Closure Systems and Insulating Devices Having Closure Systems

Abstract

A closure having a first flange with first engagement mechanism and a second with a second engagement mechanism disposed between the first end and the second end. The first engagement mechanism configured to engage the second engagement mechanism. A slider configured to selectively engage the first engagement mechanism and the second mechanism when moved in a first direction and disengage the first engagement mechanism from the second engagement mechanism when moved in a second direction. The closure is substantially watertight in the closed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closure system comprising:
 a first flange having a first end, a second end and a first engagement mechanism disposed between the first end and the second end;   a second flange having a first end, a second end and a second engagement mechanism disposed between the first end and the second end;   the first engagement mechanism configured to engage the second engagement mechanism, and the closure system having an open position wherein first engagement mechanism is substantially disengaged from the second engagement mechanism and a closed position wherein the first engagement mechanism is substantially engaged with the second engagement mechanism;   a slider configured to selectively engage the first engagement mechanism and the second mechanism when moved in a first direction and disengage the first engagement mechanism from the second engagement mechanism when moved in a second direction; and   a closure indicator configured to indicate that the closure system is in a fully closed position;   wherein the closure system is substantially watertight in the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the closure system is watertight up to 7 psi above atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the closure system is watertight up to 2 psi to 14 psi above atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first end and the second end of the closure system comprise a flexible material. 
     
     
         5 . The closure system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one resilient member engaged with the first flange and the second flange, wherein the at least one resilient member is configured to bias the closure system open. 
     
     
         6 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first engagement mechanism and the second engagement mechanism comprise a flexible material. 
     
     
         7 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement mechanism and the second engagement mechanism comprise zipper teeth. 
     
     
         8 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement mechanism and the second engagement mechanism each comprise a plurality of rails. 
     
     
         9 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the closure indicator is a visual indicator. 
     
     
         10 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the closure indicator is an audible indicator. 
     
     
         11 . The closure system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bottom stop, the bottom stop engaged with the first end of the first flange and the first end of the second flange; and   a docking station, the docking station engaged with the second end of the first flange and the second end of the second flange;   wherein the closure indicator comprises the docking station having a predetermined color and when the slider is fully engaged with the docking station the predetermined color is not visible.   
     
     
         12 . The closure system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bottom stop, the bottom stop engaged with the first end of the first flange and the first end of the second flange; and   a docking station, the docking station engaged with the second end of the first flange and the second end of the second flange;   wherein the closure indicator comprises the docking station having a first portion having a first color and a second portion having a second color, wherein when the slider is fully engaged with the docking station both the first color and the second color are visible and when the slider is not fully engaged with the docking station only one of the first or second color are visible.   
     
     
         12 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the closure indicator comprises:
 a first portion of the first and second engagement mechanism having a first color; and   a second portion of the first and second engagement mechanism having a second color;   
     
     
         13 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the closure indicator comprises a flap of fabric positioned underneath the first engagement mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the closure indicator comprises a light configured to turn off when the first and second engagement mechanisms are fully engaged. 
     
     
         15 . A container comprising:
 an outer shell;   an opening extending through the outer shell; and   a closure system adapted to substantially seal the opening, the closure system comprising:   a first flange engaged with the container, the first flange having a first end, a second end and a first engagement mechanism disposed between the first end and the second end;   a second flange engaged with the container, the second flange having a first end, a second end and a second engagement mechanism disposed between the first end and the second end;   the first engagement mechanism configured to engage the second engagement mechanism, and the closure system having an open position wherein first engagement mechanism is substantially disengaged from the second engagement mechanism and a closed position wherein the first engagement mechanism is substantially engaged with the second engagement mechanism;   a slider configured to selectively engage the first engagement mechanism and the second mechanism when moved in a first direction and disengage the first engagement mechanism from the second engagement mechanism when moved in a second direction; and   a closure indicator configured to indicate that the closure system is in a fully closed position;   wherein the container is substantially watertight when the closure system is in the closed position.   
     
     
         16 . The container of claim  16 , wherein the closure system is watertight up to 7 psi above atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the first engagement mechanism and the second engagement mechanism comprise zipper teeth. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the first engagement mechanism and the second engagement mechanism each comprise a plurality of rails. 
     
     
         19 . A closure system comprising:
 a first flange having a first end, a second end and a first engagement mechanism disposed between the first end and the second end;   a second flange having a first end, a second end and a second engagement mechanism disposed between the first end and the second end;   the first engagement mechanism configured to engage the second engagement mechanism, and the closure system having an open position wherein first engagement mechanism is substantially disengaged from the second engagement mechanism and a closed position wherein the first engagement mechanism is substantially engaged with the second engagement mechanism;   a slider configured to selectively engage the first engagement mechanism and the second mechanism when moved in a first direction and disengage the first engagement mechanism from the second engagement mechanism when moved in a second direction;   a bottom stop, the bottom stop engaged with the first end of the first flange and the first end of the second flange; and   a docking station, the docking station engaged with the second end of the first flange and the second end of the second flange; and   a closure indicator configured to indicate that the closure system is in a fully closed position;   wherein the first engagement mechanism and the second engagement mechanism comprise zipper teeth.   
     
     
         20 . The closure system of  claim 19 , wherein the closure indicator is a visual indicator.