US3858752A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Container having improved resealable closure system
Assignee: Plastics Res Corp
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Filing: 1974-02-04
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1994-02-04
Abstract
Abstract First and second flexible plastic body portions together define a container chamber and each comprise at least one side encircling the chamber. A resealable closure system is provided as follows. A seal flange is on at least one side of each body portion. The sealing flanges each encircle the chamber and are formed from the corresponding flexible plastic body portion. The sealing flanges have a side on each facing the other and a side on each oppositely facing the other. A stiffener is on at least one of the sealing flanges. The stiffener encircles the enclosure and is positioned on the oppositely facing side of the corresponding sealing flange. Releasable clamps are disposed around the chamber for forcing the sealing flanges toward each other. The clamp acts through the stiffener on the corresponding sealing flanges. The clamps each have a first condition forcing the sealing flanges together to a first spacing and a second condition allowing the sealing flanges to be separated. Structure is provided in between the facing sides of the sealing flanges such that when the first condition exists, the structure exerts substantially balancing reaction forces between the facing sides from the chamber to the exterior of the container. The structure comprises a resilient gasket encircling the chamber in between the facing sides of the sealing flanges. The gasket is structured for providing, between the facing sides of the sealing flanges and the gasket, a gas-tight seal. The closure system balances the forces applied by the clamps with reactions exerted by the gasket structure and substantially eliminates side forces.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Richard T Marvin
- 👤 Donald O Rasmussen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:00
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D11/00; B65D11/18; B65D11/1866; B65D11/188; B65D45/00; B65D45/02; B65D53/00; B65D53/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/91; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/1043; Y10T292/1044; Y10T292/1045; Y10T292/1049
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
A plastic container having improved resealable closure system comprising: a. first and second flexible plastic body portions together defining a chamber and each comprising at least one side encircling the chamber; b. a resealable closure system comprising 1. a sealing flange on the at least one side of each body portion, the sealing flanges each encircling the chamber and formed from the corrEsponding flexible plastic body portion and comprising a side on each, facing the other and a side on each oppositely facing the other, 2. a stiffener for each of the sealing flanges, the stiffeners encircling the chamber and positioned in opposed relation to each other on the oppositely facing sides of the corresponding sealing flanges, 3. a plurality of releasable clamps disposed around the chamber and comprising first and second opposed clamping sides for engaging oppositely facing sides of the stiffeners, the clamps each having a first condition of the clamping side, forcing the stiffeners and sealing flanges together to a sealed condition and a second condition allowing the sealing flanges to separate, and 4. a structure in between the facing sides of the sealing flanges when the first condition exists which exerts substantially balancing reaction forces between the facing sides from the chamber to the exterior of the container, the structure comprising a resilient gasket encircling the chamber in between the facing sides of the seal flange, the gasket being structured for providing, around the chamber, between the facing sides of the sealing flanges, a gas-tight seal with substantially balancing reaction forces from the chamber to the outer sides of the gasket, the structure thereby substantially eliminating side loading forces on the at least one side due to closure system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
283 words
A plastic container having improved resealable closure system comprising: a. first and second flexible plastic body portions together defining a chamber and each comprising at least one side encircling the chamber; b. a resealable closure system comprising 1. a sealing flange on the at least one side of each body portion, the sealing flanges each encircling the chamber and formed from the corrEsponding flexible plastic body portion and comprising a side on each, facing the other and a side on each oppositely facing the other, 2. a stiffener for each of the sealing flanges, the stiffeners encircling the chamber and positioned in opposed relation to each other on the oppositely facing sides of the corresponding sealing flanges, 3. a plurality of releasable clamps disposed around the chamber and comprising first and second opposed clamping sides for engaging oppositely facing sides of the stiffeners, the clamps each having a first condition of the clamping side, forcing the stiffeners and sealing flanges together to a sealed condition and a second condition allowing the sealing flanges to separate, and 4. a structure in between the facing sides of the sealing flanges when the first condition exists which exerts substantially balancing reaction forces between the facing sides from the chamber to the exterior of the container, the structure comprising a resilient gasket encircling the chamber in between the facing sides of the seal flange, the gasket being structured for providing, around the chamber, between the facing sides of the sealing flanges, a gas-tight seal with substantially balancing reaction forces from the chamber to the outer sides of the gasket, the structure thereby substantially eliminating side loading forces on the at least one side due to closure system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
a metal stiffener for each of the sealing flanges, the stiffeners encircling the chamber and positioned in opposed relation to each other on the oppositely facing sides of the corresponding sealing flanges,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
a metal stiffener for each of the sealing flanges, the stiffeners encircling the chamber and positioned in opposed relation to each other on the oppositely facing sides of the corresponding sealing flanges,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
a stiffener for each of the sealing flanges, the stiffeners encircling the chamber and positioned in opposed relation to each other on the oppositely facing sides of the corresponding sealing flanges,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
a stiffener for each of the sealing flanges, the stiffeners encircling the chamber and positioned in opposed relation to each other on the oppositely facing sides of the corresponding sealing flanges,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
a stiffener for at least one of the sealing flanges, the stiffener encircling the chamber and positioned on the oppositely facing side of the corresponding sealing flange,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
a stiffener for at least one of the sealing flanges, the stiffener encircling the chamber and positioned on the oppositely facing side of the corresponding sealing flange,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A container according to claim 1 wherein said stiffener is formed of a metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A container according to claim 2 wherein said stiffener has an L-shaped cross-section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
a plurality of releasable clamps disposed around the chamber and comprising first and second opposed clamping sides for engaging oppositely facing sides of the stiffeners, the clamps each having a first condition, forcing the sealing flanges to a sealed condition and a second condition allowing the sealing flanges to be separated, and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
a plurality of releasable clamps disposed around the chamber and comprising first and second opposed clamping sides for engaging oppositely facing sides of the stiffeners, the clamps each having a first condition, forcing the sealing flanges to a sealed condition and a second condition allowing the sealing flanges to be separated, and
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
a plurality of releasable clamps disposed around the chamber for forcing the sealing flanges toward each other, the clamps acting through the stiffener on the corresponding sealing flange, the clamps each having a first condition forcing the sealing flanges together to a sealed condition and a second condition allowing the sealing flanges to separate, and
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
a plurality of releasable clamps disposed around the chamber for forcing the sealing flanges toward each other, the clamps acting through the stiffener on the corresponding sealing flange, the clamps each having a first condition forcing the sealing flanges together to a sealed condition and a second condition allowing the sealing flanges to separate, and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
a plurality of releasable clamps disposed around the chamber and comprising first and second opposed clamping sides for engaging oppositely facing sides of the stiffeners, the clamps each having a first condition of the clamping side, forcing the stiffeners and sealing flanges together to a sealed condition and a second condition allowing the sealing flanges to separate, and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
a plurality of releasable clamps disposed around the chamber and comprising first and second opposed clamping sides for engaging oppositely facing sides of the stiffeners, the clamps each having a first condition of the clamping side, forcing the stiffeners and sealing flanges together to a sealed condition and a second condition allowing the sealing flanges to separate, and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
106 words
a structure in between the facing sides of the sealing flanges when the first condition exists which exerts substantially balancing reaction forces between the facing sides from the chamber to the exterior of the container, the structure comprising a resilient gasket encircling the chamber in between the facing sides of the seal flange, the gasket being structured for providing, around the chamber, between the facing sides of the sealing flanges, a gas-tight seal with substantially balancing reaction forces from the chamber to the outer sides of the gasket, the structure thereby substantially eliminating side loading forces on the at least one side due to closure system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
106 words
a structure in between the facing sides of the sealing flanges when the first condition exists which exerts substantially balancing reaction forces between the facing sides from the chamber to the exterior of the container, the structure comprising a resilient gasket encircling the chamber in between the facing sides of the seal flange, the gasket being structured for providing, around the chamber, between the facing sides of the sealing flanges, a gas-tight seal with substantially balancing reaction forces from the chamber to the outer sides of the gasket, the structure thereby substantially eliminating side loading forces on the at least one side due to closure system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A container according to claim 1 wherein said at least one side comprises a plurality of interconnected substantially flat sides.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
106 words
a structure in between the facing sides of the sealing flanges when the first condition exists which exerts substantially balancing reaction forces between the facing sides from the chamber to the exterior of the container, the structure comprising a resilient gasket encircling the chamber in between the facing sides of the sealing flanges, the gasket being structured for providing, between the facing sides of the sealing flanges and the gasket a gas-tight seal with substantially balancing reaction forces from the chamber to the outer sides of the gasket, the structure thereby substantially eliminating side loading forces on the at least one side due to closure system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
106 words
a structure in between the facing sides of the sealing flanges when the first condition exists which exerts substantially balancing reaction forces between the facing sides from the chamber to the exterior of the container, the structure comprising a resilient gasket encircling the chamber in between the facing sides of the sealing flanges, the gasket being structured for providing, between the facing sides of the sealing flanges and the gasket a gas-tight seal with substantially balancing reaction forces from the chamber to the outer sides of the gasket, the structure thereby substantially eliminating side loading forces on the at least one side due to closure system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
102 words
a structure in between the facing sides of the sealing flanges allowing the sealing flanges to be moved, with a fixed relative angular orientation, from the second to first spaced condition, the structure comprising a resilient gasket encircling the chamber in between the facing sides of the sealing flange, the gasket being structured for providing, around the chamber, between the facing sides of the sealing flanges a gas-tight seal with substantially equAl reaction forces from the chamber to the outer sides of the gasket, the structure thereby substantially eliminating side loading forces on the at least four sides due to closure system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
102 words
a structure in between the facing sides of the sealing flanges allowing the sealing flanges to be moved, with a fixed relative angular orientation, from the second to first spaced condition, the structure comprising a resilient gasket encircling the chamber in between the facing sides of the sealing flange, the gasket being structured for providing, around the chamber, between the facing sides of the sealing flanges a gas-tight seal with substantially equAl reaction forces from the chamber to the outer sides of the gasket, the structure thereby substantially eliminating side loading forces on the at least four sides due to closure system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
A container according to claim 4 wherein there are four sides.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
A container according to claim 1 wherein said gasket has a U-shaped cross-section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
66 words
A container according to claim 5 wherein said resealable closure system comprises: a. a stiffener on the oppositely facing side of each sealing flange; b. aligned openings for each clamp through said stiffeners and both sealing flanges; c. said clamps each comprising an elongated body portion extending through said aligned openings and enlarged portions at each end for engaging the oppositely facing sides of said stiffeners.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
63 words
A container according to claim 7 wherein said aligned openings in one of said stiffeners and the corresponding sealing flange is transversely elongated and one of each said clamps comprises a transversely elongated enlarged end portion which fits through the elongated opening and in between the legs of the U-shaped gasket when aligned and forms an interference with the stiffener when not aligned.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A container according to claim 1 wherein the facing sides of the stiffener and sealing flanges are free to slide relative to each other.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
A container according to claim 1 comprising means for coupling the stiffener to the corresponding sealing flange to permit relative surface movement therebetween due to differential expansion or contraction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
64 words
A container according to claim 10 wherein said coupling means comprises at least one set of aligned openings in said stiffener and corresponding sealing flange and a fastener extending therethrough having an enlarged opposite ends engaging the oppositely facing sides of said stiffener and corresponding sealing flange, at least one of said openings being larger than the outer perimeter of the fastener extending therethrough.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
66 words
A container according to claim 1 wherein said resealable closure system comprises: a. a stiffener on the oppositely facing side of each sealing flange; b. aligned openings for each clamp through said stiffeners and both sealing flanges; c. each said clamp comprising an elongated body portion extending through said aligned openings and enlarged portions at each end for engaging the oppositely facing sides of said stiffeners.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
A container according to claim 11 whereiN said aligned openings in one of said stiffeners and the corresponding sealing flange are transversely elongated and one of each said clamp comprises a transversely elongated enlarged end portion which fits into the elongated opening when aligned and forms an interference with the stiffener when not aligned.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
38 words
A plastic container having improved resealable closure system comprising: a. first and second flexible plastic body portions together defining a container chamber and each comprising at least one side encircling the chamber; b. a resealable closure system comprising
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
A plastic container having improved resealable closure system comprising: a. first and second flexible plastic body portions together defining a container chamber and each comprising at least one side encircling the chamber; b. a resealable closure system comprising
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
A container according to claim 14 wherein the sealing flange which is not recited as having a stiffener is rigid, thereby avoiding the need for a stiffener.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
A plastic container having improved resealable closure system comprising: a. first and second flexible plastic body portions together defining a container, having a chamber therein, each body portion comprising at least four interconnected rectangular sides encircling the chamber and an end; b. a resealable closure system comprising
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
47 words
A plastic container having improved resealable closure system comprising: a. first and second flexible plastic body portions together defining a container, having a chamber therein, each body portion comprising at least four interconnected rectangular sides encircling the chamber and an end; b. a resealable closure system comprising
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |