Patent Application
20180273251
The present invention relates generally to a resealable container with bayonet locking mechanism and method of use. More so, a resealable container seals articles inside an enclosed region of the resealable container, and restricts access to the enclosed region with a bayonet locking mechanism that rotatably locks and releases a handle that carries a slider device across a pair of interlocking strips that extend across an open edge of the resealable container.
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
Generally, reusable bags and such types of polymeric bag containers have a closure structure used for storing non-food items, food products, medical supplies, waste materials, and many other items. Typically bags are provided with mouths or openings along a top side thereof. The mouths or openings are defined by opposed side edges of the containers that can be coupled together along the top side (the closed position) or uncoupled so as to define the mouth or opening (the open position). To provide such a closable function, the opposite side edges of the containers are provided with cooperating structural features that can be coupled together or interlocked.
Often, such closure structure are operated by pressing the opposite sides of the mouth of the bag together. Using this type of bag-type closure, the user typically squeezes the opposite sides of the mouth together between his or her thumb and index finger and slides his or her finger and thumb along the mouth of the bag so that the cooperating interlocking or coupling structures are engaged together. An alternative approach that some people take is to squeeze incremental portions of the opposite sides of the mouth of the bag together along the length there. Once closed, the mouth of the bag can be opened by gripping and pulling the opposite sides of the mouth of the bag apart. Such a bag is resealable.
It is known in the art that a fastening mechanism consisting of a cylindrical male side with one or more radial pins, and a female receptor with matching L-shaped slots and with springs to keep the two parts locked together. The L-shaped slots are defined by a short upward segment at the end of the horizontal arm. The pin slides into the vertical arm of the L, rotates across the horizontal arm, then is pushed slightly upwards into the short vertical arm by the spring. At this point, the connector is no longer free to rotate unless pushed down against the spring until the pin is out of the slot. This is substantially a bayonet locking mechanism.
Other proposals have involved lockable and resealable bags. The problem with these containment systems and methods is that they do not form a secure lock through a bayonet locking mechanism. Also, the handle used to control the slider device that opens and closes the interlocking strips is not easily accessible. Even though the above cited containment systems and methods meet some of the needs of the market, a resealable container with bayonet locking mechanism and method of use. More so, a resealable container seals articles inside an enclosed region, and restricts access to the enclosed region with a bayonet locking mechanism that rotatably locks and unlocks a handle to selectively release the handle to carry a slider device across a pair of interlocking strips on an open edge of the resealable container, is still desired.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a resealable container with bayonet locking mechanism and method of use. The resealable container is configured to seal articles inside an enclosed region, and restrict access to the enclosed region through us of a bayonet locking mechanism. The bayonet locking mechanism is configured to rotatably lock and release a handle that carries a slider device across a pair of interlocking strips along the mouth of the resalable container to open and close the mouth of the resealable container.
In some embodiments, the resealable container comprises a body portion having walls that are joined together to define an enclosed region. An elongated closure portion extends across open edges to regulate access through an opening. The elongated closure comprises a first and second interlocking strip that detachably mate for fastening and separating the open edges. A handle carries a slider device in a first direction along the elongated closure portion to fasten the interlocking strips, and a second direction to separate the strips. A bayonet locking mechanism fastens the handle to inhibit movement.
In one possible embodiment, the resealable container comprises a body portion that comprises a first wall and a second wall. The first wall is defined by multiple first closed edges and a first open edge. The second wall is defined by multiple second closed edges and a second open edge. The open edges separate to form an opening that leads to the enclosed region. The closed edges of the first and second walls join together to define at least one corner and an enclosed region. The corner may form a generally circular aperture.
An elongated closure extends across the open edges of the walls. The elongated closure is defined by a first interlocking strip and a second interlocking strip. The first and second interlocking strips are detachably fastenable to each other.
A slider device joins with the first interlocking strip and the second interlocking strip. The slider device is defined by a housing and a pair of inwardly tapered flanges. The slider device is operable to fastenably join the first interlocking strip and the second interlocking strip together when moving in a first direction. Conversely, the slider device is operable to separate the first interlocking strip from the second interlocking strip together when moving in a second direction.
A bayonet locking mechanism is detachably fitted in the aperture forming in the corner of the first and second walls. The bayonet locking mechanism works to regulate the movement and positioning of the slider device. In some embodiments, the bayonet locking mechanism may include a handle defined by at least one protrusion. The handle is hingedly connected to the slider device. The handle carries the slider device across the interlocking strips in the first and second directions.
In some embodiments, the bayonet locking mechanism may include an annular lock defined by at least one L-shaped slot, the L-shaped slot being sized and dimensioned to receive the protrusion from the handle. The annular lock rotates to engage and disengage the L-shaped slot and the protrusion. The annular lock selectively restricting and releasing the handle for movement across the interlocking strips in the first and second directions through rotatable engagement and disengagement between the protrusion and the L-shaped slot.
In some embodiments, the bayonet locking mechanism may include a male retention member and a female retention member. The retention members are configured to engage the handle and the annular lock from both sides of the walls. The retention members help retain the handle and the annular lock in the aperture forming in the corner of the walls.
In another aspect, the elongated enclosure is a polyethylene zipper.
In another aspect, the first wall and the second wall are transparent.
In another aspect, the first wall and the second wall include at least one of the following: a low density polyethylene, a material similar to low density polyethylene, and a resilient polymer known in the art for food grade and material storage.
In another aspect, the interlocking strips terminate at the aperture and one of the closed edges of the walls.
In another aspect, the first direction traveled by the slider device is towards the aperture in the corner of the walls.
In another aspect, the second direction traveled by the slider device is away from the aperture in the corner of the walls.
In another aspect, the bayonet locking mechanism forms a snug relationship through the aperture in the corner of the walls.
In another aspect, the handle forms a snap fit relationship with the male retention member.
In another aspect, the male retention member is disposed along the first wall.
In another aspect, the female retention member is disposed along the second wall.
In another aspect, the resealable package is a zip lock resealable container.
One objective of the present invention is to provide a resealable container that can be locked to restrict access to an enclosed region through use of a bayonet locking mechanism.
Another objective is to protect food and other items from freezing, air, moisture, and external contaminants.
Another objective is to provide a slider device that is easy to operate with the fingers.
Another objective is to apply a small force to force the first and second interlocking strips into closure or separation.
Another objective is to provide a handle that pivotally detaches from the annular lock and the male retention member by rotating the annular lock in an unlocking direction.
Another objective is to provide an inexpensive to manufacture resealable container with a bayonet locking mechanism.
Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “first,” “second,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions, or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as may be further described or explained by the entire written specification of which this detailed description is an integral part. The drawings are intended to be read together with the specification and are to be construed as a portion of the entire “written description” of this invention as required by 35 U.S.C. § 112.
In one embodiment of the present invention presented in
In some embodiments, the resealable container 100 with bayonet locking mechanism, hereafter “resealable container 100” is configured to restrict access to the enclosed region 150 containing the articles through use of a bayonet locking mechanism 130 that releases and restricts movement of a handle 132. The handle 132 is selectively released, or restricted from movement, to carry a slider device 128 across a pair of interlocking strips 124, 126 extending across the open edges of the resealable container 100. Thus, the handle 132 can be restricted from sliding across the interlocking strips 124, 126 when it is desirable to seal the resealable container 100; or released to slide across the interlocking strips 124, 126 when it is desirable to gain access to the enclosed region 150 of the resealable container 100.
As referenced in
In some embodiments, the first wall 104 is defined by multiple first closed edges 106 and a first open edge 108. The second wall 110 is defined by multiple second closed edges 112 and a second open edge 114 (
Those skilled in the art will recognize that resealable packages are convenient in that they can be closed and resealed after the initial opening to preserve the enclosed contents. The need to locate a storage container for the unused portion of the products in the package is thus avoided. As such, providing products in resealable packages appreciably enhances the marketability of those products. In one non-limiting embodiment, the walls 104, 110 are of a resilient, transparent polymer construction; and the resealable container 100 overall, is a Ziplock™ resealable container. Though other types of resealable containers may be used.
The first wall 104 of the body portion 102 is defined by multiple first closed edges 108 and a first open edge 106. As
Looking now at
In one possible embodiment, the interlocking strips 124,126 may include a microscopic J-shaped grooves (“hooks”) and arrowhead-like stems that interlock. However, any zipper-like mechanism known in the art may be used to fasten and release the interlocking strips 124,126 to each other. Though in other embodiments, different bag closure mechanisms known in the art may be used to fasten together and release the interlocking strips.
The elongated closure 122 is operated by pressing the opposite sides of the interlocking strips 124, 126 at the open edges 108, 114 of the walls 104, 110 together. Using this type of closure, the user typically squeezes the opposite sides of the open edges 108, 114 together between the slider device 128, displacing the slider device 128 along the open edges 108, 114 of the walls 104, 110 so that the cooperating interlocking strips are engaged together. Once closed, the open edges 108, 114 of the walls 104, 110 can be opened by sliding the slider device 128 in a first direction 152 to pull the opposite open edges 108, 114 of the walls 104, 110 apart. This allows the body portion 102 to be reusable for storing different items.
