HINGED CLOSURE APPARATUS

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to apparatuses for sealing bags, and more particularly, hinged closure apparatuses for sealing bags in a childproof, tamperproof, or airtight manner.

In many applications, a user of a bag or other flexible open container may wish to seal the bag or container to prevent items inside from escaping, to prevent spoilage of contents, or for any of a variety of other reasons. In addition, the user may wish to open and close the seal multiple times so as to have access to the contents as needed. Thus, various closure apparatuses have been made available for the sealing of bags in a temporary manner.

Many of these closure apparatuses are designed to allow a user to open and close a bag with as much ease and efficiency as possible, some of which employ a simple fastening mechanism to maintain closure of the bag. The fastening mechanism may be released with a single user action in order to allow quick and easy access to the bag's contents. In addition, the available closure apparatuses may seal a bag in such manner as to allow the bag's contents some degree of leakage or exposure to outside air.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved hinged closure apparatus that may securely seal a bag or flexible container in a childproof, tamperproof, and airtight manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention a hinged closure apparatus comprises a first limb having a first elongated panel with a first hinged end and a first free end opposite the first hinged end, and a first sealing member coupled with the first elongated panel and extending along a length of the first elongated panel; a second limb having a second elongated panel with a second hinged end and a second free end opposite the second hinged end, and a second sealing member coupled with the second elongated panel and extending along a length of the second elongated panel, wherein the second hinged end is movably coupled with the first hinged end; and a locking mechanism coupled with at least one of the first limb or the second limb, wherein the locking mechanism is adjustable to be in a locked position such that the first free end is removably fastened with the second free end and a seal is formed between a surface of the first sealing member and a surface of the second sealing member, the locking mechanism is releasable into an unlocked position such that the first free end is detached from the second free end, and a release from the locked position into the unlocked position requires simultaneously a first unlocking action and a second unlocking action.

In another aspect of the present invention, a hinged closure apparatus comprises a first elongated limb having a first hinged end, a first free end opposite the first hinged end, and a protruding structure extending from the first hinged end to the first free end, the protruding structure including a main branch extending outwardly from the first elongated limb, and at least one subbranch extending laterally outward from the main branch; a second elongated limb having a second hinged end, wherein the second hinged end is movably coupled with the first hinged end, a second free end opposite the second hinged end, and a recessed structure extending from the second hinged end to the second free end; and a locking mechanism coupled with at least one of the first elongated limb or the second elongated limb, wherein the locking mechanism is adjustable to be in a locked position, such that the first free end is removably fastened with the second free end, the protruding structure is received within the recessed structure, and a seal is formed between and along a length of the protruding structure and a length of the recessed structure.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a side perspective view of a hinged closure apparatus in an open position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of the hinged closure apparatus of FIG. 1A in a closed position;

FIG. 2A illustrates a side perspective view of the hinged closure apparatus of FIG. 1A in an open position with a bag;

FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the hinged closure apparatus of FIG. 1A in a closed position sealing a bag;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of a first limb of the hinged closure apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of a second limb of the hinged closure apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 5A illustrates a close-up side view of an end of the hinged closure apparatus of FIG. 1A, with a locking mechanism in a locked position;

FIG. 5B illustrates a close-up side perspective view of a free end of a first limb of the hinged closure apparatus of FIG. 1 A;

FIG. 5C illustrates a close-up top perspective view of a free end of a second limb of the hinged closure apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 6A illustrates a close-up cross-sectional view of a first sealing member and a second sealing member of the hinged closure apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 6B illustrates a close-up cross-sectional view of a first sealing member of the hinged closure apparatus of FIG. 1A; and

FIG. 6C illustrates a close-up cross-sectional view of a second sealing member of the hinged closure apparatus of FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or may only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a hinged closure apparatus for the secure sealing of bags or other flexible open containers. The closure apparatus may include a childproof locking mechanism requiring a two-step opening process that may be difficult for children to perform. Such a locking mechanism may provide a secure form of closure so as to prevent the accidental opening of the seal and the resulting spillage or exposure of contents within a bag. The locking mechanism may require more than a single action to be released, but may also be reasonably feasible and not overly cumbersome for an average adult user.

In addition, some embodiments of the closure apparatus may form an airtight seal along a bag, when the bag is locked within the apparatus. The airtight seal may prevent exposure of the bag's contents to outside air, release of odors from the bag's contents, or leakage of liquid from within the bag.

Some embodiments of the closure apparatus may also provide tamper-evident enabling features, which may deter the unauthorized opening of the seal. The closure apparatus may be produced with an attached bag, or as an independent product that may be used with a variety of bags or flexible containers.

FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B show various views of a hinged closure apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1A and 2A show the apparatus 100 in unlocked positions, and FIGS. 1B and 2B show the apparatus 100 in locked positions. The hinged closure apparatus 100 may include a first limb 110 shown as the top limb of the apparatus 100 in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B, and also independently in FIG. 3. The hinged closure apparatus 100 may include a second limb 160 shown as the bottom limb of the apparatus 100 in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B, and also independently in FIG. 4.

The first limb 110 may have a first elongated panel 120 with a first hinged end 112 and a first free end 114 opposite the first hinged end 112. A length 122 (as shown in FIG. 3) from the first hinged end 112 to the first free end 114 may generally form the long dimension of the first elongated panel 120. The second limb 160 may have a second elongated panel 170 with a second hinged end 162 and a second free end 164 opposite the second hinged end 162. A length 172 (as shown in FIG. 4) from the second hinged end 162 to the second free end 164 may generally form the long dimension of the second elongated panel 170. A first sealing member 130 may be coupled with the first elongated panel 120, and a second sealing member 180 may be coupled with the second elongated panel 170. The first limb 110 and second limb 160 may be rotatably or otherwise movably coupled at the first hinged end 112 and the second hinged end 162, so as to allow hinged movement of the limbs in relation to each other.

The hinged closure apparatus 100 may include a locking mechanism 200 arranged such that when the locking mechanism 200 is in a locked position such as that shown in FIGS. 1B, 2B and 5A, the apparatus 100 may be in a closed position such that the first sealing member 130 and the second sealing member 180 may be brought together to form a seal in between and along the surfaces of the two sealing members 130 and 180. When a bag is attached or placed between the first sealing member 130 and the second sealing member 180, the bag may be effectively sealed in between and along the surfaces of the two sealing members 130 and 180.

The locking mechanism 200 may require a two-step user action in order to be released into an unlocked position such as that shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A. When the locking mechanism 200 is in an unlocked position, the apparatus 100 may be in an open position such that a seal may be released between the first sealing member 130 and the second sealing member 180.

The locking mechanism 200 may be coupled with at least one of the first limb 110 or the second limb 160. The locking mechanism 200 may be adjustable to be in a locked position such that the first free end 114 may be removably fastened with the second free end 164. In the locked position, such as that shown in FIGS. 1B, 2B and 5A, a seal may be formed between a surface of the first sealing member 130 and a surface of the second sealing member 180.

The locking mechanism 200 may be releasable into an unlocked position such that the first free end 114 is detached from the second free end 164. A release from the locked position (such as that shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B) into the unlocked position (such as that shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A) may require a first unlocking action and a second unlocking action to be performed simultaneously. Execution of the second unlocking action may require execution of the first unlocking action beginning prior to and continuing through execution of the second unlocking action.

The locking mechanism 200 may include a first hook 210 coupled with the first free end 114 and a second hook 230 coupled with the second free end 164, the first hook 210 being latched to the second hook 230 when the locking mechanism 200 is in the locked position. In order to release the locking mechanism 200 from a locked position to an unlocked position, a user may first perform a first unlocking action. The first unlocking action may include pressure on the first hook 210 in an unlatching direction 212, as indicated in FIGS. 1B and 5A, that may unlatch the first hook 210 from the second hook 230. The user may subsequently perform a second unlocking action. The second unlocking action may include a movement of the second hook 230 in an unlocking direction 232, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 5A. The unlocking direction 232 may be different than the unlatching direction 212. The unlocking direction 232 (shown as a substantially sideways direction in FIGS. 1B and 5A) may be, for example, substantially perpendicular to the unlatching direction 212 (shown as a substantially downward direction in FIGS. 1B and 5A). Without first freeing the second hook 230 from the latching of the first hook 210, a user may not be able to move the second hook 230 in a direction so as to allow the first limb 110 to release contact with and separate from the second limb 160.

As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1B and 5A, the first hook 210 may need to be not only moved in a substantially downward unlatching direction 212, but also be held continuously with pressure in the unlatching direction 212, in order for a user to move the second hook 230 in a substantially sideways unlocking direction 232. Once the user successfully moves the second hook 230 in the unlocking direction 232, it may be necessary to continue holding the second hook 230 in the unlocking direction 232 so as to allow the first hook 210 to pass through upwardly without obstruction, in order to unfasten the first free end 114 from the second free end 164 and separate the first limb 110 from the second limb 160 into an open position of the closure apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 1A.

The first hook 210 may be coupled with the first free end 114 such that it hooks in a substantially upward direction. As indicated in the close-up drawings of FIG. 5A and 5B, the first free end 114 of the first elongated panel 120 may be of a smaller dimension than other portions of the first elongated panel 120, so as to leave an unlatching opening 214 between the first elongated panel 120 and the first sealing member 130. Unlatching opening 214 may provide space for movement of the first free end 114 and the first hook 210 in the unlatching direction 212, upon pressure from a user.

The second hook 230 may be coupled with the second free end 164 such that it hooks in a substantially downward direction. As indicated in the close-up drawings of FIG. 5A and 5C, the second hook 230 may include a connecting structure 236 coupled with the second free end 164 of the second elongated panel 170. The connecting structure 236 may extend vertically past the second limb 160, and be coupled with a hooking structure 239 which may be positioned to latch against the first hook 210 when the locking mechanism 200 is in a locked position as shown in FIG. 5A. A hook reinforcement 238 may be coupled with a top portion of the connecting structure 236 and a surface of hooking structure 239, and may provide reinforcement to the construction of the second hook 230. The connecting structure 236 may be configured so as to allow an unlocking opening 234 between the connecting structure 236 and a short edge of the second elongated panel 170. The configuration of the connecting structure 236 and the unlocking opening 234 may allow for flexibility in movement upon a user's pressure against the second hook 230 in an unlocking direction 232. Optionally, a connecting reinforcement 237 may be coupled with the connecting structure 236 and a surface of the second free end 164. The connecting reinforcement 237 may provide reinforcement to the construction of the connecting structure 236.

The limbs 110 and 160 or the locking mechanism 200 may be fully or partially formed using flexible material, such as but not limited to polyurethane, polypropylene and nylon. The surface of the first free end 114 may include a ribbed portion 240 or other form of texture, which may provide friction or increased security for a user's finger while pushing the first free end 114 in the unlatching direction 212. Other design features, which may aid in the general handling of the hinged closure apparatus 100, may also be included. As an example, design formations such as openings 128A-F may provide an aesthetic feature or friction against a user's fingers for ease of handling.

As another example, the first elongated panel 120 may include a first depressed portion 124 at an inner portion of the first elongated panel 120. A first reinforced portion 242 may surround the first depressed portion 124. The second elongated panel 170 may include a second depressed portion 174 at an inner portion of the second elongated panel 170. A second reinforced portion 244 may surround the second depressed portion 174. The depressed portions 124 and 174, along with the reinforced portions 242 and 244, may provide added ease of handling or security while being held by a user's fingers.

In addition, the first hook 210 may have a width similar to that of the first reinforced portion 242, and the second hook 230 may have a width similar to that of the second reinforced portion 244. The first hook 210, second hook 230, or connecting structure 236 may be formed with sufficient width so as to prevent accidental lateral unlatching of the hooks 210 and 230 while in a locked position.

However, the first hook 210 and the second hook 230 may be coupled in alternative manners with the first limb 110, the second limb 160 or both. The hooks 210 and 230 may also be latched in alternative configurations requiring the unlatching of one hook prior to the unlocking movement of the other hook, such as by, but not limited to, movement in opposing lateral directions of the hooks. The hooks 210 and 230 may be formed or coupled with the free ends 114 and 164, or other portions of limbs 110 and 160, in a variety of configurations and are not limited to the description above.

Further, the locking mechanism 200 may employ structures other than hooks in order to removably fasten the first free end 114 and the second free end 164 in a childproof manner. Other fastening structures which may require the simultaneous performance of a first user action and a second user action, in order to become unfastened, are contemplated within the scope of this invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, a first sealing member 130 may be coupled with the first elongated panel 120 and extend along a length 122 of the first elongated panel 120. As shown in FIG. 4, a second sealing member 180 may be coupled with the second elongated panel 170 and extend along a length 172 of the second elongated panel 170. When the locking mechanism 200 is in a locked position as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B, the first limb 110 and the second limb 160 may be in a closed position, and the first sealing member 130 may form a seal, which may be airtight, with the second sealing member 180. The seal may be formed in between, and along the respective lengths 122 and 172 of, the sealing members 130 and 180.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3 and 4, the first sealing member 130 may include a protruding structure 140, and the second sealing member 180 may include a recessed structure 190. The protruding structure 140 may be at least partially received within the recessed structure 190, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, when the locking mechanism 200 is in the locked position. A seal may thus be formed between and along a surface of the protruding structure 140 and a surface of the recessed structure 190.

The protruding structure 140 may extend from the first hinged end 112 to the first free end 114. As shown in detail in FIG. 6B, it may include a main branch 142, which may extend outwardly from the first limb 110. The protruding structure 140 may also include at least one subbranch 144A-144B, which may extend laterally outward from the main branch 142. At least one of the main branch 142 or the at least one subbranch 144A-144B may further extend from the first hinged end 112 to the first free end 114, as seen in FIG. 3.

The at least one subbranch 144A-144B may include multiple subbranches of varying dimensions. The multiple subbranches may include an outer subbranch 144A and an inner subbranch 144B. The outer subbranch 144A may be positioned closer than the inner subbranch 144B to the second limb 160. The inner subbranch 144B may be wider, and extend further away from the main branch 142, than the outer subbranch 144A.

The recessed structure 190 may extend from the second hinged end 162 to the second free end 164, and may be in the form of an elongated cavity. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6C, the recessed structure 190 may include an outer portion 190A and an inner portion 190B. The outer portion 190A may be positioned closer than the inner portion 190B to the first limb, and the outer portion 190A may be wider than the inner portion 190B.

Thus the protruding structure 140 may be configured to fit within the recessed structure 190, in such a manner as to fill the cavity as completely as possible, as shown in FIG. 6A. For example, the outer subbranch 144A may be received within the inner portion 190B, and the inner subbranch 144B may be received within the outer portion 190A. Thus, a tight seal may be formed along a portion of a bag 300 (such as that shown in FIG. 2B), between the protruding structure 140 and the recessed structure 190, when the closure apparatus 100 is in its locked position. The seal may provide airtight security for the bag's contents.

Other embodiments of the hinged closure apparatus may employ fewer or more subbranches, similar to the at least one subbranch 144A-144B, extending from main branch 142. In some alternative embodiments, the first sealing member 130 may include a structure similar to recessed structure 190, and the second sealing member 180 may include a structure similar to protruding structure 140. Further, various alternative structures and configurations may be employed within the sealing members 130 and 180 to provide a seal, which may be airtight, between the first and second limbs 110 and 160, and are contemplated within the scope of this invention.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first limb 110 and the second limb 160 may be formed independently of each other. The hinged closure apparatus 100 may further comprise a hinge fastening member 250 coupled with the first hinged end 112. The second hinged end 162 may include at least one hinge opening 260. The hinge fastening member 250 may be positioned through the at least one hinge opening 260 in a rotatable or other movable manner allowing hinged movement of the first limb 110 and the second limb 160 in relation to each other. Thus, the closure apparatus 100 may be rendered more sturdy and less breakable with repeated usage, than a configuration with limbs 110 and 160 formed as a single piece. Alternatively however, the limbs 110 and 160 may be formed together as a single piece.

The hinged closure apparatus 100 may include a tamper-evident enabling feature. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the first elongated panel 120 may include at least one tamper-evident enabling opening 126A-B, and the second elongated panel 170 may include at least one tamper-evident enabling opening 176A-B. The first limb 110 and the second limb 160 may be secured together with a string, plastic loop or tie, or other tying mechanism threaded through both a tamper-evident enabling opening 126A or 126B, and another tamper-evident enabling opening 176A or 176B. While the apparatus 100 is in a closed position, the tying mechanism may be looped through the openings 126A/176A or 126B/176B, and tied in a permanent manner such that any significant separation between the first limb 110 and the second limb 160 may require permanent breakage of the tying mechanism. The openings 126A-126B may be formed in various locations along the first elongated panel 120, and the openings 176A-176B may be formed in various locations along the second elongated panel 170. Fewer or more openings may be formed than that shown in FIGS. 1A-1B.

The hinged closure apparatus 100 may further comprise a bag 300, such as that shown in FIGS. 2A-2B. The bag 300 may be coupled at an exterior portion with the first sealing member 130 or the second sealing member 180. The bag 300 may be fixedly or removably attached along a surface of the first or second sealing member 130 or 180, or both. The bag 300 may be attached at an exterior surface of the bag near an opening 310 of the bag, such that a seal may be formed along the area of attachment when closure apparatus 100 is in a locked position, as shown in FIG. 2B.

Alternatively, the hinged closure apparatus 100 may be provided independently of any bag, and used to seal a variety of bags or flexible open containers. The apparatus 100 may be used with bags of various sizes, and may accommodate a bag of a width wider than the lengths 122/172 of the first and second elongated panels. A user may fold the bag so as to fit within the lengths 122/172, and then secure the bag between limbs 110 and 160.

Further, although embodiments of the invention have been described in the context of sealing bags, it is contemplated that other open containers or articles may be sealed or otherwise closed by the hinged closure apparatus embodiments of the invention.

The placements and directional configurations of the various elements of the exemplary embodiment 100 of the hinged closure apparatus in the drawings are shown as an example, and do not serve to limit the invention to any particular configuration. In addition, the outer surfaces, or portions thereof, of the hinged closure apparatus may be textured, and/or rubber or other high friction material may be added to the outer surfaces, or portions thereof, in order to aid in locking and unlocking the apparatus into and out of its closed position.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A hinged closure apparatus, comprising: a first limb having a first elongated panel with a first hinged end and a first free end opposite the first hinged end, and a first sealing member coupled with the first elongated panel and extending along a length of the first elongated panel;a second limb having a second elongated panel with a second hinged end and a second free end opposite the second hinged end, and a second sealing member coupled with the second elongated panel and extending along a length of the second elongated panel, wherein the second hinged end is movably coupled with the first hinged end; anda locking mechanism coupled with at least one of the first limb or the second limb, wherein the locking mechanism is adjustable to be in a locked position such that the first free end is removably fastened with the second free end and a seal is formed between a surface of the first sealing member and a surface of the second sealing member,the locking mechanism is releasable into an unlocked position such that the first free end is detached from the second free end, anda release from the locked position into the unlocked position requires simultaneously a first unlocking action and a second unlocking action.
2. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 1, wherein execution of the second unlocking action requires execution of the first unlocking action beginning prior to and continuing through execution of the second unlocking action.
3. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is formed using flexible material.
4. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism includes a first hook coupled with the first free end and a second hook coupled with the second free end, the first hook being latched to the second hook when the locking mechanism is in the locked position.
5. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first unlocking action includes pressure on the first hook in an unlatching direction that unlatches the first hook from the second hook.
6. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second unlocking action includes a movement of the second hook in an unlocking direction subsequent to being unlatched from the first hook, the unlocking direction being different than the unlatching direction.
7. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal is airtight.
8. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sealing member includes a protruding structure, and the second sealing member includes a recessed structure, such that the protruding structure is received within the recessed structure when the locking mechanism is in the locked position.
9. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 8, wherein the protruding structure includes a main branch extending outwardly from the first limb, and at least one subbranch extending laterally outward from the main branch.
10. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a hinge fastening member coupled with the first hinged end, wherein the second hinged end includes a hinge opening and the hinge fastening member is positioned through the hinge opening.
11. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first elongated panel includes a first opening and the second elongated panel includes a second opening.
12. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the first elongated panel is of a smaller dimension than a second portion of the first elongated panel.
13. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 1, wherein a surface of the first limb includes a textured portion.
14. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a bag coupled with the second sealing member, at an exterior portion of the bag.
15. A hinged closure apparatus, comprising: a first elongated limb having a first hinged end, a first free end opposite the first hinged end, and a protruding structure extending from the first hinged end to the first free end, the protruding structure including a main branch extending outwardly from the first elongated limb, and at least one subbranch extending laterally outward from the main branch;a second elongated limb having a second hinged end, wherein the second hinged end is movably coupled with the first hinged end, a second free end opposite the second hinged end, and a recessed structure extending from the second hinged end to the second free end; anda locking mechanism coupled with at least one of the first elongated limb or the second elongated limb, wherein the locking mechanism is adjustable to be in a locked position, such that the first free end is removably fastened with the second free end, the protruding structure is received within the recessed structure, and a seal is formed between and along a length of the protruding structure and a length of the recessed structure.
16. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 15, wherein the main branch and the at least one subbranch further extend from the first hinged end to the first free end.
17. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one subbranch includes multiple subbranches of varying dimensions.
18. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 17, wherein the multiple subbranches include an outer subbranch and an inner subbranch, the outer subbranch being positioned closer than the inner subbranch to the second elongated limb, and the inner subbranch extends further than the outer subbranch from the main branch.
19. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 15, wherein the recessed structure includes an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion being positioned closer than the inner portion to the first elongated limb, and the outer portion is wider than the inner portion.
20. The hinged closure apparatus of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism is releasable into an unlocked position such that the first free end is detached from the second free end, and a release from the locked position into the unlocked position requires a first unlocking action and a second unlocking action to be performed simultaneously.

HINGED CLOSURE APPARATUS

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Abstract

Description

Claims