure as in  claim 1  comprised of a generally elastomeric material. 
     
     
         4 . A closure as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second portions each include an integral lateral selvage strip for attachment to a substrate. 
     
     
         5 . A closure as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second portions each include an integral lateral selvage strip for attachment to a substrate. 
     
     
         6 . A closure as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second portions are segments of protective apparel. 
     
     
         7 . A closure as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second portions are segments of an air lock. 
     
     
         8 . A closure as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second portions are joining segments of a containment device. 
     
     
         9 . An interlocking closure for providing a generally impermeable seal between a first body and a second body comprising:
 A first portion integral with said first body including a plurality of receptors and associated receptor openings within a grid-like structure, a plurality of generally bulbous nodules protruding above a common joining plane, and a contiguous membrane integral with bottom surface of said grid-like structure and with said first body;   A second portion integral with said second body;   Said first and second portions configured so that, when subjected to a generally compressive force, said nodules of said first portion enters through said receptor openings and resiliently expands within said receptors of said second portion, thereby providing a sealed connection along said common joining plane between said first and second bodies.   
     
     
         10 . An interlocking closure as in  claim 9 , where said first and second bodies are segments of protective apparel. 
     
     
         11 . An interlocking closure as in  claim 9 , wherein said first and second bodies are segments of an air lock barrier. 
     
     
         12 . An interlocking closure as in  claim 9 , wherein said first and second bodies are segments of a device. 
     
     
         13 . An interlocking closure as in  claim 9 , wherein said first and second portions are composed of a generally elastomeric material. 
     
     
         14 . An interlocking closure as in  claim 9 , wherein said generally compressive force is provided by a longitudinally sliding cursor, and said cursor comprising a generally rigid structure with a generally tapered chamber for squeezing the first and second portions into an engaged juxtaposition when said cursor is moved in a first longitudinal direction, and a separating bar for alternatively disengaging assembled said portions when said cursor is moved in a second longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         15 . An interlocking closure as in  claim 9 , including a longitudinal rail for guiding a cursor and sealing the edges of said assembly. 
     
     
         16 . An interlocking closure as in  claim 2 , including said sliding cursor and a self-sealing end cap, said end cap including means for sealing together end selvage segments and said membranes of each said portion and tightly connecting with said cursor, and also including a pull-tab latching mechanism for locking said cursor to said end clamp, configured so that the portions are impenetrably squeezed together as said cursor and said end clap engage. 
     
     
         17 . An interlocking closure as in  claim 9 , with said membrane extending laterally as a selvage strip. 
     
     
         18 . An interlocking closure as in  claim 2 , wherein said cursor includes an integral pull tab with optional latching means, which may be used to securely connect with the choice of a second said cursor in opposite disposition or with an end cap. 
     
     
         19 . An interlocking closure as in  claim 9 , wherein said cursor includes an integral pull tab with latching means, which may be used to securely connect with the choice of a second said cursor in opposite disposition or with an end cap. 
     
     
         20 . A method of interlocking two bodies which is highly resistant to the flow of liquid, gaseous, or biological matter, comprising the following steps:
 a. Providing first and second portions as per  claim 1 ;   b. Integrally attaching said first portion to a first body;   c. Integrally attaching said second portion to a second body;   d. Generally aligning said nodules of said first portion with said receptor openings of said second portion;   e. sequentially compressing said first portion toward said second portion, until corresponding said nodules resiliently expand into said receptors and undersides of corresponding respective nodules and said rib tops generally align along said common joining plane;   
       thereby interlocking said first and second bodies in a generally impermeable disposition.