Looking now at
In some embodiments, the slider device 128 travels in a first direction 152 along the elongated closure 122 portion to fasten the open edges 108, 114. The inwardly tapered flanges 148 are sized and dimensioned to engage the interlocking strips 124, 126 from opposite sides and progressively move them into engagement to close the body portion 102 when the slider device 128 is moved in a first direction 152 along the elongated closure 122 (
In some embodiments, a bayonet locking mechanism 130 comprises a handle 132 having at least one protrusion 142. The handle 132 is hingedly connected to the slider device 128, whereby the handle carries the slider device 128 across the interlocking strips 124, 126 in the first and second directions 152, 154. In one embodiment, the handle 132 is configured to attach to the slider device 128. The handle 132 provides a gripping surface for carrying the slider device 128 across the interlocking strips 124, 126. The handle 132 is also detachable from the other components of the bayonet locking mechanism 130. In this manner, the handle 132 can detach from the other components of the bayonet locking mechanism 130 to carry the slider device 128 across the elongated closure 122.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the handle 132 carries the slider device 128 in the second direction, i.e., enable open edges 108, 114 to separate, through rotation of the handle 132 until the protrusion 142 extending from the handle 132 is disengaged from the L-shaped slot 144 in the annular lock 136. In this manner, the handle 132 pivots out to provide a gripping surface and carries the slider device 128 in the second direction, so that the open edges 108, 114 of the walls 104, 110 separate.
The bayonet locking mechanism 130 inhibits the slider device 128 from traveling in the second direction through rotation of the handle 132 until the protrusion 142 extending from the handle 132 engages the L-shaped slot 144 in the annular lock 136. This inhibition of the slider device 128 maintains the open edges of the walls 104, 110 in a joined disposition since the slider device 128 cannot separate the first and second interlocking strips 124, 126.
In operation, the annular lock 136 rotates in an unlocking direction to disengage the protrusion 142 from the L-shaped slot 144. As
In addition to the handle 132 and the annular lock 136, the bayonet locking mechanism 130 further comprising a male retention member 134 and a female retention member 138 (
In one embodiment, the retention members 134,138 have a generally circular shape that substantially matched the circular shape of the aperture 140 formed in the corner 118 of the walls of the body portion 102 of the resealable container 100. The circular shape also helps the annular lock 136 to rotate in and out of contact with the handle 132. The retention members 134, 138 may engage at their edges in a snap-fit relationship, forming a tight sandwich over the annular lock 136 and handle 132.
The method 200 may include an initial Step 202 of providing a resealable container, the resealable container defined by walls that forms an enclosed region for storing items. The method 200 may further comprise a Step 204 of rotating an annular lock in an unlocking direction to disengage a protrusion of a handle from an L-shaped slot of an annular lock, whereby a bayonet locking means releases the handle for movement. A Step 206 includes pivoting the handle outwardly. Thus, the handle 132 is gripped and pivoted about the annular lock 136. to carry the slider device 128 across the elongated closure 122 in the second direction for separating the first and second interlocking strips 124,126.
In some embodiments, a Step 208 comprises sliding, with the handle, a slider device across a first and second interlocking strip in a second direction along open edges of the walls. A Step 210 includes placing the items through an opening between the interlocking strips into the enclosed region. In some embodiments, a Step 212 may include sliding, with the handle, the slider device across the first and second interlocking strip in a first direction 152 along open edges of the walls.
In some embodiments, a Step 214 comprises pivoting the handle inwardly to a snap-fit engagement with a male retention member. A final Step 216 includes rotating the annular lock in a locking direction to restrict movement by the handle, whereby a bayonet locking means locks the handle to the annular lock. Conversely, to lock the handle 132, the handle 132 is slid back into engagement with the annular lock 136 and the annular lock 136 is rotated in the lock direction. This creates a bayonet fastening mechanism that is known in the art for selective and secure locking and easy unlocking.
Although the process-flow diagrams show a specific order of executing the process steps, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted from the process-flow diagrams for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all the process steps shown in the process-flow diagrams can be combined into a single process.
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
This application claims the benefits of U.S. provisional application No. 62/474,537, filed Mar. 21, 2017 and entitled BAYONET LOCK RESEALABLE BAG, which provisional application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62474537 | Mar 2017 | US |
