Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A container comprising two sidewalls and a closure fastening device, said fastening device comprising a first closure element and a second closure element; said first closure element having a general omega shape, comprising an apex portion and a profile portion extending from said apex portion, said profile portion comprising two inwardly curved arm portions terminating in two outwardly facing hook portions; said second closure element comprising an apex portion and a profile portion extending from said apex portion, said profile portion comprising outwardly curved first and second arm portions, wherein said first arm portion terminates in an inwardly curved hook portion adapted to engage in a hinging contact with one arm portion of said first closure element, said second arm portion of said second closure element first curving inwardly and then terminating in an outwardly curved portion adapted to engage in a clamping contact with one arm portion of said first closure element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A container comprising two sidewalls and a closure fastening device, said fastening device comprising a first closure element and a second closure element; said first closure element having a general omega shape, comprising an apex portion and a profile portion extending from said apex portion, said profile portion comprising two inwardly curved arm portions terminating in two outwardly facing hook portions; said second closure element comprising an apex portion and a profile portion extending from said apex portion, said profile portion comprising outwardly curved first and second arm portions, wherein said first arm portion terminates in an inwardly curved hook portion adapted to engage in a hinging contact with one arm portion of said first closure element, said second arm portion of said second closure element first curving inwardly and then terminating in an outwardly curved portion adapted to engage in a clamping contact with one arm portion of said first closure element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first closure element and said second closure element are adapted to engage and disengage each other by means of a torquing action so as to form an overlapping occlusion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first closure element and said second closure element are made from thermoplastic materials.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A container in accordance with claim 3 wherein said thermoplastic materials are selected from the group consisting of polyolefins and polyamides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A container in accordance with claim 4 wherein said polyolefins include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first closure element and said second closure element are made from a mixture of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene-diene monomer elastomer, or a mixture of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene copolymer elastomer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said closure fastening device in an occluded position has a height of between about 0.050 to about 0.100 inch as measured from the apex portion of said first closure element to the apex portion of said second closure element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second closure element has a height of between about 0.040 to about 0.080 inch as measured from the apex portion of said second closure element to the tip of said second arm portion of said second closure element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first closure element has a height of between about 0.040 to about 0.080 inch as measured from the apex portion of said first closure element to the highest part of the profile portion of said first closure element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second closure element has a width of between about 0.061 to about 0.130 inch as measured from the widest part of said first arm portion of said second closure element to the widest part of second arm portion of said second closure element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first closure element has a width of between about 0.040 to about 0.105 inch as measured between the tips of said outwardly facing hook portions of said first closure element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sidewalls comprise a multilayer film having at least one outer layer of thermoplastic resin material and at least one inner layer of thermoplastic resin material, and wherein said outer layer material has a higher melt temperature than said inner layer material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A container in accordance with claim 12 wherein said inner layer of thermoplastic resin material has a melt temperature of at least about 140° C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A container in accordance with claim 12 wherein said outer layer material is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polysulfones, polyaryl sulfones, and polycarbonates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A container in accordance with claim 12 wherein said inner layer material is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container in accordance with claim 12 wherein said multilayer film includes a bonding layer between said outer layer and said inner layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first closure element and said second closure element are arranged in confronting relationship to each other and are permanently connected to said sidewalls near the opening of said container.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 including flange portions attached to each of said first closure element and said second closure element and to each of said sidewalls.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container in accordance with claim 18 wherein said flange portions include a central portion which is unattached to each of said sidewalls.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
A container in accordance with claim 19 wherein said flange portions are fabricated from a polymer significantly weaker in tensile strength than the film of said sidewalls, thereby to permit said central portions to stretch without causing a corresponding stretch in said sidewalls.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A container in accordance with claim 19 wherein said flange portions are fabricated thin enough to permit said central portions to stretch without causing a corresponding stretch in said sidewalls.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
A container in accordance with claim 19 wherein said flange portions are fabricated from a polymer significantly weaker in tensile strength than the film of said sidewalls, and thin enough to permit said central portions to stretch without causing a corresponding stretch in said sidewalls.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
A container in accordance with claim 19 wherein said closure device automatically opens to permit the venting of vapor pressure within the container during the heating of contents in said container.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the thickness of said sidewalls is from about 1 mil to about 3 mils.