US4767220A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interlocking closure bar for use in high temperature environment
Assignee: Glad Products Co
•
Filing: 1987-08-10
•
Granted: 1988-08-30
•
Expires: 2007-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A flexible container for storing foods in a freezer and cooking foods therein. The container includes an interlocking closure fastening device comprising an omega-shaped closure element and a co-acting clamping closure element. The co-acting clamping closure element may have a profile portion comprising two generally parallel arm portions wherein one of the arm portions terminates in an inwardly curved hook portion, and the other arm portion curves slightly inward prior to terminating in an outwardly extending clamp portion; or the profile portion may comprise two outwardly curved arm portions wherein one of the arm portions terminates in an inwardly curved hook portion, and the other arm portion curves inwardly prior to terminating in a slightly outwardly curved hook portion; or the profile portion may comprise one inwardly curved arm portion terminating in an inwardly curved hook portion, and one generally straight arm portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Ewald A. Kamp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:27
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D33/00; B65D33/16; B65D33/25; B65D33/2508; B65D33/2541; A; A44; A44B; A44B19/00; A44B19/10; A44B19/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A containers 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 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, and said second arm portion is adapted to engage in a clamping contact with one arm portion of said first closure element and wherein said first closure element and said second closure element are adapted to engage and disengage each other by means of a torquing action.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A containers 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 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, and said second arm portion is adapted to engage in a clamping contact with one arm portion of said first closure element and wherein said first closure element and said second closure element are adapted to engage and disengage each other by means of a torquing action.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said arm portions of said second closure element are generally parallel to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said arm portions of said second closure element are outwardly curved.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first arm portion of said second closure element is inwardly curved before terminating in said inwardly curved hook portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second arm portion of said second closure element terminates in an outwardly extending portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A container in accordance with claim 5 wherein said second closure element curves inwardly before terminating in said outwardly extending portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second arm portion of said second closure element is generally straight and extends generally perpendicular from said apex portion of said second closure element.
Claim 9
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 a straddling occlusion.
Claim 10
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 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said apex portion of said first closure element is arcuate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said apex portion of said first closure element is generally flat.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outwardly facing hook portions of said first closure element are curvilinear.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said apex portion of said second closure element is arcuate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said apex portion of said second closure element is generally flat.
Claim 16
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 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A container in accordance with claim 15 wherein said thermoplastic materials are selected from the group consisting of polyolefins and polyamides.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A container in accordance with claim 16 wherein said polyolefins include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutene.
Claim 19
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 20
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 21
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 22
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 23
Dependent Claim
53 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 said second arm portion of said second closure element.
Claim 24
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 25
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 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
A container in accordance with claim 24 wherein said inner layer of thermoplastic resin material has a melt temperature of at least about 140° C.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A container in accordance with claim 24 wherein said outer layer material is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamides, polysulfones, polyaryl sulfones, and polycarbonates.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
A container in accordance with claim 24 wherein said inner layer material is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container in accordance with claim 24 wherein said multilayer film includes a bonding layer between said outer layer and said inner layer.
Claim 30
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 31
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 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container in accordance with claim 30 wherein said flange portions include a central portion which is unattached to each of said sidewalls.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
43 words
A container in accordance with claim 31 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 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
A container in accordance with claim 31 wherein said flange portions are fabricated thin enough to permit said central portions to stretch without causing a corresponding stretch in said sidewalls.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
45 words
A container in accordance with claim 31 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 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
A container in accordance with claim 31 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 37
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.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
168 words
A container comprising two sidewalls and a closure fastening deivce, 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 generally parallel 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, and said second arm portion terminates in an outwardly extending portion adapted to engage in a clamping contact with one arm portion of said first closure element and wherein said first closure element and said second closure element are adapted to engage and disengage each other by means of a torquing action.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
168 words
A container comprising two sidewalls and a closure fastening deivce, 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 generally parallel 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, and said second arm portion terminates in an outwardly extending portion adapted to engage in a clamping contact with one arm portion of said first closure element and wherein said first closure element and said second closure element are adapted to engage and disengage each other by means of a torquing action.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
A container in accordance with claim 37 wherein said second arm portion of said second closure element curves inward before terminating in said outwardly extending portion.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
38 words
A container in accordance with claim 37 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 a straddling occlusion.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container in accordance with claim 37 wherein said first closure element and said second closure element are made from thermoplastic materials.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
A container in accordance with claim 40 wherein said thermoplastic materials are selected from the group consisting of polyolefins and polyamides.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
A container in accordance with claim 41 wherein said polyolefins include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutene.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
37 words
A container in accordance with claim 37 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 46
Dependent Claim
50 words
A container in accordance with claim 37 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 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
A container in accordance with claim 44 wherein said inner layer of thermoplastic resin material has a melt temperature of a least about 140° C.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
A container in accordance with claim 44 wherein said outer layer material is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polysulfones, polyaryl sulfones, and polycarbonates.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
A container in accordance with claim 44 wherein said inner layer material is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container in accordance with claim 44 wherein said multilayer film includes a bonding layer between said outer layer and said inner layer.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
38 words
A container in accordance with claim 37 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 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
A container in accordance with claim 37 including flange portions attached to each of said first closure element and said second closure element and to each of said sidewalls.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container in accordance with claim 50 wherein said flange portions include a central portion which is unattached to each of said sidewalls.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
43 words
A container in accordance with claim 51 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 55
Dependent Claim
30 words
A container in accordance with claim 51 wherein said flange portions are fabricated thin enough to permit said central portions to stretch without causing a corresponding stretch in said sidewalls.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
45 words
A container in accordance with claim 51 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 57
Dependent Claim
31 words
A container in accordance with claim 51 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 58
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container in accordance with claim 37 wherein the thickness of said sidewalls is from about 1 mil to about 3 mils.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
195 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, an outwardly extending arm portion from each of said inwardly curved arm portions, each of said outwardly extending arm portions terminating in an outwardly curved hook portion; said second closure element comprising an apex portion and a profile portion extending from said apex portion, said profile portion comprising 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, and said second arm portion extends in a generally perpendicular direction from said apex portion and is adapted to engage in a clamping contact with at least one arm portion of said first closure element and wherein said first closure element and said second closure element are adapted to engage and disengage each other by means of a torquing action.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
195 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, an outwardly extending arm portion from each of said inwardly curved arm portions, each of said outwardly extending arm portions terminating in an outwardly curved hook portion; said second closure element comprising an apex portion and a profile portion extending from said apex portion, said profile portion comprising 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, and said second arm portion extends in a generally perpendicular direction from said apex portion and is adapted to engage in a clamping contact with at least one arm portion of said first closure element and wherein said first closure element and said second closure element are adapted to engage and disengage each other by means of a torquing action.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
38 words
A container in accordance with claim 57 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 a straddling occlusion.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container in accordance with claim 57 wherein said first closure element and said second closure element are made from thermoplastic materials.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
21 words
A container in accordance with claim 59 wherein siad thermoplastic materials are selected from the group consisting of polyolefins and polyamides.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
15 words
A container in accordance with claim 60 wherein said polyolefins include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutene.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
37 words
A container in accordance with claim 57 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 66
Dependent Claim
50 words
A container in accordance with claim 57 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 that said inner layer material.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
25 words
A container in accordance with claim 63 wherein said inner layer of thermoplastic resin material has a melt temperature of at least about 140° C.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
26 words
A container in accordance with claim 63 wherein said outer layer material is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polysulfones, polyaryl sulfones, and polycarbonates.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
20 words
A container in accordance with claim 63 wherein said inner layer material is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container in accordance with claim 63 wherein said multilayer film includes a bonding layer between said outer layer and said inner layer.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
38 words
A container in accordance with claim 57 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 72
Dependent Claim
29 words
A container in accordance with claim 57 including flange portions attached to each of said first closure element and said second closure element and to each of said sidewalls.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container in accordance with claim 69 wherein said flange portions include a central portion which is unattached to each of said sidewalls.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
43 words
A container in accordance with claim 70 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 75
Dependent Claim
30 words
A container in accordance with claim 70 wherein said flange portions are fabricated thin enough to permit said central portions to stretch without causing a corresponding stretch in said sidewalls.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
45 words
A container in accordance with claim 70 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 77
Dependent Claim
31 words
A container in accordance with claim 70 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 78
Dependent Claim
22 words
A container in accordance with claim 57 wherein the thickness of said sidewalls is from about 1 mil to about 3 mils.
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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) | 1991-08-30 | 1992-02-29 | 1992-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-30 | 1996-02-29 | 1996-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-30 | 2000-02-29 | 2000-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |