US3782601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bi-stable closure for flexible bags
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-13
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Granted: 1974-01-01
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Expires: 1992-04-13
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a snap-closure for flexible bags, including two curved portions linked through a flexible, integral web. The respective curvatures of the portions and of the web are such that one of the portions can be flexed through a dead-center position to a position of inverted curvature, being held in either position by the resilience of the other portion.
Inventors
- 👤 A Krawagna
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:21
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D33/00; B65D33/16; B65D33/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A snap-closure for flexible bags, comprising: a flexible plate portion sufficiently strong to resist creasing and rupture, and a resilient collar stiffer than the plate portion, the collar seeking an unstressed configuration in which one edge of the collar is crooked, the collar being integral along said one edge with a mating edge of the plate portion through a flexible web, said flexible web being more crooked when the collar is unstressed than it is when the plate portion is flat, wherebY the plate portion can be flexed between two stable positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A snap-closure for flexible bags, comprising: a flexible plate portion sufficiently strong to resist creasing and rupture, and a resilient collar stiffer than the plate portion, the collar seeking an unstressed configuration in which one edge of the collar is crooked, the collar being integral along said one edge with a mating edge of the plate portion through a flexible web, said flexible web being more crooked when the collar is unstressed than it is when the plate portion is flat, wherebY the plate portion can be flexed between two stable positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
An overtoggling snap closure for flexible bags, comprising: a resilient but flexible plate portion, and a resilient collar stiffer than the plate portion, the collar seeking an unstressed crooked configuration and being integral with said plate portion along one edge of the latter through a flexible web, any two spaced points along the web being closer together in true distance when the collar is unstressed than they are when the plate portion is flat, whereby the plate portion defines a curved surface when the collar is unstressed, and whereby the closure can be flexed between two stable positions through an intermediate dead-center position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
103 words
An overtoggling snap closure for flexible bags, comprising: a resilient but flexible plate portion, and a resilient collar stiffer than the plate portion, the collar seeking an unstressed crooked configuration and being integral with said plate portion along one edge of the latter through a flexible web, any two spaced points along the web being closer together in true distance when the collar is unstressed than they are when the plate portion is flat, whereby the plate portion defines a curved surface when the collar is unstressed, and whereby the closure can be flexed between two stable positions through an intermediate dead-center position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention claimed in claim 2, in which the collar when unstressed is configured as the arc of a circle, and in which said one edge of the plate portion has a concave curvature when the plate portion is flat, said concave curvature having a larger radius than said collar when the latter is unstressed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention claimed in claim 2, in which the plate portion has means adjacent opposite ends of said one edge for attachment to the corner of a flexible bag.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention claimed in claim 4, in which the thickness of the plate portion is smaller than that of the collar and greater than that of the web, and in which the plate portion is conically curved when unstressed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention claimed in claim 2, in which the plate portion is stiff enough to resist creasing under forces applied parallel with the plate portion when the latter is flat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
In combination: a flexible bag having a corner adapted to be opened as a pouring spout, and a snap-closure spanning between adjacent bag edges at said corner, the snap-closure comprising: a resilient but flexible plate portion, and a resilient collar stiffer than the plate portion, the collar seeking an unstressed crooked configuration and having an edge integral with said plate portion along one edge of the latter through a flexible web, any two spaced points along the web being closer together in true distance when the collar is unstressed than they are when the plate portion is flat, whereby the plate portion defines a curved surface when the collar is unstressed, and whereby the closure can be flexed between two stable positions through an intermediate dead-center position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
127 words
In combination: a flexible bag having a corner adapted to be opened as a pouring spout, and a snap-closure spanning between adjacent bag edges at said corner, the snap-closure comprising: a resilient but flexible plate portion, and a resilient collar stiffer than the plate portion, the collar seeking an unstressed crooked configuration and having an edge integral with said plate portion along one edge of the latter through a flexible web, any two spaced points along the web being closer together in true distance when the collar is unstressed than they are when the plate portion is flat, whereby the plate portion defines a curved surface when the collar is unstressed, and whereby the closure can be flexed between two stable positions through an intermediate dead-center position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention claimed in claim 7, in which said one edge of the plate portion is concave when the plate portion is flat, and the said collar edge when unstressed is in a substantially circular curve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention in claim 8, in which the plate portion is part of a frusto-conical surface, and in which said one edge corresponds to the conical section of smaller diameter, the plate portion having means adjacent opposite ends of said one edge for attachment to said adjacent bag edges at said corner.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention claimed in claim 7, in which the snap-closure includes a handle portion by which the bag can be supported.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention claimed in claim 7, which also includes a tab attached to the corner of said bag and joined to said snap-closure by a flexible strap member, the bag being adapted to be opened by cutting between the tab and the snap closure without severing the strap member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention claimed in claim 7, in which the plate portion incorporates a sealing rib adapted to contact the flexible bag.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |