Shaped elastomeric container with integrated leak-proof seal and pressure shield

Abstract

A container made of elastomer (such as silicone) with integrated leakproof seal and pressure shield. The seal contains a pinch element sized and shaped to provide a strong seal against liquid leakage from the interior of the container, and the seal is integrated into the container without the need for external clips or clamps. The pressure shield increases leakproofness by at least 300%, and is formed by adding material to the interior of the container rather than the joint portion of the seal, and functions by deflecting pressure away from both leakproof seal portions. Additional features are provided to facilitate opening, such as an extended tab for pulling the side apart, and an asymmetric cavity for the pinch element to reduce the initial opening force. The container can include a hole, and the container is asymmetrically shaped, such as trapezoidal, to provide a wide opening and strong seal.

Description

[0001] Divisional Application

[0002] This application is a divisional application of Application Number 202180024135X, filed February 8, 2021, entitled “Shaped Elastomeric Container with Integrated Leak-Proof Seal and Pressure Shield,” which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 945,703, filed July 31, 2020, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 783,318, filed February 6, 2020, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0003] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0004] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 945,703, filed July 31, 2020, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 783,318, filed February 6, 2020, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0005] BACKGROUND TECHNICAL FIELD

[0006] One or more embodiments relate to the field of storage and transport bags and containers and seals for such bags and containers. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, one or more embodiments enable shaped elastomeric bags to have integrated leak-proof seals and pressure shields. Embodiments can be used for storing, transporting, and cooking food (including liquids), as well as other applications. Embodiments can be durable and reusable. Embodiments of the present invention incorporate leak-proof seals and pressure shields, using mechanisms integrated into the container to provide enhanced sealing, in some embodiments, the pressure shield increases the leak-proofness of the seal and container by at least 300%, and in other embodiments, the container has a leak-proof seal without a pressure shield, the pressure shield increases the leak-proofness by at least 400%, for example, when the contents of the bag exert pressure on the seal, for example, when the bag is squeezed or compressed or dropped. This significant improvement is unexpected because the pressure shield comprises only a small fraction of the overall container weight, and the pressure shield element does not constitute part of the interlocking leak-proof seal element. One or more embodiments of the container include an outer aperture, also referred to as a connection aperture, which enables the embodiments to be coupled to another object, for example, by using a carabiner or other device.

[0007] Description of Related Art

[0008] Sealable bags and containers are well known in the art. For example, Ziploc® plastic bags have a zipper seal mechanism integrated at the opening of the bag. Recent innovations have improved sealable bags to be more durable, more suitable for reuse, some of which are based on silicone materials. For example, Munguia in U.S. Patent Publication 2013 / 0105352 and LeBoeuf in U.S. Patent Publication 2009 / 0110335 both teach silicone food storage bags with seals.

[0009] LeBoeuf discloses a seal with a track and groove, but notably, an additional mechanical clasp can be required as an additional closure method. Thus, the integrated seal portion of the container disclosed in LeBoeuf is not intended to be leak-proof without the use of an external clasp.

[0010] The deficiencies of existing sealable bags are that the integrated seal design provides a relatively weak seal based on the elastic properties of the elastomer. Plastic bags provide a weak seal, but for different reasons, primarily because the seal is too small, and the ridge formed from the hard plastic material used in the seal is about 10 times thinner than a human fingernail, i.e., 0.1 mm. For example, Ziploc® bags are closable, but they do not have a high leak-proofness. This lack of leak-proofness is a result of the relatively small seal area of the Ziploc® seal and the simple track and groove shape. In order for the ridge to be leak-proof when storing and subjected to internal forces that open the seal from the inside of the container, i.e., when the container is squeezed or dropped, the hardness of the seal must be outside the hardness range known as the Shore A scale and into the Shore D scale (i.e., 45-85 Shore D), typically in the range of 45-60 Shore D, typically above 50 Shore D when manufactured this small. Furthermore, when manufacturing a seal with this hardness, the extrusion defects cause slight variations in the thickness of the seal, which provides a low yield of containers with acceptable leak-proofness. In order to make the seal robust, the use of a slider is required to open and close the bag, i.e., to allow children or the elderly or the weak to open and close the bag. The slider typically provides an opening for leakage at the end of the slider. In these devices, additional structure must be utilized to form a seal around the slider portion that keeps the seal separate, i.e., to seal the slider portion itself to prevent leakage. The slider also presents a choking hazard to children when it falls off.

[0011] Koeppel taught this difficulty in providing an integrated leak-proof seal in U.S. Patent 2,500,363 in 1946. As Koeppel states: “The closure of containers of this nature has been formed in various ways, but when the opening in the bag or container is large enough to receive an ice cube or a relatively large piece of ice, it is difficult to effectively seal the opening. In order to overcome this difficulty, efforts have been made to provide a thickened portion around the opening of the container having complementary saw-tooth or tongue and groove surfaces to form a seal. However, even such structures do not effectively prevent leakage unless they are pressed together with considerable force.” Koeppel then teaches a design that uses an external mechanical clip attached to the bag to provide the necessary sealing force. In this sense, Koeppel arrives at a similar solution as LeBoeuf using an external clasp.

[0012] Other attempts to manufacture silicone containers with leak-proof seals have failed, including U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0270579 to Nouri (one of the inventors herein), also published as WO 2014 / 163712. The '579 publication includes a seal that is prone to leaking at both ends when configured without "fastening mechanisms" attached to both ends of the seal.

[0013] Silverman, U.S. Patent No. 2,674,289, teaches a rubber container, i.e., a tobacco pouch, that is formed inside-out. This eliminates the step of adhering a seal to the container and simplifies the mold because the container can be inverted after forming. However, Silverman's seal tapers at the ends and, when inverted for use, results in the ends having no sealing force at all because the tapering of the seal results in the ridges and indentations at the ends of the seal not making contact, i.e., the ends are not sealed. Thus, Silverman's design requires rivets, a leather jacket, and a separate zipper (e.g., external structure) to hold the seal together. Silverman also requires additional manufacturing steps such as riveting the ends of the seal and is not leak-proof unless an external structure (e.g., rivets) is utilized.

[0014] While the use of external clips or mechanical fasteners can provide a seal, they are less convenient for the user and require additional manufacturing costs and complexity.

[0015] Svec, U.S. Patent No. 2,780,261, is directed to a flat plastic bag having an air and moisture tight seal as taught in Col. 1:15-18. Svec also teaches only one embodiment intended for containing liquids. The liquid containing embodiment of Svec, like Silverman, is not leak-proof. Figure 7shown, and is the only embodiment intended to contain liquids (not moisture) inside when the internal pressure forces the seal to open, such as when external pressure is applied to the container (i.e. when dropped or squeezed). Svec teaches in column 7, lines 15-31, the additional critical structure required to contain liquids, i.e. to prevent the fluid inside the container from leaking. As shown in annotated Figure 15A, the orange and red portions of the seal 1510 (i.e. 1511 and 1512) require pressure to be maintained on the seal to provide liquid leak prevention. The amount of material required in Svec is approximately twice the amount of material utilized in the embodiments described herein in detail regarding the embodiments of the present invention for the pressure shield. Another disadvantage of Svec is that these locations in the interior volume of the container require pressure to be maintained on the seal to hold it together and prevent it from leaking, these locations are areas where food and / or liquids become trapped, which are difficult to clean and are potential bacterial traps. The green annotations on Svec (annotated as 13 and 14 in the ‘261 patent) and the applicant’s prior art and embodiments of the present invention (annotated as 101 and 102) are the portions of the container below the seal in each case. Blue represents the liquid, i.e. 1500 in all three Figures 15A, 15B and 15C.

[0016] Figure 15B is disclosed in the applicant’s own prior patent, i.e. US 9,371,153. The ‘153 patent does not consider Figure 15C the portions 1501 and 1502 shown in Figure 15B, in some embodiments of the present invention, depending on the size, the total additional amount of material used is about 5% while increasing the leak resistance by at least 400%. The pressure shield, e.g. the material between the seal and the interior of the container, results in unexpected results, as shown in Figures 19A-B, increasing the leak resistance by at least 300% in some embodiments and at least 400% in other embodiments, again increasing a very small amount of additional material in the form of a pressure shield that the present inventor did not consider in the ‘153 patent. Figure 19A shows a drop height of about 4 inches in the left figure and the result of the seal breaking and leaking in the right figure, i.e. for the prior art embodiment shown in Figure 15B. Figure 15C the embodiments of the present invention shown in Figure 19A-B provide a drop height increase of at least 4 times without leaking, e.g. when dropped from at least 16 inches as shown in the images in Figure 19B Figure 19A-B move to the right with time, which is not possible in the prior art embodiment shown in Figure 15B.

[0017] Based on the deficiencies in the prior art, there is a need for an elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal and pressure shield that does not require such additional elements to enhance the sealing force and provides higher leak resistance with minimal additional material that is easy to clean and reusable. SUMMARY

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention implement a molded elastomer container with an integrated leak-proof seal and pressure cover. Such a container can be used, for example, to store and transport liquids or solids or both, including food. Embodiments of the present invention can be various shapes and sizes, including but not limited to rectangular, square, circular, trapezoidal, cylindrical, oval, polygonal, cubic, or any shape that facilitates use of the container. Embodiments of the present invention utilize elastomers in their materials to provide properties such as flexibility, heat resistance, microbe resistance, and ease of manufacture. Other materials can also be used for molding, reinforcement, decoration, or any other purpose. Some embodiments can use silicone as one of the elastomers in the container. Silicone provides several potential advantages, including non-toxicity, non-stickiness, ability to be heated (e.g., in an oven), ability to be frozen (e.g., in a refrigerator), and ability to be molded into various shapes during the manufacturing process. One or more embodiments of the container include an outer aperture, also referred to as a connection aperture, that enables the embodiment to be coupled to another object, for example, by using a snap ring or other device.

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention can include two pieces of the outer shell, referred to as a top outer shell and a bottom outer shell. The top outer shell and the bottom outer shell can be connected along some of their edges to form a container with an opening. The edge closest to the opening is referred to herein as the front edge; the edge opposite the front edge is referred to as the back edge. The edges that go back and forth between the back edge and the front edge are referred to as the left edge and the right edge. The joint between the outer shell pieces can also be made of elastomer, or can be made of other materials. Any joining technique, such as molding, gluing, taping, sewing, stapling, welding, or any other technique, can be used to form the outer shell. The outer shell can partially enclose an interior volume designed to store or transport materials within the container. In some embodiments, the container can be rigid enough that this interior volume exists even when the container is empty. In other embodiments, the container can be designed to collapse when empty, so that the interior volume is not apparent unless an item is within the container.

[0020] Embodiments can open one or more edges of the enclosure completely or partially in order to add and remove material. Adjacent or near these open edges, embodiments can include a seal designed to isolate the interior of the container, the seal used to open and close the container. In some embodiments, the seal includes two elements, referred to as compression elements, designed to press together and seal when closed. The compression elements are referred to herein as a top compression element and a bottom compression element. They can be located anywhere on the container where it is desirable or convenient to provide a seal. The compression elements can have complementary profiles that converge at a common boundary when the elements are pressed together. Various embodiments of the invention employ compression element designs that contribute to the strength of the seal. In some embodiments, the seal is designed for leak resistance. For example, some embodiments provide a seal that can hold one to two cups of water inside the container without leaking, even when the container is inverted with the seal pointing downward.

[0021] In one or more embodiments of the invention, the leak resistant seal includes a first seal portion and a second seal portion that are coupled to one another along a boundary to seal the container and uncoupled from one another along the boundary to open the container.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the leak resistance of the seal is enhanced by using sufficient material thickness in the compression elements. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the maximum thickness of the first seal portion and the second seal portion relative to the average thickness is at least 1 mm, or at least 2 mm, or at least 3 mm, or greater than 3 mm. Thicker material in the compression elements can increase the sealing force of the seal. In some embodiments, the average material thickness of both the upper compression element and the lower compression element is at least 0.25 cm, in other embodiments, any value up to 0.5 cm, in other embodiments, any value between 0.5 cm and 0.75 cm, and in other embodiments, 1.0 cm, when measured across the common boundary between the compression elements. Specifically, to calculate the average thickness of the seal, i.e., from the first point of contact and the last point of contact in the seal, which can include one or more gaps, defines the width of the seal. The area of each portion of the convex compression element and the concave mating element is added by placing a grid on a cross section of the seal and counting the number of squares between the start of contact and the end of contact of the seal. The average thickness of the seal is found by dividing the area by the width. Other embodiments can use thicker material to achieve greater sealing. Some embodiments do not rely on material thickness as the primary factor in the strength of the seal, but instead or in addition use the shape of the compression elements to create enhanced leak resistance.

[0023] In one or more embodiments of the application, the front edge of the housing can be longer than the back edge. For example, the shape of the container can be generally trapezoidal, with the front edge longer than the back edge. Such embodiments can provide the benefit of a larger open area for adding and removing material. This benefit can be particularly valuable when the compression elements of the seal use thick material, as the opening can be squeezed together at the left and right edges.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the top compression element and the bottom compression element have one or more male or female elements that fit together to form part of the seal. Different embodiments can employ any convenient shape, size, and number of these male and female elements. In some embodiments, the top compression element or the bottom compression element, or both, can have a vertical protrusion that extends upward or downward into a corresponding cavity on the other compression element. In some embodiments, one or more vertical protrusions can have one or more horizontal ridges that extend horizontally from the vertical protrusion. These ridges can be implemented to lock into corresponding notches on the opposite compression element. Some embodiments use at least two horizontal ridges attached to a single vertical protrusion, with the at least two horizontal ridges vertically spaced apart at different heights to provide additional sealing force. Other embodiments can use only a single horizontal ridge, or no horizontal ridges. The shape and size of the vertical protrusion and the horizontal ridges, if present, can vary in different embodiments. For example, the horizontal ridges can be triangular, circular, oval, square, rectangular, or any other shape that extends horizontally from the vertical protrusion. In some embodiments, the vertical protrusion can be at least 0.2 cm, for example, 80% or any other percentage of the total thickness of the top and bottom compression elements, between any value from 0.4 cm and 0.6 cm in other embodiments, or 0.8 cm tall in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the horizontal ridges can be at least 0.1 cm wide or any other width, including any value greater than 0.1 cm, for example, 0.2 cm or wider.

[0025] To achieve a leak-proof seal, one or more embodiments of the present application can include compression elements having substantial dimensions and material thicknesses. Such a design presents potential challenges because the sealing elements can extend a substantial distance from the top and bottom housings. To mitigate this effect, one or more embodiments of the present application can offset the top and bottom compression elements so that they are more centered along the horizontal plane of the container. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the top compression element or the bottom compression element or both can have a cavity and a protrusion that extends above and below the center horizontal plane between the top and bottom housings. For example, the bottom compression element can have a cavity below the center horizontal plane and a vertical protrusion that extends above the center horizontal plane. Thus, one or more embodiments enable a container to have a leak-proof seal with sealing elements that are better aligned or centered with the sides, i.e., aligned with the edges of the container housing. Note that some embodiments with circular sides, whether joined together or simultaneously formed together, still have edges, although the edges are not as apparent, but are defined by the outermost points of the individual sides of the container. Furthermore, the thicker seal provides a tactile area to hold the container while minimizing the likelihood of the container falling. Thus, in one or more embodiments, based on the static coefficient of friction and based on the shape of the seal, when the seal is thick enough, the seal is configured to be a handle to hold the container to securely hold the desired contents.

[0026] In at least one embodiment of the present application, the first and second sealing portions include at least one respective protrusion or indentation that includes a geometry that is wider than another portion of the at least one respective protrusion or indentation. The seal can also include a gap, meaning that the shapes of the mutually corresponding ridges and notches (i.e., interlocking) can have different shapes, whether or not in full contact across the entire boundary. The contact trajectory, starting from the first point of contact of the seal from the inside of the container to the last point of contact of the seal from the furthest point outside of the container, “traverses” the cross-section of the seal, defining the boundary of the seal as defined below.

[0027] In one or more embodiments of the present application, using a leak-proof seal includes using a protrusion or indentation having a height of at least 2 mm and using a geometry having a width that is at least 1 mm thicker than the protrusion or indentation.

[0028] Using a leak-proof seal, by at least one embodiment, includes using a protrusion or indentation having a height of at least 2 mm and using a geometry having a width that is at least 2 mm thicker than the protrusion or indentation.

[0029] According to one or more embodiments, using the leak resistant seal includes using two or more of the at least one corresponding protrusion and the at least one corresponding indentation in the leak resistant seal.

[0030] At least one embodiment of the present invention includes forming the container with a width proximate the leak resistant seal that is greater than an opposite width of the container distal the leak resistant seal. In one or more embodiments, the leak resistant seal includes a first side and a second side that interengage. In at least one embodiment, the first side includes a different average thickness than the second side. In one or more embodiments, the first side is made of a different material than the second side. In at least one embodiment, the first side includes a different durometer value than the second side.

[0031] According to one or more embodiments, the leak resistant seal is made of a different material than a remainder of the container that does not include the leak resistant seal. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the leak resistant seal includes a different durometer value than a remainder of the container that does not include the leak resistant seal.

[0032] One or more embodiments of the present invention include forming the container with an elastomer having a hardness between 70 and 80 on a Shore A durometer scale. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes forming the container with an elastomer having a hardness between 40 and 90 on a Shore A durometer scale or at least less than or equal to 100.

[0033] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, forming the container includes forming the leak resistant seal between opposing edges of the container that is at least as thick as the leak resistant seal between the opposing edges. According to at least one embodiment, forming the container with an elastomer includes transfer molding, injection molding, liquid injection molding, or compression molding.

[0034] One or more embodiments include using an uncured, heat-curable elastomer, where forming the container with an elastomer includes heat curing the container.

[0035] At least one embodiment of the present invention includes forming the container in one forming step without the need to attach any material to the container after forming. In other embodiments, multiple parts can be formed before they are adhered together or before the container is inverted. One example is forming a top shell and a bottom shell separately, each defining a portion of the interior volume of the container, then adhering them together, then inverting the container inside out, i.e. the seal is inside the container after inversion. In other embodiments, the two parts can be formed separately. This requires an additional step to couple the parts together, for example by adhesion, where the top shell and bottom shell are coupled together in one step with the same material when they are formed simultaneously in one mold. In this example, the container still has two parts referred to as a top shell and a bottom shell, which are merely names for the sides of the container. Thus, "coupled" encompasses a container made from two separate parts, or made from two parts that are formed simultaneously and coupled within the mold, i.e. during the forming process. Any other features of the container are not critical to the performance of the container, for example, folds to facilitate storage and subsequent expansion for larger items contained within the container, or the color of the container or the specific shape of the container.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, coupling the leakproof seal includes gluing, adhering or attaching the leakproof seal to the container, coupling the leakproof seal by co-molding the container and leakproof seal together, or by over-molding the container to the leakproof seal, or by over-molding the leakproof seal to the container.

[0037] At least one embodiment of the present invention includes forming the leakproof seal without adhering or gluing the opposing sides of the leakproof seal at the opposing ends of the leakproof seal, i.e. such that there is a gap between the ends of one side and the other side of the seal, where the two seal portions eliminate the gap to provide a leakproof seal when inverted inside out. One or more embodiments of the present invention include forming a bottom on the container such that the container can stand upright.

[0038] At least one embodiment of the present invention includes forming a container with a thickness of 0.6 mm that increases to 1.8 mm at the opposing sides of the leakproof seal at the opposing ends of the container.

[0039] One or more embodiments of the present invention include forming a container with a thickness between 0.3 and 0.9 mm that increases to 1.2 to 2.4 mm at the opposing sides of the leakproof seal at the opposing ends of the container.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present invention, the top and bottom compression elements can extend to portions of the left or right edges of the top and bottom housings. In such embodiments, the opening mechanism for the container can include a seal that is wider at the top of the container or extends down the sides of the container or similar design along the sides, allowing the container to open wider than if only the front edge were opened. Such embodiments can provide considerable convenience by making it easier for the user to add or remove items from the container.

[0041] One or more embodiments of the present invention can provide flaps or tabs that extend from the front edge or sides of the top and bottom compression elements. Such flaps or tabs can be used to hold the edges of the container in order to pull it open from the sealed position. These flaps can be any convenient size or shape and can be placed in any convenient location. For example, in some embodiments, the flaps can be generally shaped like an arc, with their widest portions in the center of the front edge. In other embodiments, the flaps can consist of simple tabs that arise from the center of the front edge or from other locations. In some embodiments, there can be a bottom flap and a top flap, with the bottom flap being longer than the top flap. Other embodiments can reverse this arrangement and can have a top flap that is longer than the bottom flap. In other embodiments, the flaps can be the same size. The longer flaps or tabs can provide a lever arm for the user when pulling open the seal, allowing the user to more easily open the seal. This feature can be particularly valuable for very strong seals designed for leak resistance, as the user must have a mechanism to overcome the sealing force when opening the container. In one or more embodiments, there can be a gap between the top and bottom flaps to make it easier for the user to grab one or both of the flaps for opening.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, the top or bottom compression elements can include a vertical protrusion that is surrounded by two cavities, one in front of the protrusion and one behind the protrusion. In some embodiments, the depths of these two cavities can not be equal. For example, in one or more embodiments, the front cavity can be shallower than the back cavity. A potential advantage of this asymmetric shape of the compression element is that the force required to begin opening the seal from the front edge can be less than the sealing force toward the back edge. This can facilitate opening by the user while maintaining a strong seal. Once the user has broken the seal at the front cavity, the additional lever arm provided by the open portion of the compression element can be used to continue opening the back of the seal.

[0043] Embodiments of the present invention can include various shapes and sizes for the compression elements. In some embodiments, the shape of the border between the top compression element and the bottom compression element can significantly contribute to the sealing force. Embodiments can use a meandering path with multiple directional changes of the border to improve the seal. Such meandering paths provide two potential advantages. First, they can provide resistance to movement of the compression elements in multiple directions. Second, they can lengthen the distance that liquid can spill out of the seal, improving leak resistance. The direction of the resistance to movement is quantified by the normal vector direction of the border surface. In some embodiments, the border path can provide normal vectors pointing in four different directions, including up, down, forward, and backward. Some embodiments can provide more or fewer normal vectors. A normal vector is orthogonal to a surface at a point along a plane or curve, whether flat or curved. In some embodiments, the normal vectors of the border surface can point generally in these four directions, but can also point somewhere in all four quadrants of a vertical plane perpendicular to the front-to-back axis of the container. With normal vectors in all quadrants, the compression elements provide sealing force in all directions. In other embodiments, the meandering path of the border can change direction multiple times to provide multiple normal vectors in multiple or all directions on different segments of the border path. For example, in one or more embodiments, there can be at least three different border path segments, with a normal vector in each of the four directions or quadrants. Such a path further increases the sealing force.

[0044] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the border defines a contact path between the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion that is at least 2 times the horizontal distance between the path start point and the path end point. In one or more embodiments, the path is at least 2.5 times, or at least 3 times, or at least 4 times the horizontal distance between the path start point and the path end point, or at least 5 times the horizontal distance between the path start point and the path end point. Other metrics for measuring the seal can include measuring the border path of the seal, starting at the seal divergence point of the seal base or the flat portion of the seal, along the contact path between each side of the seal, back to a point on the flat portion of the seal near the original start point. This metric of the meandering path can result in a ratio of at least 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or greater than 10. In addition, there can be gaps within the seal to make the seal easier to open. For example, the gaps can be symmetrical on each side of any protrusion or cavity, or can be asymmetrical. For example, by including a gap on one side of a protrusion, the seal can be easier to open from the side with the gap.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the tortuous path of the crimp border will be significantly longer than the front-to-back horizontal straight-line distance across the crimp element. This longer path improves the seal by lengthening the path for liquid to exit the seal. For example, in some embodiments, the length of the border path is at least twice the horizontal front-to-back distance between the start and end points of the border path. Other embodiments can utilize longer border paths with greater distance ratios.

[0046] One or more embodiments of the invention include a pressure shield element that is in front of the seal of a container, or that is otherwise added to the interior of a container with a seal. In one or more embodiments, the leak-proof seal is located proximal to the exterior surface of the container and is separated from the container by a small amount of elastomeric material, with the pressure shield located inside the container. The pressure shield element greatly improves the ability of the seal to remain closed and not leak when subjected to internal pressure, which can be caused by external forces applied to the exterior of the container, such as when the container is squeezed or dropped. For example, if an elastomeric container is filled with liquid and then dropped or moved quickly, the motion of the liquid can create significant internal outward pressure on the walls of the container and the seal, depending on the direction of the force. Enough outward pressure causes the seal to peel away, causing a leak, however with the use of a pressure shield, the leak-proof seal embodiments do not peel away when the pressure shield is subjected to much higher pressures than embodiments that do not employ a pressure shield. The inventors have discovered the surprising result that by adding a small amount of material to the container in the form of a pressure shield in certain geometric proportions, such as about 5% in a medium-sized container, less than 2.5% in some embodiments, the leak-proofness is increased by at least 300% in some embodiments, and at least 400% in other embodiments, particularly without adding material to the joint portion of the seal itself, i.e., without adding material to the male or female portion with ridges and corresponding notches or cavities. The male and female portions of the leak-proof seal are the portions of the seal that actually hold the seal together when joined, and the pressure shield does not need to have male and female portions or interlocking elements that hold the seal together, yet improves the overall leak-proofness of the seal by at least 300%, which is very surprising because the pressure shield element does not directly hold the seal together, i.e., unlike the leak-proof seal crimp element that uses vertically offset ridges and corresponding notches to lock together.

[0047] The pressure exerted on the pressure shield (also inside the container) is spread over a larger area rather than converging on the compression element in the prior art seal. Embodiments of containers having a leak-resistant seal in combination with a pressure shield have, for example, at least 300% greater leak resistance in some embodiments and at least 400% greater leak resistance in other embodiments for liquid leaking from the interior of the inventor's container relative to a container having the same seal portion described in the '153 patent. This is surprising because the amount of additional material used is small and insignificant relative to the total amount of material used in the container. Moreover, the pressure shield does not surround the seal itself as in the prior art devices, which results in liquid, food, and bacteria potentially stagnating in the cavity, which is difficult to clean or otherwise sanitize. Moreover, the additional material used by the pressure shield is far less than the prior art devices, which have an area where the interior liquid can exert pressure on the seal, i.e., where the seal is effectively located inside the container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0048] The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

[0049] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the ideas conveyed by the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:

[0050] Figure 1 A perspective view showing the top and bottom shells and the top and bottom compression elements of an embodiment of the invention, closed.

[0051] Figure 2 A perspective view showing Figure 1 the top and bottom shells and the top and bottom compression elements of an embodiment of the invention, closed.

[0052] Figure 3 A perspective view showing Figure 2 the top and bottom shells and the top and bottom compression elements of an embodiment of the invention, closed.

[0053] Figure 4 A perspective view showing Figure 3 the top and bottom shells and the top and bottom compression elements of an embodiment of the invention, closed.

[0054] Figure 5 A perspective view showing the top and bottom compression elements of an embodiment of the invention, for example, showing their common boundary in bold lines.

[0055] Figure 6 A detailed feature of the lower compression element of an embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0056] Figure 7 A top view of an embodiment of the invention is shown, where the front edge is longer than the back edge.

[0057] Figure 8 A top and bottom compression element of an embodiment of the invention is shown, where the front vertical cavity is shallower than the back vertical cavity.

[0058] Figure 9 An embodiment of the invention is shown Figure 8 A compression boundary of an embodiment of the invention is shown, along with the horizontal normal vector to the boundary.

[0059] Figure 10 An embodiment of the invention is shown Figure 8 A compression boundary of an embodiment of the invention is shown, along with the vertical normal vector to the boundary.

[0060] Figure 11 An embodiment of the invention is shown Figure 8 A compression boundary of an embodiment of the invention is shown, along with the trace length of the boundary.

[0061] Figure 12 An embodiment of the invention is shown in an exploded view, where the compression element of the seal extends from the front edge to a portion of the left and right edges of the housing, when formed from one piece or for example before at least a portion of the top and bottom elements are attached. This embodiment also shows the top and bottom flaps extending forward from the seal.

[0062] Figure 13 An embodiment of the invention is shown Figure 12 A close-up view of the front of the embodiment shown.

[0063] Figure 14 Another embodiment of the invention is shown, where the compression element of the seal extends from the front edge of the housing to a portion of the left and right edges of the housing, and the top and bottom flaps are configured to have a vertical gap between them to facilitate grasping the flaps.

[0064] Figures 15A and 15B show a seal for containing a liquid within a container in the prior art. Figure 15C A seal from an embodiment of the invention is shown, with greatly improved leak resistance.

[0065] Figure 16A A view of the top and bottom seals of a seal, as well as the compression element. Figure 15C A view of the top and bottom seals of a seal, as well as the compression element.

[0066] Figure 16B An embodiment of the invention is shown Figure 16A A variant of the embodiment, with an improved geometry of the compression element, including a step.

[0067] Figure 16C An embodiment of the invention is shownFigure 16A Variations of the embodiments, featuring improved geometry of the pressure-resistant element, include ramps.

[0068] Figure 16D It shows Figure 16A Variations of the embodiments have improved geometry of the pressure-resistant element, including curved surfaces.

[0069] Figure 16E It shows Figure 16A A variant of the embodiment has an improved geometry of the pressure-resistant element, including a toothed ramp.

[0070] Figure 16F It shows Figure 16A Variations of the embodiments have improved geometries for the pressure-resistant elements, including non-linear shapes.

[0071] Figure 17 An embodiment of the present invention is shown, which has a wedge-shaped anti-compression element whose cross-section is approximately a right triangle.

[0072] Figure 18 Illustrative dimensions of the sealing and pressure-resistant elements according to embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0073] Figures 19A and 19B compare the prior art seal of Figure 15B with the embodiment of the present invention (e.g., Figures 15C to 18 The sealing performance of those shown is as follows. As shown in Figure 19A, as time increases from left to right, prior art seals fail when dropped from a height of 4 inches, while the embodiments of the seals detailed herein include additional pressure-resistant elements, even as... Figure 19B It will not fail even if dropped from a height of 16 inches, as shown.

[0074] Figure 20 An embodiment of the container is shown, which includes an external aperture, also known as a connection hole, which allows the embodiment to be coupled to another object, for example, by using a snap ring or other device. Detailed Implementation

[0075] A molded elastomeric container with an integrated leak-proof seal and a pressure shield will now be described. In the following exemplary description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the ideas described herein. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the ideas described herein can be practiced without taking into account all aspects of the specific details described herein. In other instances, specific aspects well-known to those skilled in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure this disclosure. The reader should note that although examples of the inventive concepts illustrated are widespread throughout this disclosure, the invention is defined only by the full scope of the claims and any equivalents.

[0076] Figure 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of the present application container seal closure is shown. In some embodiments, the material of the container can include an elastomer, such as silicone or other rubber or polymer. Other materials can be included in various embodiments. In some embodiments, certain portions of the container can be rigid; in other embodiments, these portions can be flexible. Embodiments including silicone provide the benefit of heat resistance; thus, for example, such embodiments can be placed in an oven to heat food contained in the container. Some embodiments can be configured for repeated use; others can be configured for single use. One or more embodiments of the present application include forming an elastomer into a container (as well as other embodiments detailed herein beyond those of Figure 1 One or more embodiments of the present application include forming an elastomer into a container having a hardness between 70 and 80 on the Shore A hardness scale, or in any case less than 100 Shore A. At least one embodiment of the present application includes forming an elastomer into a container having a hardness between 40 and 90 on the Shore A hardness scale, or in any case less than 100 Shore A.

[0077] Figure 1 An embodiment of a container having a top shell 101 and a bottom shell 102 is shown. The top shell 101 has a front edge 110, a back edge 111, a left edge 112, and a right edge 113. In embodiments, the top and bottom shells shown are continuous when formed from one piece, or in embodiments where the appliance is formed using multiple pieces, are connected by a seam along the back, left, and right edges. The front edge is not permanently connected, but is in contact when closed, and is held closed by a sealing element extending forward from the front edge. The top and bottom shells can be formed or connected using integral molding of both shells, or can be connected together by various other methods. In some embodiments, it is desirable that the joint between the top and bottom shells is continuous, without gaps, so that the container can hold liquids without leaking. Further, a thicker seal, such as seal 110, provides a tactile area to hold the container while minimizing the likelihood of the container falling. Thus, in one or more embodiments, based on the coefficient of static friction of the material used to make at least the seal portion of the container, and based on the shape of the seal, the seal 110 is configured as a handle to hold the container, for example, from the top (as shown on the right in Figures Figure 1 、 12 and 14 on the right), so as to securely hold the desired contents.

[0078] Figure 2 An embodiment of a container having a top shell 101 and a bottom shell 102 is shown. The top shell 101 has a front edge 110, a back edge 111, a left edge 112, and a right edge 113. In embodiments, the top and bottom shells shown are continuous when formed from one piece, or in embodiments where the appliance is formed using multiple pieces, are connected by a seam along the back, left, and right edges. The front edge is not permanently connected, but is in contact when closed, and is held closed by a sealing element extending forward from the front edge. The top and bottom shells can be formed or connected using integral molding of both shells, or can be connected together by various other methods. In some embodiments, it is desirable that the joint between the top and bottom shells is continuous, without gaps, so that the container can hold liquids without leaking. Further, a thicker seal, such as seal 110, provides a tactile area to hold the container while minimizing the likelihood of the container falling. Thus, in one or more embodiments, based on the coefficient of static friction of the material used to make at least the seal portion of the container, and based on the shape of the seal, the seal 110 is configured as a handle to hold the container, for example, from the top (as shown on the right in Figures Figure 1explosion view, the top housing 101 and the bottom housing 102 are shown separately. Thus, the container shown can be formed from two separate pieces, or in one forming step, where the two pieces are effectively formed at the same time. This figure is not meant to indicate that the container is or needs to be constructed in any way from two separate pieces that are constructed prior to being coupled to one another. Rather, this is simply an explosion view showing two portions or pieces of the container, whether formed at the same time and coupled to one another or coupled together at a later time. Thus, the embodiments of the invention described as having two pieces are meant to be generic in meaning, either two separate pieces that are attached at a later time or two pieces that are formed together to make the container. As Figure 1 The top housing 101 has edges 110, 111, 112, and 113. Extending forward from the front edge 110 of the top housing 101 is a top crimp element 231. In Figure 2 The edges of the bottom housing 102 are also visible in FIG. 1 10: front edge 210, back edge 211, left edge 212, and right edge 213. In the embodiment shown, the edges 210, 211, 212, and 213 of the bottom housing are in contact with the edges 110, 111, 112, and 113 of the top housing, respectively, when the container is closed. In other embodiments, the edges of the top and bottom housings can not be in complete contact even when the container is closed, to allow for flaps to open or other perforated structures or attachment elements, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. Attached to the front edge of the bottom housing 102 is a bottom crimp element 232. In the embodiment shown, the crimp elements extend forward from the front edge of the housing halves. In other embodiments, the crimp elements can be oriented differently; for example, in some embodiments, they can extend rearward from the front edges of the top and bottom housings, i.e., wrap down or otherwise engage at least a portion of the sides. The specific location of the crimp elements can vary, so long as they are able to mate together to seal the container. In some embodiments, the crimp elements can extend from the front edge to a portion of the left or right edge of the top and bottom housings. Again, the top and bottom housings can be coupled to one another during the forming process or coupled separately, although Figure 2 The explosion view is not meant to indicate that the two pieces of a single container need to be formed separately and then coupled to one another.

[0079] In Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the top outer shell 101 and the bottom outer shell 102 have curved shapes such that when they are joined together, there is an internal volume surrounded by the container. In some embodiments, the material and shape of the shells can be sufficiently rigid to maintain this volume even when the container is empty. In other embodiments, the material and shape can be more flexible such that when the container is empty, the top and bottom shells collapse into each other, as in a thin plastic bag. Embodiments of the invention can also be formed from the inside out according to the applicant's U.S. Patent Serial No. 10,407,217 or a continuation thereof, filed September 10, 2019, namely U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 566,799, filed September 10, 2019, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference and can be used to construct or otherwise form any or all of the embodiments detailed herein.

[0080] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 The side view of the illustrated embodiment, again shown in exploded view, shows whether the top housing 101 and bottom housing 102 are formed separately and attached in a single molding step to form substantially simultaneously. This side view more clearly shows that the top pressing element 231 and the bottom pressing element 232 are formed and oriented to fit together to provide a seal for the container. In this embodiment, the bottom pressing element 232 has an upwardly extending protrusion with a triangular apex, and this protrusion fits into a corresponding recess in the top pressing element 231. Other embodiments may employ different shapes for the top and bottom pressing elements.

[0081] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 Annotated view. In this embodiment, the central horizontal plane 401, running along the front-rear axis, is the plane connecting the top housing 101 and the bottom housing 102. In this embodiment, the edges of the top housing 101 lie on plane 401, and so do the edges of the bottom housing 102. In other embodiments, different shapes may be used so that the edges do not all lie on a common plane. In this embodiment, a portion of the top pressing element 231 extends below plane 401, and a portion of the bottom pressing element 232 extends above plane 401. In other embodiments, one or more pressing elements may lie entirely on one side of the central horizontal plane. Figure 4The diagram also shows a top housing 101 with an enclosing volume height 402 above a horizontal plane 401, and a bottom housing 102 with an enclosing volume height 403 below the horizontal plane 401. In this embodiment, the top and bottom housings are approximately mirror images of each other on a central horizontal plane. Other embodiments may take other shapes, including shapes that are not mirror images or shapes without flat edges on a common horizontal plane. Different embodiments can provide a variety of sizes and shapes for the volume enclosed when the container is closed.

[0082] Figure 5 A close-up of the side view is shown, namely... Figure 4 Cross-sectional views of the top pressing element 231 and the bottom pressing element 232 in the illustrated embodiment. When closed and sealed, the pressing elements meet at a common boundary 501. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom pressing element has a central vertical protrusion with a groove on either side. The top pressing element has a corresponding notch to receive the protrusion and a downwardly extending protrusion to engage with the groove of the bottom pressing element. The material thickness of the pressing elements is an important factor affecting the seal strength. Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiments, the thickness varies across the press-fit elements. For example, near the rear edge of the press-fit element, the bottom press-fit element has a thickness 504, while the top press-fit element has a thickness 502. At the center of the bottom protrusion, the bottom press-fit element has a thickness 505, and the top press-fit element has a thickness 503. In one or more embodiments, the average material thickness of the top and bottom press-fit elements is at least 0.25 cm, in other embodiments any value not exceeding 0.5 cm, in other embodiments any value between 0.5 cm and 0.75 cm, and in other embodiments, the thickness across their common boundary 501 is 1.0 cm. Material thicknesses at or above these ranges contribute to the formation of a leak-proof seal when the housing is closed and sealed. For example, in embodiments where the average thickness of the press-fit elements is approximately 0.8 cm, experiments have shown that even when the container is inverted (face down) and water pressure is applied to the seal, the seal is sufficient to hold 1 to 2 cups of water without leakage.

[0083] In some embodiments, the shape and size of the pressing element can also significantly affect the leak-proof performance of the seal. Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 Details of the bottom pressing element 232 in the illustrated embodiment. In this embodiment, a vertical protrusion 601 extends upward from the bottom pressing element, while cavities 606 and 607 are located on either side of this vertical protrusion. Other embodiments may have protrusions and cavities of different numbers and shapes, configured as convex and concave elements that mate together when the container seal is closed. In some embodiments, the primary vertical protrusion, such as protrusion 601, may be located on the top pressing element, rather than on... Figure 6on the bottom compression element. As shown, the vertical protrusions are symmetrical, however, any asymmetrical shape can be used as long as the shape of the seal is appropriate for the leak resistance required for a given implementation. Furthermore, by using an elastomer to construct the leak resistant seal, the geometry shown is able to engage the ridges, which stretch and then extend into the corresponding notches, which are an order of magnitude wider than the typical plastic ridges in known plastic bags. These ridges are not able to act on the stiffer plastic in the range of Shore D that is used in such bags.

[0084] In Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the vertical protrusions 601 have two horizontal ridges 602 and 603 extending horizontally outward from the vertical protrusions. These ridges have triangular sloped upper surfaces to facilitate insertion into the corresponding cavities of the upper compression element. They also have flat horizontal lower surfaces that provide an opening resistance once the protrusions are inserted into the upper cavities. Other embodiments can have vertical protrusions with only one horizontal ridge, or more than two horizontal ridges. In some embodiments, the vertical protrusions can have no horizontal ridges, and other features of the shape or material of the compression element can provide sufficient sealing force.

[0085] In Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the vertical protrusions 601 extend above the central horizontal plane 401, and the cavities 606 and 607 extend below the central horizontal plane 401. This arrangement of the components of the compression element has the effect of centering the seal element relative to the top and bottom housings. Such a design can have significant benefits for embodiments with relatively thick material in the compression element, as otherwise the seal can be much higher or lower than the outer surface of the top or bottom housing. In comparison, a very thin plastic bag can have a seal element that includes protrusions that extend entirely above one side of the bag, without a corresponding cavity below that side of the bag. Such a design is acceptable for very thin seal elements, but such a seal can not be as leak resistant as a seal with a thicker material.

[0086] Figure 6The vertical protrusion 601 has a vertical height 604 above the cavities 606 and 607, and the horizontal ridge 602 has a width 605 (measured from back to front). In one or more embodiments of the invention, the one or more vertical protrusions have a height 604 of at least 0.2 cm, for example, 80% or any other percentage of the total thickness of the upper and lower pressing elements, in other embodiments any value between 0.4 cm and 0.6 cm, and in other embodiments 0.8 cm. In other embodiments, the one or more horizontal ridges extending from the vertical protrusions have a width 605 of at least 0.1 cm or any other width, including any value greater than 0.1 cm, such as 0.2 cm or wider. Dimensions such as these exemplary values ​​can contribute to higher sealing force, thereby preventing the container from leaking. Some embodiments may have multiple vertical protrusions or multiple horizontal ridges, providing sufficient total sealing force even if a single vertical protrusion and horizontal ridge is below these exemplary dimensions. In one or more embodiments, the width of the seal can be varied to provide higher or lower leak-proof capability.

[0087] Figure 7 A top view of an embodiment of the invention is shown, illustrating the top housing 101. In this embodiment, the length 701 of the front edge 110 is greater than the length 702 of the rear edge 111. Therefore, the edges of the top housing 101 are generally trapezoidal rather than rectangular. Such an embodiment offers the potential advantage of making it easier to insert or remove items from the container opening due to the larger opening along the front edge 110. This design can be particularly beneficial when the sealing element is larger and thicker, as larger and thicker sealing elements can tend to be compressed together at the left and right edges.

[0088] Figure 8 A close-up side view of the top and bottom pressing elements according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the bottom pressing element 232 has a vertical protrusion 601 and cavities 606 and 607 on either side of the vertical protrusion. This basic structure is similar to Figure 6 The structure of the illustrated embodiment. However, in Figure 8 In one embodiment, the rearward vertical cavity 607 has a depth 801 below the central horizontal plane 401, which is greater than the depth 802 of the forward vertical cavity 606. This asymmetry offers the potential advantage of reducing the force required to open the seal from the front, while maintaining a deeper rearward cavity to resist pressure from inside the container compressing the seal. Therefore, it contributes to the leak-proofness of the seal while mitigating the impact of this leak-proofness on the force required for the user to open the container. Other embodiments may provide other asymmetric shapes of cavities and protrusions with different arrangements and sizes to achieve the same goal: a strong seal with reduced opening force.

[0089] One or more embodiments of the present invention provide partial leak resistance by utilizing a tortuous path of the boundary between the top compression element and the bottom compression element. When the seal is closed, liquid flowing through the gap of the seal must traverse the entire tortuous path. Figure 8 A gap is shown having a horizontal width G1 at gap 819 between a first contact boundary having a horizontal width B1 and a second contact boundary having a horizontal width B2, the first contact boundary beginning at contact point 820 until contact point 821 (where the gap begins) when traversing the seal from left to right, the second contact boundary beginning at contact point 822 until contact point 823 (where the gap ends) when traversing the seal from left to right. Thus, the longer and more tortuous path increases the leak resistance of the seal. Various embodiments can employ various shapes for such tortuous paths.

[0090] Embodiments of the present invention provide opposing surfaces of the top compression element and the bottom compression element to resist forces in multiple directions. These opposing surfaces in multiple directions help to increase the strength of the seal and the leak resistance of the seal. In one or more embodiments, the reaction forces between the top and bottom compression elements exist in multiple directions, or for example, each of the four directions of up, down, forward, and backward (when viewed from a side view). In some embodiments, the directions of the reaction forces exist in all four quadrants of a plane perpendicular to the front edge, but can not be precisely along the vertical and horizontal axes. Such embodiments effectively provide reaction forces in all four directions because the vector sum of the actual forces includes positive and negative components in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0091] In one or more embodiments, the multiple segments of the common boundary provide resistance to forces in each direction. As the multiple segments provide resistance in various directions, the strength of the seal can be further increased.

[0092] The directions of the reaction forces between the top compression element and the bottom compression element are represented by the normal vectors of the common compression boundary between the top and bottom compression elements. Figure 9 A boundary 901 of an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the boundary is a continuous line. Figure 8 A boundary 901 of an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the boundary is a continuous line. Figure 9 In this embodiment, several horizontal normal vectors of the boundary are shown. Normal vectors 902, 903, 904, and 905 are horizontally forward. Normal vectors 906, 907, and 908 are horizontally backward. In this embodiment, there are at least 4 normal vectors in the horizontally forward direction, each on a different segment of the boundary, and at least 3 normal vectors in the horizontally backward direction, each on a different segment of the boundary.

[0093] Figure 10 A boundary 901 of an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the boundary is a continuous line. Figure 9The vertical normal vectors of the illustrated embodiment. In this embodiment, normal vectors 1001, 1002, and 1003 point vertically upwards, while normal vectors 1004, 1005, 1006, and 1007 point vertically downwards. Therefore, in this embodiment, there are at least three normal vectors in the vertically upward direction, each on a different segment of the boundary, and at least four normal vectors in the vertically downward direction, each on a different segment of the boundary.

[0094] Figure 9 and 10 An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated, wherein at least three distinct segments of the boundary have normal vectors in each of the forward, backward, upward, and downward directions. The illustrated embodiment has a tortuous boundary that changes direction multiple times to provide force in each direction. Other embodiments of the invention provide only a single segment for the normal vector in each of the four directions, which, likewise, does not need to be aligned with the axis, but exists in the four quadrants of a plane perpendicular to the front edge, whether or not precisely aligned along the vertical and horizontal axes, or more than three segments may be provided for the normal vector in each of the four directions. In some embodiments, more segments may provide normal vectors for forces in the horizontal direction to increase the seal's resistance to horizontal pressure. Different embodiments of the invention may employ boundary path shapes optimized for the forces desired in the container application of this embodiment. In various embodiments, the segments of the boundary may be flat, pointed, curved, segmented, or any combination suitable for the application.

[0095] Figure 11 An exemplary embodiment of a tortuous path of the seal is shown, wherein the leftmost horizontal length portion of the seal contacts a corresponding portion on the other half of the seal. In this case, the length is 1.0. (The lengths shown are relative to each other only; they are not expressed in any specific unit.) In the illustrated embodiment, the total length 1103 of the tortuous boundary path is 17.5. The horizontal distance 1101 between the start and end points of the path is 7.0. Therefore, the path length is approximately 2.5 times the horizontal distance. Embodiments of the invention employing a pressure shield increase the length to the width of the boundary and typically increase the denominator, such as... Figure 16A As shown in -E, it will be described in detail below. Figure 16AIn some embodiments of the present invention, the width of the pressure shield at 1601h is approximately 1.0, so the calculation above is 17.5 / (7.0+1.0)=2.2. This ratio of path length to horizontal distance is a quantification of the degree of tortuosity and change in direction of the boundary path, which contributes to the sealing force and leak resistance. Some embodiments of the present invention have a boundary path length that is at least twice the horizontal distance between the beginning and end of the path, for example, if the horizontal portion of the contact area is large, or if the ridge on the seal is short, etc. Other embodiments, for example, can have a path length that is at least 3 times, or at least 4 times, or at least 5 times the horizontal distance between the beginning of the path and the end of the path. Other metrics for measuring the seal can include measuring the boundary path of the seal, starting at the point of the seal bifurcation from the base of the seal or the flat portion of the seal, along the contact path between each side of the seal, back to a point on the flat portion of the seal near the original beginning. This metric of tortuous path can result in a ratio of at least 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or greater than 10. As shown in the figure, if only one protrusion is used as the convex portion of the leak resistant seal, for example, if the seal is implemented with only the upper portion of the "Christmas tree" shape as the convex component, then the ratio calculation is A=(0.3+0.5+0.3+1.4) 2 (because the sides are symmetric) = 5.0, divided by the width of the base = 1.1, resulting in a ratio of 4.5. If this metric is calculated using two layers of ridges, i.e., with a seal as shown in the figure, but with any type of seal side portion, or no side portion at all, then the ratio calculation is as above, but with the lower portion added, i.e., B=(0.5+0.7+0.2+1.0) 2 (because approximately symmetric) = 4.8. Thus, A+B, the total length of the complete "Christmas tree" embodiment of the seal, is equal to 9.8. As shown in the figure, the width of the lower portion of the seal, which is the basis for the calculation, is 1.2, which results in a ratio of approximately 8. For a given base, the longer the path, the higher the ratio, and generally the stronger the leak resistance of the seal. For embodiments of the present invention that employ a pressure shield, these calculations do not change, because they do not include the metric of one side of the seal engagement portion. If a material such as a plastic is used that measures a hardness on the Shore D scale, such a geometry is not possible to engage and disengage at all, where an elastomer measuring a hardness in the middle range of the Shore A scale is able to stretch upon engagement and deploy the ridge into the corresponding cavity of the opposing portion of the seal. In particular, embodiments can be constructed using an elastomer having a hardness between 70 and 80 on the Shore A durometer scale. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes forming the elastomer container and seal to have a hardness between 40 and 90 on the Shore A durometer scale.

[0096] Some embodiments of the present invention utilize a variety of techniques to enhance the leak resistance of the seal. For example, Figure 8The illustrated embodiments provide a tortuous boundary path with a length more than twice the horizontal distance, and three or more normal vectors in each of the four directions: upward, downward, backward, and forward. In some embodiments, such techniques can be combined with press-fit elements with high average material thickness or other dimensional or material variations to further improve leak-proofness.

[0097] In one or more embodiments of the invention, the pressing element of the seal may extend to a portion of the left or right edge of the top and bottom housings, or both. Figure 12 An embodiment is shown in which the pressing element is located at the front edge, as well as at the front of the left and right edges. Figure 12 An exploded view of the top housing 101 and the bottom housing 102 is shown. In this embodiment, the top pressing element 231 has a portion 1201 near the left side 112 and a portion 1202 near the right side 113. Similarly, the bottom pressing element 232 has a portion 1203 near the left side 212 and a portion 1204 near the right side 213. In the illustrated embodiment, the pressing element bends around the corner between the front edge and the left and right edges. In other embodiments, the pressing element may form a right angle at the corner or may form any curved or polygonal shape to extend from the front edge to the left and right edges. Embodiments may employ a curved shape for the corner, which may be circular, oval, elliptical, or any other shape. Embodiments may employ a polygonal shape for the corner, which may be rectangular, or they may use multiple segments with any angle between the segments. In some embodiments, the pressing element may extend only to one of the left or right edges. A potential advantage of embodiments where the pressing element extends to both the left and right edges is that the opening of the container can be wider, simplifying the addition or removal of objects.

[0098] In one or more embodiments of the invention, the container may include a top sheet or a bottom sheet near the opening, or both. These sheets may be used, for example, to grip the edge of the container when it is opened or closed. Figure 12 An embodiment of the invention is shown, having a top sheet portion 1210 and a bottom sheet portion 1211. In some embodiments, the shape and size of the top sheet portion and the bottom sheet portion (if both are present) may be different. This is in Figure 12 As shown, the top sheet portion 1210 forms an arc extending from approximately the middle third of the top front edge, while the bottom sheet portion 1211 extends along the entire bottom front edge.

[0099] Figure 13 It shows Figure 12 A close-up view of the front of the illustrated embodiment, showing it in a closed position. (As shown...) Figure 13As shown, in this embodiment, the bottom tab 1211 extends further forward than the top tab 1210. Embodiments that employ different sized tabs can facilitate opening by making it easier for a user to grab one of the tabs to start opening. Different embodiments can use different sizes and shapes of tabs, including symmetric designs with similar shapes for the top and bottom tabs, as well as asymmetric designs as shown. Figure 13

[0100] Figure 14 Embodiments of the invention are shown with a vertical gap between the top and bottom tabs to facilitate grasping the tabs for opening. In this embodiment, the top tab 1210 has a curved profile that is vertically offset from the bottom tab 1211 by a distance 1401. This shape can make it easier for a user to insert his or her fingers into the space between the tabs. In this embodiment, the bottom tab 1211 has a series of ridges parallel to the front edge of the container to help grasp the tab. In the embodiment shown, the ridges are spaced apart by a distance 1402. Figure 14 In the embodiment shown, the crimping elements are located at the front edge, as well as at the front of the left and right edges. The top crimping element 231 has a portion 1201 near the left side 112 and a portion 1202 near the right side 113. Likewise, the bottom crimping element extends to the left and right edges. In this embodiment, the crimping elements curve around the corners between the front edge and the left and right edges.

[0101] One or more embodiments of the invention include pressure shield elements at the front of a container with a seal, or otherwise added to the interior of a container with a seal. These elements greatly improve the ability of the seal to remain closed without leaking when subjected to internal pressure, which can be caused by external forces applied to the outside of the container, such as when the container is squeezed or dropped. For example, if an elastomeric container is filled with liquid and then dropped or moved quickly, the motion of the liquid can create significant internal outward pressure on the walls of the container and the seal, depending on the direction of the force. Enough outward pressure causes the seal to come apart, causing a leak, however using a pressure shield, embodiments of the leak-proof seal do not come apart when subjected to much higher pressures than embodiments that do not use a pressure shield. The inventors have discovered the surprising result that by adding a small amount of material, for example, about 5% in a medium-sized container, in the form of a pressure shield in certain proportions to the container, the leak-proofness is increased by at least 300%, and in some embodiments at least 400%, particularly without adding material to the joint of the seal itself.

[0102] ​Figures 15A, 15B, and 15C illustrate two prior art seals and an improved seal by adding a pressure-resistant element, respectively. Specifically, Figures 15A and 15B represent seals known in the prior art, as described in the related art description section. Figure 15C An illustrative embodiment of the enhanced seal of the present invention is shown, in which additional pressure-resistant elements 1501 and 1502 are located between the pressure-sealing element 1520 and the liquid (or other) contents of the container 1500. These elements 1501 and 1502 are not present in the seal 1520 of the applicant's prior '153 patent in Figure 15B, nor are they present in other prior art seals, such as the seal of Figure 15A. The pressure applied to the substantially flat portion of this area (shown below the junction of the two elements) is distributed over a larger area, rather than converging towards the pressure-sealing element in the seal 1520 of the applicant's prior '153 patent as previously described. Figure 15C The embodiments of the seals in the container are at least 300% more leak-proof against liquids from inside the container than the seals of Figure 15B taught in '153 patent, or 400% more in some embodiments. This is surprising, considering the small amount of additional material used, which is negligible relative to the total amount of material used in the container.

[0103] Figure 16A It shows about Figure 15C Details of an illustrative embodiment of the seal with pressure-resistant elements are provided. The accompanying drawing shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the front edge of the container, with the closed volume of the container on the left and the seal on the right along the front edge. For example, all elements shown can be elastomers. The seal includes a top pressing element 231, a bottom pressing element 232, plus a top pressure shield element 1501 and a bottom pressure shield element 1502. The top pressure shield 1501 has a bottom surface 1601h that contacts the top surface 1602h of the bottom pressure shield 1502 when the seal is closed; in one or more embodiments, these surfaces 1601h and 1602h can be relatively flat and generally parallel to the central horizontal plane 401 of the housing.

[0104] Both pressure shield portions also have inner surfaces facing the internal volume of the housing. The top pressure shield 1501 has an inner surface 1601v, and the bottom pressure shield 1602 has an inner surface 1602v. In one or more embodiments, these inner surfaces may be substantially flat and substantially perpendicular to the central horizontal plane 401. Because they are substantially flat surfaces, pressure from the contents of the housing is distributed across the pressure shield portions, thereby reducing the tendency of such pressure to force the sealing elements 231 and 232 open. For example, pressure 1611 on the inner surface 1601v is resisted by a responsive force 1621 from the top pressure shield, and pressure 1612 on the inner surface 1602v is resisted by a responsive force 1622 from the bottom pressure shield. The inner surfaces 1601v and 1602v may be any shape other than substantially planar, as long as these portions are not concave as shown in FIG. 15B of the inventor's previous '153 design, and not convex as shown in FIG. 15A to exert pressure on the seal by allowing liquid to move around the sides of the engagement portion of the seal. Therefore, the inner surfaces 1601v and 1602v do not need to be flat and orthogonal to the central plane, but can intersect at a non-zero angle and be flat or curved surfaces.

[0105] Figure 16B It shows Figure 16A Variations of the embodiments, including the step 1502b, have slightly different geometries for the pressure shield. In this embodiment, the bottom pressure shield 1502 has a portion extending above the central horizontal plane 401, and the top pressure shield 1501b has a corresponding notch that mates with this portion. Figure 16A and 16B The shape of the pressure shield is illustrative; one or more embodiments may use pressure shields of different sizes and shapes than those shown.

[0106] Figure 16C It shows Figure 16A A variant of the embodiment has an improved geometry of the pressure-resistant element, including a ramp 1502c. The connection between 1501c and 1502c is also configured to prevent pressure from causing the opening elements 231 and 232 to peel off from each other.

[0107] Figure 16D It shows Figure 16A A variant of the embodiment has an improved geometry of the pressure-resistant element, including a curved surface inside the pressure shield. The connection between 1501d and 1502d is also configured to prevent pressure from causing the opening elements 231 and 232 to peel off from each other.

[0108] Figure 16E It shows Figure 16AVariations of the embodiment, with improved geometry of the pressure- resistant elements, include a toothed ramp. The junction of 1501e and 1502e is also configured to prevent pressure from peeling the opening elements 231 and 232 away from each other.

[0109] Figure 16F An embodiment is shown Figure 16A Variations of the embodiment, with improved geometry of the pressure- resistant elements, include a non-linear shape. The junction of 1501f and 1502f is also configured to prevent pressure from peeling the opening elements 231 and 232 away from each other, and to deflect pressure away from the junction of the pressure-resistant elements 1501f and 1502f.

[0110] In Figure 17 In the illustrated embodiment, the pressure shields are generally wedge-shaped strips that extend along the front edge of the elastomeric container. The cross-sectional area of these wedges is approximately that of a right triangle. As shown, the cross-sectional area of the top pressure shield 1501 is approximately that of a right triangle 1701, and the cross-sectional area of the bottom pressure shield 1502 is approximately that of a right triangle 1702. In the illustrated embodiment, triangle 1701 is taller than triangle 1702, but the same width. One or more embodiments can use pressure shields with non-triangular cross-sections as shown in -E, or pressure shields with triangular cross-sections of any desired relative dimensions (see Figure 16B -E, or pressure shields with triangular cross-sections of any desired relative dimensions (see Figure 15C With Figure 18 ).

[0111] Figure 18 Dimensions of an illustrative embodiment of the invention are shown. The interior surface of the top pressure shield 1501 has a length 1801, and the bottom surface has a width 1803. The interior surface of the bottom pressure shield 1501 has a length 1802, and the top surface has a width 1803. Since the top pressure shield 1501 and the bottom pressure shield 1502 are approximately triangular, their average thickness (along the horizontal axis 401) is approximately half of the length 1803, or approximately 1.75 mm, where the height of each pressure shield side is 10.7 mm + 4.4 mm, or approximately 15 mm. The walls of the housing (not including sealing elements such as crimp elements or pressure shields) have an average thickness 1804. In this embodiment, the average thickness of the two pressure shields is thus more than 2.5 times the average thickness 1804 of the walls of the housing. Overall, however, the pressure shields represent a relatively small amount of added material to the seal. The horizontal leg of the triangular cross-section with length 1803 is less than 0.5 cm, and the vertical leg of the triangular cross-section with lengths 1801 and 1802 are each less than 1.5 cm. In terms of the amount of added material, in the illustrated embodiment where the wall thickness 1804 is 0.6 mm, the amount of added material that makes up the pressure shield portion, i.e., 1601v and 1602v (as shown in Figure 17The amount of material is approximately ½ of each triangle width height, i.e. ½ 2.5mm 10.7mm, or 13.4mm2and ½ 2.5mm 4.4mm, or 5.5mm2. The two pressure shield portions add up to 18.9mm2, while in the leakproof seal itself there is a cross section of material of over 90mm2, as shown. For example, for a container embodiment with a height of 175mm, a depth of 50mm, and a wall thickness of 0.6mm, the amount of material in cross section is approximately 2 height + 2 depth, or length of 450mm, times the wall thickness, yields 270mm2, and when the cross section of the seal is added, 360mm2. Thus, the addition of the 18.9mm2of pressure shield portions adds approximately 5% of the material used in the container, and the leakproofness is increased by at least 300%. The upright version of a container with a thicker wall has a higher material usage overall, so the additional amount of material required for a container with a wall twice as thick is less than 2.5%.

[0112] Illustrative dimensions of the top and bottom crimp elements are also shown. As shown at 1806, the maximum thickness (in the vertical direction) of the bottom crimp element is 7.7mm, and as shown at 1808, the average thickness is at least 2.5mm. As shown at 1805, the minimum thickness of the top crimp element is 1.4mm, and as shown at 1807, the average thickness is at least 2.5mm.

[0113] FIGS. 19A and 19B show illustrative performance of embodiments of the present invention compared to the prior art. FIG. 19A shows two frames of a video with an enclosure filled with liquid and dropped from a height Hl of approximately 4 inches, as shown at 1901 in the leftmost frame, with a seal 1520 (as in FIG. 15B). As shown in the right frame, seal failure 1902 occurs upon impact, and liquid spills out of the enclosure. Figure 19B Five frames of a video are shown with an enclosure filled with liquid and dropped from a height H2 of approximately 16 inches, as shown at 1903, which is 4 times higher than in FIG. 19A, with a seal 1520 and top and bottom pressure shields 1501 and 1502 (as in Figure 15C FIG. 19B. Upon impact 1904, the seal and pressure shields keep the enclosure closed, with no liquid spilling out.

[0114] Figure 20Embodiments of the container are shown that include a support 2002 with a hole 2001, for example, the hole 2001 can be an outer hole, also known as a connection hole, from which the shaped elastomeric container is coupled to an external object. For example, embodiments of the invention can be coupled to external objects via the hole 2001 by using a clasp, a clip, a cord, an elastic band, a ring or other device.

[0115] Definitions

[0116] Elastomer - a material that can be repeatedly stretched at room temperature to at least twice its original length and will return to its approximate original length by force after immediate release of stress.

[0117] Boundary - the length of the surface of the first or second sealing portion between the initial point of contact and the final point of contact between the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion when the leakproof seal is closed. In a sealing profile without a gap, the boundary is the same length whether measured along the surface of element 1601 or 1602. In a sealing profile with a gap, the boundary used to calculate the path is the length of the surface of the first or second sealing portion where in a sealing with a gap there is no contact between some portions of the seal, the concave portion will typically have a larger boundary. In this case, either the larger number or the smaller number can be used to show the length of the path. See also Figure 16A -B.

[0118] Leakproof seal - a seal that prevents the leakage of liquids and solids from a container without the aid of an external structure to maintain the seal during storage and transport.

[0119] Coupling - in the case of a single container, the container can be manufactured in an integrated mold, where all the parts of the container are shaped and thus coupled to each other during the shaping process, where the coupling material is the container material itself, i.e. elastomer or plastic or thermoplastic elastomer. A single container can also be made from parts, which are shaped before the parts are coupled together to form a single container. In either case, a single container has multiple parts, which are all coupled together, or they can be split apart.

[0120] Corresponding notches - in the case of a seal without a gap, the shape of the protrusion and the notch can be the same shape, or if the seal has a gap (for example when closed), they can be different shapes. In addition, the protrusion and the notch can be different shapes so that when closed there is at least one contact boundary along the length of the seal. In either case, the corresponding notches of the ridge can be the same shape or different shapes. These elements allow the press-fit elements to lock into each other, i.e. by fitting the ridge with these corresponding notches with a vertical offset.

[0121] While the ideas disclosed herein have been described with respect to specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present application as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. An elastomeric container comprising: a top shell and a bottom shell, each comprising an elastomer, wherein the top shell and the bottom shell are configured to provide an internal volume of the elastomeric container; and a leak-proof seal configured to open and close the elastomeric container, the leak-proof seal comprising: a bottom compression element and a top compression element; a bottom pressure shield defining a bottom shield thickness, and disposed between the bottom compression element and the internal volume, the bottom pressure shield comprising a bottom pressure shield top face and a bottom pressure shield inner face facing the internal volume; and a top pressure shield defining a top shield thickness, and disposed between the top compression element and the internal volume, the top pressure shield comprising a top pressure shield bottom face and a top pressure shield inner face facing the internal volume, wherein an upper surface of the bottom compression element corresponds to a lower surface of the top compression element, wherein the top compression element and the bottom compression element fit together to seal the elastomeric container, wherein the top shell and the bottom shell define a central horizontal plane along which they are connected, and wherein, in cross-section, the top shield thickness continuously increases along the entire top pressure shield inner face, and, in cross-section, the bottom shield thickness continuously decreases along the entire bottom pressure shield inner face below the central horizontal plane.

2. The elastomeric container of claim 1, wherein, The bottom pressure shield inner face and the top pressure shield inner face are co-linear with each other when the bottom compression element and the top compression element fit together.

3. The elastomeric container of claim 1, wherein, The elastomer is silicone.

4. The elastomeric container of claim 1, wherein, The elastomer comprises a hardness between 40 and 90 on a Shore A durometer scale.

5. The elastomeric container of claim 1, wherein, The average thickness of the bottom pressure shield and the average thickness of the top pressure shield are each at least 0.15 cm.

6. The elastomeric container of claim 1, wherein, The top shell is on or above the central horizontal plane, and wherein the bottom shell is on or below the central horizontal plane.

7. The elastomeric container of claim 6, wherein, The bottom pressure shield comprises a pressure resistant element extending at least partially across the central horizontal plane.

8. The elastomeric container of claim 7, wherein, The pressure resistant element comprises a rectangular surface.

9. The elastomeric container of claim 1, wherein, The seal comprises a gap between a first contact point of the seal and a second contact point of the seal when the seal is closed.

10. The elastomeric container of claim 1, wherein, The top pressure shield inner face and the bottom pressure shield inner face are perpendicular with respect to the central horizontal plane when the seal is closed.

11. The elastomeric container of claim 1, wherein, The top pressure shield bottom face is parallel to the central horizontal plane.

12. The elastomeric container of claim 1, wherein, Each of the top shell and the bottom shell comprises an edge, wherein the elastomeric container comprises a top flap extending forward from the top compression element and along the edge, and a bottom flap extending forward from the bottom compression element and along the edge.

13. The elastomeric container of claim 12, wherein, The top flap and the bottom flap are vertically offset by a distance, wherein the distance is at least a height of a ridge of the bottom tab.

14. The elastomeric container of claim 1, wherein, wherein the bottom shroud thickness is constant above the center horizontal plane.

15. The elastomeric container of claim 1, wherein, the top pressure shield has a top length extending along the top pressure shield inner surface, the bottom pressure shield has a bottom length extending along the bottom pressure shield inner surface, and wherein the top length is greater than the bottom length.

16. An elastomeric container comprising: a top shell and a bottom shell, each comprising an elastomer, wherein the top shell and the bottom shell are configured to provide an internal volume of the elastomeric container; and a seal comprising an elastomer and configured to open and close the elastomeric container, the seal comprising: a bottom crimp element and a top crimp element; a bottom pressure shield defining a bottom shroud thickness and disposed between the bottom crimp element and the internal volume, the bottom pressure shield comprising a bottom shroud top surface and a bottom shroud inner surface facing the internal volume; and a top pressure shield defining a top shroud thickness and disposed between the top crimp element and the internal volume, the top pressure shield comprising a top shroud bottom surface and a top shroud inner surface facing the internal volume, wherein the top shell and the bottom shell define a center horizontal plane along which the top shell and the bottom shell are connected, wherein the bottom pressure shield comprises a pressure resistant element extending at least partially along an internal profile of the internal volume of the elastomeric container across the center horizontal plane, and the top pressure shield does not extend across the center horizontal plane, and wherein, in cross-section, the thickness of the top pressure shield continuously increases along the entire top shroud inner surface, and, in cross-section, the thickness of the bottom pressure shield continuously decreases along the entire bottom shroud inner surface below the center horizontal plane.

17. The elastomeric container of claim 16, wherein, the top pressure shield and the bottom pressure shield are in contact with each other but not locked to each other.

18. The elastomeric container of claim 16, wherein, the bottom shroud inner surface and the top shroud inner surface are co-linear with each other when the bottom crimp element and the top crimp element are mated together.

19. An elastomeric container comprising: a top shell and a bottom shell, each comprising an elastomer, wherein the top shell and the bottom shell are configured to provide an internal volume of the elastomeric container; and a seal comprising an elastomer and configured to open and close the elastomeric container, the seal comprising: a bottom crimp element and a top crimp element; a bottom pressure shield defining a bottom shield thickness, and disposed between the bottom crimp element and the interior volume, the bottom pressure shield comprising a bottom pressure shield top surface and a bottom pressure shield inner surface in direct contact with the interior volume, the bottom pressure shield defined by an upper thickness and a lower thickness; and a top pressure shield defining a top shield thickness, and disposed between the top crimp element and the interior volume, the top pressure shield comprising a top pressure shield bottom surface and a top pressure shield inner surface in direct contact with the interior volume, wherein the top housing and the bottom housing define a central horizontal plane where the top housing and the bottom housing meet, wherein, in cross-section, the top shield thickness continuously increases along the entire top pressure shield inner surface, and, in cross-section, the bottom shield thickness continuously decreases along the entire bottom pressure shield inner surface below the central horizontal plane, wherein the bottom pressure shield comprises a pressure resistant element extending at least partially along an internal profile of the interior volume of the elastomeric container across the central horizontal plane, and the top pressure shield does not extend across the central horizontal plane, wherein the upper thickness of the bottom pressure shield is constant above the central horizontal plane, and wherein, when the seal is closed, the bottom pressure shield top surface at least partially contacts the top pressure shield bottom surface.

20. The elastomeric container of claim 19, wherein, The average thickness of the bottom pressure shield and the average thickness of the top pressure shield are each at least 0.15 cm. The average thickness of the bottom pressure shield and the average thickness of the top pressure shield are each at least 0.15 cm.

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