Molded elastomeric container having integral leak-proof seal - Patents.com

Abstract

To provide a shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal that increases sealing force without requiring additional components.SOLUTION: A container is made of an elastomer such as silicone with an integrated leak resistant seal. The seal incorporates press-fit elements with sizes and shapes sufficient to provide a strong seal that resists leakage of liquids from inside the container. The seal is integrated into the container and requires no external clips or clasps. Additional features are provided to facilitate opening such as extended flaps for pulling the sides open, and asymmetric cavities for press-fit elements to reduce the initial opening force. The container itself may be of asymmetrical shape, such as trapezoidal, to provide a wide opening along with a strong seal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 639,065, filed March 4, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is also a divisional application of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-106896 (filed July 1, 2022), which is a divisional application of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-546909 (filed March 1, 2016). [Technical field]

[0002] One or more embodiments relate to the field of storage and transport bags and containers, and closures for these bags and containers. In particular, but not by way of limitation, one or more embodiments may provide a molded elastomeric bag with an integral leak-proof seal. The embodiments may be used for storing, transporting, and preparing food, including liquids, as well as other applications. The embodiments may be durable and reusable. The embodiments of the present invention incorporate a leak-proof seal and use a feature integral to the container to enhance the seal. [Background technology]

[0003] Sealed bags and containers are well known in the art. For example, Ziploc® plastic bags have a zipper-like sealing mechanism that is integral with the opening of the bag. More recent innovations have led to sealed bags being upgraded to more durable, reusable containers, often made from silicone. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,393,633 and U.S. Patent No. 5,493,633 teach silicone food storage bags with seals.

[0004] Existing sealed bag technology is limited in that the integral closure design provides a relatively weak sealing force. For example, a "Ziploc" bag may be closed but is not completely leak-proof. The "Ziploc" sealing area is relatively small and the seal geometry is a simple rail-like ridge and groove, resulting in this lack of leak-proofing. LeBoeuf discloses a closure having a rail-like ridge and groove, but specifically notes that the closure method may require the addition of an additional physical fastener. Thus, the integral closure of the container disclosed by LeBoeuf may not be leak-proof without an external fastener.

[0005] The difficulty of providing an integral leak-proof seal was taught by Koeppel in 1946 in US Pat. No. 5,399,363. Koeppel states, "Container closures of this type have been made in a variety of ways, but when the opening of the bag or container is made large enough to accommodate ice cubes or relatively large blocks of ice, it becomes difficult to effectively seal the opening. In an attempt to overcome this difficulty, the seal has been formed with a thickened section having complementary zigzag or convex and grooved surfaces around the edge of the container opening. However, such an arrangement does not effectively prevent leakage unless the surfaces are pressed together with a significant force." Koeppel then teaches a design that uses a physical clip attached to the outside of the bag to provide the necessary sealing force. In this sense, Koeppel arrives at a similar solution to LeBoeuf's, using an external fastener.

[0006] Although a seal can be provided using external clips or physical fasteners, this lack of convenience for the user and additional manufacturing costs and processing complexities are involved. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0105352 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0110335 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 2,500,363 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for an elastomeric container having an integral leak-proof seal that provides increased sealing strength without the need for such additional parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention provides for a molded elastomeric container with an integral leak-proof seal. Such containers may be used to store and transport liquids, solids, or both, including, for example, food products. The present invention may be in a variety of shapes and sizes, including, but not limited to, rectangular, square, circular, trapezoidal, cylindrical, oval, polygonal, cubic, or any shape convenient for the intended use of the container. The present invention uses elastomers as part of the material to provide physical properties such as flexibility, heat resistance, microbial resistance, and ease of manufacture. Other materials may be used for forming, strength, decoration, or any other purpose. In some embodiments, silicone may be employed as one of the elastomers of the container. Silicone may offer several potential advantages, including non-toxicity, low adhesion, ability to be heated in an oven, freezable in a freezer, and moldable into various shapes during manufacturing.

[0010] An embodiment of the invention may include two portions of an enclosure, referred to as a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure. The top enclosure and the bottom enclosure may be joined along some of their edges to form a container having an opening. The edge closest to the opening is referred to herein as the front edge, and the edge opposite the front edge is referred to as the rear edge. The edges extending between the rear edge and the front edge are referred to as the left edge and the right edge. The connections between the portions of the enclosure may also be made of elastomers or other materials. Any connection technique may be used to form the enclosure, such as molding, gluing, taping, sewing, stapling, welding, or any other technique. The enclosure may partially enclose an interior volume designed to store or transport the material within the container. In some embodiments, the container may be sufficiently rigid so that this interior volume exists even when the container is empty. In other embodiments, the container may be designed to collapse when empty, such that the interior volume is not visible unless there is an item within the container.

[0011] The embodiments may have one or more edges of the enclosure that may be fully or partially open to allow material in or out. The embodiments may include a seal adjacent or proximate to these open edges that is designed to confine the interior of the container and is used to open and close the container. In some embodiments, the seal includes two components, referred to as press fits, that are designed to seal when pressed together and closed. The press fits are referred to herein as a top press fit and a bottom press fit. They may be located anywhere on the container where it is necessary or convenient to include a seal. These press fits may have complementary contours that meet at a common interface when the components are pressed together. Various embodiments of the present invention employ a design for the press fits that contributes to the strength of the seal. In some embodiments, the seal is designed to prevent leakage. For example, some embodiments include a seal that can hold one to two cups of water in the container without leakage, even when the container is turned upside down with the seal facing down.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the leak-tightness of the seal is enhanced by using sufficient material thickness in the press-fit. The thicker the material in the press-fit, the stronger the sealing strength of the seal. In some embodiments, the average material thickness of both the top press-fit and the bottom press-fit 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 press-fits. In other embodiments, thicker material may be used to further enhance the seal. In some embodiments, material thickness is not relied upon as the primary factor for seal strength, and instead or in addition, the shape of the press-fit may be used to enhance leak-tightness.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the invention, the leading edge of the enclosure may be longer than the trailing edge. For example, the container may be generally trapezoidal, with the leading edge being longer than the trailing edge. Such an embodiment has the advantage of providing a larger opening area for inserting and removing material. This advantage is particularly valuable when using a thicker material for the press fit of the seal, as the opening may be narrower at the left and right edges.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the top press-fit and the bottom press-fit have one or more male and female components that engage to form part of the seal. Different embodiments may employ any convenient shape, size, and number of these male and female components. In some embodiments, the top press-fit or the bottom press-fit or both may have a vertical protrusion that extends upward or downward into a recess on the other press-fit. In some embodiments, the one or more vertical protrusions may have one or more horizontal ridges that protrude horizontally from the vertical protrusion. These ridges may be provided to lock into place within a corresponding recess on the opposing press-fit. In some embodiments, at least two horizontal ridges attached to a single vertical protrusion at different heights and vertically spaced apart are used to provide additional sealing force. Other embodiments may use only a single horizontal ridge or no horizontal ridges at all. The vertical protrusions and horizontal ridges, if present, may be of different shapes and sizes depending on the embodiment. For example, the horizontal ridge may be a triangle, circle, oval, square, rectangle, or any other shape extending horizontally from the vertical protrusion. In some embodiments, the vertical protrusion is at least 0.2 cm, which may be, for example, 80% or any other percent of the total thickness of the top and bottom press-fits, in other embodiments, any value between 0.4 cm and 0.6 cm, and in other embodiments, 0.8 cm high. In some embodiments, the horizontal ridge may be at least 0.1 cm wide, or any other width, including any value greater than 0.1 cm, such as 0.2 cm or greater.

[0015] To achieve a leak-proof seal, one or more embodiments of the invention may incorporate a press-fit of sufficient size and material thickness. Such a design may be a potential challenge in that the seal may extend a significant distance from the top and bottom enclosures. To mitigate this effect, one or more embodiments of the invention may offset the top and bottom press-fits to be more centered along the horizontal plane of the container. In particular, one or more embodiments may have a top press-fit or a bottom press-fit, or both, that have a recess and a protrusion that extend both above and below the central horizontal plane between the top and bottom enclosures. For example, the bottom press-fit may have a recess below the central horizontal plane and a vertical protrusion that extends above the central horizontal plane. Thus, one or more embodiments enable a container with a leak-proof seal that has a seal that is more aligned or centered with the side of the enclosure. Additionally, the thicker closure provides a touch sensitive area that holds the container while minimizing the chance of dropping it. Thus, based on the coefficient of static friction and the shape of the closure to securely hold the desired contents, in one or more embodiments where the closure is sufficiently thick, the closure is configured as a grip for holding the container.

[0016] In some embodiments of the invention, the top and bottom press fits may extend partially to the left or right edges of the top and bottom enclosures. In such embodiments, the mechanism for opening the container may incorporate a hinge area or similar design along the sides to allow the container to be opened further than if it could be opened only at the front edge. Such embodiments may provide significant convenience by allowing a user to more easily place items in and remove items from the container.

[0017] One or more embodiments of the present invention may include a flip-up or tab extending from the front edge or from the side of the top or bottom press-fit. Such a flip-up or tab may be used to hold the edge of the container in order to pull the container open from a sealed state. Such a flip-up may be of any convenient size or shape and located in any convenient location. In some embodiments, for example, the flip-up may be generally arc-shaped with its widest portion located at the center of the front edge. In other embodiments, the flip-up may consist of a simple tab extending from the center of the front edge or at another location. In some embodiments, there may be a bottom tab and a top tab, with the bottom tab being longer than the top tab. Other embodiments may have the reverse arrangement, with the top tab being longer than the bottom tab. In other embodiments, the flip-up or tab may be of equal size. A longer flip or tab may allow a user to open the closure more easily by providing a lever arm when the user pulls the closure open. This feature may be particularly valuable for very strong closures designed to prevent leakage, as the user must have a mechanism to overcome the sealing force when opening the container. In one or more embodiments, there may be a gap between the top and bottom flips, allowing the user to more easily grip one or both of the flips for opening.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the top or bottom press fit may incorporate a vertical protrusion surrounded by two recesses, one recess in front of the vertical protrusion and the other recess behind the vertical protrusion. In some embodiments, the depth of these two recesses may not be equal. For example, in one or more embodiments, the front recess may be shallower than the rear recess. For a press fit, such an asymmetric shape may have the potential advantage that the force required to begin opening the seal from the front edge may be less than the sealing force at the rear edge. This may allow for easier opening by the user while maintaining a strong seal. Once the user breaks the seal at the front recess, they may continue to open the rear portion of the seal using the additional lever arm provided by the open portion of the press fit.

[0019] Embodiments of the invention may incorporate various shapes and sizes for the press-fit. In some embodiments, the shape of the interface between the top press-fit and the bottom press-fit may contribute significantly to the sealing force. Embodiments may improve the seal by using a tortuous path for the interface that changes direction multiple times. Such a tortuous path offers two potential advantages. First, it may prevent the press-fit from migrating in multiple directions. Second, it may increase the distance that liquid must travel to escape the seal, improving leak-proofness. The direction that prevents migration is represented by the orientation of a normal vector to the interface. In some embodiments, the interface path may provide normal vectors that point in four different directions: up, down, forward, and backward. Some embodiments may provide more or fewer normal vectors. The normal vector is perpendicular to the surface at a particular point along the surface, whether the surface is flat or curved. In some embodiments, the normal vector to the interface generally points in these four directions, but may also point in any of the four quadrants of a vertical plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear axis of the container. With the normal vector pointing in all quadrants, the press fit provides a sealing force in all directions. In other embodiments, the tortuous path of the interface may change direction multiple times to provide multiple normal vectors in all directions on different segments in the interface path. For example, in one or more embodiments, there may be at least three different segments of the interface path to provide a normal vector in each of the four directions or in each of the four quadrants. Such a path further enhances the sealing force.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the tortuous path of the press-fit boundary will be much longer than the straight-line horizontal back-to-front distance across the press-fit. This increased path improves sealing by increasing the distance the liquid must travel to exit the seal. For example, in some embodiments, the length of the boundary path is at least twice the horizontal back-to-front distance between the start and end points of the boundary path. In other embodiments, even longer boundary paths having even greater distance ratios may be used.

[0021] The above and other aspects, features and advantages conveyed throughout the present disclosure will become further apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention with the closure in a closed position. [Diagram 2] The upper and bottom enclosures and the upper and bottom press-fit portions of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are shown in an exemplary exploded view as they would be formed from a single element or prior to attachment of the upper and bottom portions to one another. [Diagram 3] 3 shows a side view of the top and bottom enclosures and top and bottom press-fits of FIG. 2; FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a side view of the enclosure and press-fit portion of FIG. 3, taken about a central horizontal plane. [Diagram 5] 1 illustrates a side view of an enclosure and press-fit portion of one embodiment of the present invention, with their common boundary shown in bold for illustrative purposes; [Figure 6] 4 illustrates in greater detail the bottom press fit features of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the present invention, where the leading edge is longer than the trailing edge. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates a top and bottom press fit of one embodiment of the present invention, where the front vertical recess is shallower than the rear vertical recess. [Figure 9] The press-fit interface of one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8 is shown along the horizontal normal vector to the interface. [Figure 10] The press-fit interface of one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8 is shown along the normal vector perpendicular to the interface. [Figure 11] An indentation interface of one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8 is shown along with the path length of the interface. [Figure 12]An embodiment of the present invention is shown in an exploded view when formed from a single element, or, for example, before at least a portion of the top and bottom are attached, with the press-fit portions of the seal extending from the front edge to the left and right edges of the enclosure, and this embodiment also shows the top and bottom turn-up portions extending forward of the seal. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows an enlarged view of the front side of the embodiment of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] Another embodiment of the invention is shown in which the press fit portion of the seal extends from the front edge to a portion of the left and right edges of the enclosure, and further, the top and bottom turn-up portions are configured with a vertical gap between them to facilitate gripping the turn-up portions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, a molded elastomeric container having an integral leak-proof seal will be described. In the following exemplary description, numerous specific details are set forth for a more complete understanding of the invention described herein. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that embodiments of the invention described herein may be practiced without incorporating all aspects of the specific details set forth herein. In other cases, specific aspects well known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described so as not to obscure the disclosure. Although examples of innovative concepts are set forth throughout this disclosure, the specification should be read with the understanding that it is the claims, and the full scope of any equivalents thereof, that define the invention.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in a perspective view with the closure of the container closed. In some embodiments, the material of the container may include an elastomer, such as silicone or other rubber or polymer. In various embodiments, other materials may be included. The body of the container may be rigid in some embodiments and flexible in other embodiments. Embodiments including silicone have the advantage of being heat resistant, for example, such embodiments may be placed in an oven to heat the food in the container. Some embodiments may be configured to be reused, while other embodiments may be configured to be used only once.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a container having a top enclosure 101 and a bottom enclosure 102. The top enclosure 101 has a front edge 110, a back edge 111, a left edge 112, and a right edge 113. In the embodiment shown, the top and bottom enclosures are joined when formed from one piece, or for embodiments using multiple pieces to form the device, when joined via seams along the back edge, left edge, and right edge. The front edges are not permanently joined, but contact each other when closed and held closed by a seal extending forward from the front edge. The top and bottom enclosures may be formed or joined using a single molding of both enclosures or by various other methods of joining elastomeric components together. In some embodiments, it is preferred that the connection between the top and bottom enclosures is continuous without gaps, allowing the container to hold liquid without leaking. Additionally, thicker closures, such as closure 110, provide touch-sensitive areas that hold the container while minimizing the chance of dropping the container. Thus, in one or more embodiments, closure 110, when thick enough, based on the static friction coefficient of the material used to construct at least the closure on the container and based on the shape of the closure, the closure is configured as a handle for holding the container, for example, from above (the right side in FIGS. 1, 12, 14), to securely hold the desired contents.

[0026] FIG 2 is an exploded view of FIG 1, with the top enclosure 101 and bottom enclosure 102 shown separately. As shown in FIG 1, the top enclosure 101 has edges 110, 111, 112, and 113. An upper press fit 231 extends forward from the front edge 110 of the top enclosure 101. Also visible in FIG 2 are the edges of the bottom enclosure 102: front edge 210, rear edge 211, left edge 212, and right edge 213. In the embodiment shown, the edges 210, 211, 212, and 213 of the bottom enclosure contact the edges 110, 111, 112, and 113 of the top enclosure, respectively, when the container is closed. In other embodiments, the container may be closed, but the edges of the top and bottom enclosures may not be completely touching, allowing for a flip-up for opening, or other structure with holes or attachments as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The front edge of the bottom enclosure 102 is fitted with a bottom press fit 232. In the embodiment shown, the press fits extend forward from the front edge of each half of the enclosure. In other embodiments, these press fits may be oriented in different directions, for example, in some embodiments, the press fits may extend rearward from the front edges of the top and bottom enclosures. The specific location of the press fits may vary, so long as they engage with each other to seal the container. In some embodiments, the press fits may extend from the front edges to a portion of the left or right edges of the top and bottom enclosures.

[0027] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the top enclosure 101 and bottom enclosure 102 have a curved shape such that when connected together there is an interior volume enclosed by the container. In some embodiments, the enclosure material and shape may be rigid enough so that this volume exists even when the container is empty. In other embodiments, the material and shape may be more flexible and the top and bottom enclosures may be crushed together like a thin plastic bag when the container is empty.

[0028] 3 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the top enclosure 101 and bottom enclosure 102 shown separately. This side view more clearly shows that the top press-fit 231 and bottom press-fit 232 are molded and then oriented to fit together to provide a seal to the container. In this embodiment, the bottom press-fit 232 has a protrusion with a triangular top that extends upwardly and fits into a corresponding recess in the top press-fit 231. Other embodiments may employ different shapes for the top and bottom press-fits.

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a diagram with an explanation of FIG. 3. In this embodiment, a central horizontal plane 401 extending along the front-to-rear axis is the plane along which the top enclosure 101 and the bottom enclosure 102 are joined. In this embodiment, the edges of the top enclosure 101 lie on the plane 401, as do the edges of the bottom enclosure 102. In other embodiments, different shapes may be used and the edges do not all have to lie on a common plane. In this embodiment, a portion of the top press-fit 231 extends below the plane 401, and in this embodiment, a portion of the bottom press-fit 232 extends above the plane 401. In other embodiments, one or more press-fits may be entirely on one side of the central horizontal plane. 4 also shows that the top enclosure 101 has an enclosed volume height 402 above the horizontal plane 401, and the bottom enclosure 102 has an enclosed volume height 403 below the horizontal plane 401. In this embodiment, the top and bottom enclosures are generally mirror images of each other across a central horizontal plane. Other embodiments may employ other shapes, including shapes that are not mirror images or shapes that do not have flat edges in a common horizontal plane. Different embodiments may have various sizes and shapes for the volume enclosed by the container when the container is closed.

[0030] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged side view of the top press fit 231 and bottom press fit 232 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. When closed and sealed, the press fits meet at a common interface 501. In the embodiment shown, the bottom press fit has a central vertical protrusion with grooves on either side of the protrusion. The top press fit has a corresponding recess that receives the protrusion and has a protrusion that extends downward to fit into the groove of the bottom press fit. The thickness of the material of the press fit is an important factor that contributes to the strength of the seal. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the thickness varies from end to end of the press fit. For example, near the trailing edge of the press fit, the bottom press fit has thickness 504 and the top press fit has thickness 502. At the center of the bottom protrusion, the bottom press fit has thickness 505 and the top press fit has thickness 503. The average material thickness of the top and bottom press-fits across the common boundary 501 is, in one or more embodiments, 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. Material thicknesses in or beyond these ranges may contribute to the formation of a leak-proof seal when the enclosure is closed and sealed. For example, in one embodiment where the press-fits have an average thickness of about 0.8 cm, experiments have shown that the seal is sufficient to hold one to two cups of water without leaking, even when the container is held upside down (front side down) so that water pressure is applied to the seal.

[0031] In some embodiments, the shape and dimensions of the press fit may also contribute significantly to the leak tightness of the seal. FIG. 6 shows the bottom press fit 232 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in detail. In this embodiment, a vertical protrusion 601 extends upward from the bottom press fit, with indentations 606, 607 on either side of the vertical protrusion. Other embodiments may have different numbers and shapes of protrusions and indentations, configured as male and female portions that mate when the container seal is closed. The main vertical protrusion, such as protrusion 601, may be located on the top press fit in some embodiments, rather than on the bottom press fit as shown in FIG. 6. As shown, the vertical protrusions are symmetrical, but any asymmetric shape may be used as long as the seal is formed with the desired leak tightness for a given application.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the vertical protrusion 601 has two horizontal ridges 602, 603 extending horizontally outward from the vertical protrusion. These ridges have a triangular, sloping upper surface to facilitate easy insertion into the corresponding recess of the upper press-fit. They also have a flat horizontal lower surface to make the protrusion difficult to open once inserted into the upper recess. Other embodiments may have a vertical protrusion with only one horizontal ridge or with more than two horizontal ridges. In some embodiments, the vertical protrusion may have no horizontal ridges at all, and other features of the press-fit shape or material may provide sufficient sealing force.

[0033] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the vertical protrusion 601 extends above the central horizontal plane 401, and the recesses 606, 607 extend below the central horizontal plane 401. This arrangement of the press-fit components has the effect of centering the seal relative to the top and bottom enclosures. Such a design is of great advantage for embodiments in which the press-fit material is relatively thick, as the seal could otherwise potentially extend significantly above or below the outer surface of the top or bottom enclosure. In comparison, a very thin plastic bag may have a seal that includes a protrusion that extends all the way up one side of the bag, with no corresponding recess below that side of the bag. Such a design may be acceptable if the seal is very thin, but such a seal may not prevent leakage to the same extent as a seal made of a thicker material.

[0034] The vertical protrusion 601 in FIG. 6 has a vertical height 604 above the recesses 606, 607, and the horizontal ridge 602 has a width (measured from back to front) 605. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the one or more vertical protrusions have a height 604 of, for example, at least 0.2 cm, which may be, for example, 80% of the total thickness of the top and bottom press-fits, or any other percent, and 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 greater. Dimensions such as these exemplary values ​​contribute to improved sealing and make the container leak-proof. In some embodiments, the individual vertical and horizontal ridges may be smaller than these exemplary dimensions, with multiple vertical or horizontal ridges that together provide sufficient sealing force. In one or more embodiments, the width of the seals may vary, providing greater or lesser leak tightness.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a top view of one embodiment of the invention, showing the upper enclosure 101. In this embodiment, the length 701 of the leading edge 110 is greater than the length 702 of the trailing edge 111. Thus, the edges of the upper enclosure 101 form a generally trapezoidal shape rather than a rectangle. Such an embodiment may provide a potential advantage in that the opening along the leading edge 110 is larger, making it easier to place an item in the container opening and remove the item from the container. Such a design may be particularly beneficial when the seal is larger and thicker, as larger and thicker seals may tend to narrow the opening at the left and right edges.

[0036] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged side view of the top and bottom press-fits of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the bottom press-fit 232 has a vertical protrusion 601 and recesses 606, 607 on either side of the vertical protrusion. This basic structure is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the rear vertical recess 607 has a depth 801 below the central horizontal plane 401 that is deeper than the depth 802 of the front vertical recess 606. This asymmetry may provide a potential advantage of reducing the force required to initiate opening of the closure from the front side while maintaining a deeper recess on the rear side to withstand pressure from inside the container pushing against the closure. Thus, contributing to the leak-tightness of the closure while reducing the impact of this leak-tightness on the force required for a user to open the container. Other embodiments may include asymmetric shapes with recesses and protrusions of different arrangements and dimensions to achieve the same goal of a strong closure while reducing the opening force.

[0037] Embodiments of the invention provide opposing surfaces on the top and bottom press fits that withstand forces in multiple directions. These opposing surfaces in multiple directions contribute to the strength of the seal and to the leak tightness of the seal. In one or more embodiments, opposing forces exist between the top and bottom press fits in each of four directions: upward, downward, forward, and rearward (as viewed from a side view). In some embodiments, the opposing force directions exist in all four quadrants of a plane perpendicular to the leading edge, but need not be strictly along the vertical and horizontal axes. Such embodiments effectively provide opposing forces in all four directions, since the vector sum of the actual forces includes positive and negative components in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0038] In one or more embodiments, multiple sections of the common boundary provide resistance to forces in each direction. Because multiple sections provide resistance in various directions, the strength of the seal may be further enhanced.

[0039] The opposing force directions between the top and bottom press fits are shown as normal vectors to a common press fit interface between the top and bottom press fits. For the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9 shows this interface 901. Several horizontal normal vectors are shown for this interface in FIG. 9. Normal vectors 902, 903, 904, 905 point horizontally forward. Normal vectors 906, 907, 908 point horizontally backward. In this embodiment, there are at least four horizontal forward facing normal vectors, each on a different section of the interface, and at least three horizontal backward facing normal vectors, each on a different section of the interface.

[0040] For the embodiment shown in Figure 9, Figure 10 shows the vertical normal vectors. In this embodiment, normal vectors 1001, 1002, 1003 point vertically upwards, and normal vectors 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007 point vertically downwards. Thus, in this embodiment, there are at least three vertically upward normal vectors, each on a different section of the boundary, and at least four vertically downward normal vectors, each on a different section of the boundary.

[0041] 9 and 10 show an exemplary embodiment of the invention, where at least three different segments of the boundary have normal vectors that are forward, backward, upward, and downward, respectively. The embodiment shown has a curved boundary that changes direction multiple times to provide forces in each direction. Other embodiments of the invention may have only a single segment for the normal vector in each of the four orientations, or more than three segments in each of the four orientations. In some embodiments, the number of segments that provide normal vectors to horizontal forces may be greater to increase the resistance of the seal to horizontal pressure. Different embodiments of the invention may adopt a boundary path shape that best suits the forces expected when using the container for this embodiment. In various embodiments, the boundary segments may be flat, pointed, curved, segmented, or any combination thereof, as appropriate for the application.

[0042] One or more embodiments of the present invention prevent leakage in part by using a tortuous path for the interface between the top and bottom press-fits. When the seal is closed, any liquid flowing through the gap in the seal must traverse this tortuous path. Thus, the longer and more tortuous the path, the more leak-proof the seal will be. Different embodiments may employ different shapes for such tortuous paths. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 11 shows the interface path. In FIG. 11, the relative lengths of the different segments of the interface are shown, for example, the length 1102 of the leftmost horizontal segment is 1.0. (The lengths are merely shown relative to each other, not in any particular units). In the illustrated embodiment, the total length 1103 of the tortuous interface path is 17.5. The horizontal distance 1101 from the start of the path to the end is 7.0. Thus, the path length is about 2.5 times the horizontal distance. This ratio of path length to horizontal distance quantifies the degree to which the boundary path bends and changes direction, which contributes to sealing strength and leak tightness. Some embodiments of the invention, such as the embodiment shown in Figure 11, have a boundary path length that is at least twice the horizontal distance between the start and end points of the path.

[0043] Some embodiments of the invention utilize a number of techniques to increase the leak tightness of the seal. For example, the embodiment shown in Figure 8 includes a tortuous boundary path that has three or more normal vectors in each of the four directions: up, down, back, and forward, and is greater than twice the horizontal distance. In some embodiments, such techniques may be combined with a thicker average material thickness or other dimension or material changes for the press fit to further increase leak tightness.

[0044] In one or more embodiments of the invention, the press-fit of the seal may extend to a portion of the left edge, right edge, or both of the top and bottom enclosures. FIG. 12 shows an embodiment in which the press-fit is located along the front edge as well as along the front portions of the left and right edges. FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of the top enclosure 101 and the bottom enclosure 102. In this embodiment, the top press-fit 231 has a portion 1201 proximate the left side 112 and a portion 1202 proximate the right side 113. Similarly, the bottom press-fit 232 has a portion 1203 proximate the left side 212 and a portion 1204 proximate the right side 213. In the embodiment shown, the press-fit is curved at the corners between the front and left edges and between the front and right edges. In other embodiments, the press fit may form a right angle at the corner or any curved or polygonal shape extending from the front edge to the left and right edges. The embodiment may employ a curved shape for the corner, which may be circular, oval, elliptical, or any other shape. The embodiment may employ a polygonal shape for the corner, which may be rectangular, or may employ multiple sections with any angle between the sections. In some embodiments, the press fit may extend to only one of the left or right edges. A potential advantage that may be realized with embodiments in which the press fit extends to the left and right edges is that it may widen the opening of the container, making it easier to insert and remove items.

[0045] In one or more embodiments of the invention, a container may have a top turn-up, a bottom turn-up, or both, proximate the opening. These turn-ups may be used, for example, to grip the edges of the container when opening and closing the container. FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the invention having a top turn-up 1210 and a bottom turn-up 1211. In some embodiments, when both top and bottom turn-ups are present, they may be different in shape and size. This is shown in FIG. 12, where the top turn-up 1210 forms an arc extending from approximately the central third of the top front edge, while the bottom turn-up 1211 extends along the entire bottom front edge. FIG. 13 shows a close-up view of the front of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 in a closed position. As shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, bottom flip portion 1211 extends further forward than top flip portion 1210. Embodiments employing different sized flip portions may facilitate easier opening by allowing a user to grasp one of the flip portions and easily begin opening. Different embodiments may use flip portions of different sizes and shapes, including symmetrical designs in which the top and bottom flip portions are the same shape, as well as asymmetrical designs such as that shown in FIG.

[0046] FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of the invention having a vertical gap between the top and bottom flips, allowing the flips to be easily grasped for opening. In this embodiment, the top flip 1210 has a curved shape that is vertically offset from the bottom flip 1211 by a distance 1401. This shape may allow a user to more easily insert a finger into the space between the flips. In this embodiment, the bottom flip 1211 has a series of ridges that run parallel to the front edge of the container. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the press fit is located along the front edge and also along the front portions of the left and right edges. The top press fit 231 has a portion 1201 adjacent the left side 112 and a portion 1202 adjacent the right side 113. Similarly, the bottom press fit extends to the left and right edges. In this embodiment, the press fit is curved at the corners between the front edge and the left edge and between the front edge and the right edge.

[0047] Although the invention disclosed herein has been described with reference to specific embodiments and applications, numerous modifications and variations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below in detail.

[0048] EMBODIMENT 1 In an elastomer container, a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure generally comprised of an elastomer, the top enclosure and the bottom enclosure having a front edge, a rear edge opposite the front edge, a left edge, and a right edge opposite the left edge; a seal integrally formed with the front edge of the top enclosure and the bottom enclosure and configured to open and close the elastomeric container to provide access to an interior volume of the elastomeric container, The sealing portion is A bottom press-fit portion disposed in the bottom enclosure, a vertical protrusion and one or more vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from the vertical protrusion; a front vertical recess located forward of the vertical protrusion; a rear vertical recess located rearward of the vertical protrusion facing the front; an upper press fit portion disposed on the upper enclosure and including a recess configured to receive the one or more vertically offset ridges; Including a bottom press fit portion, Elastomer container.

[0049] EMBODIMENT 2 2. The elastomeric container of embodiment 1, wherein the top press-fit portion further comprises front and rear protrusions extending vertically toward the bottom press-fit portion and received in the front and rear vertical recesses, respectively.

[0050] EMBODIMENT 3 2. The elastomeric container of embodiment 1, wherein the bottom press fit further comprises a first vertical section at an innermost portion of the rear vertical recess opposite the front vertical recess.

[0051] EMBODIMENT 4 2. The elastomeric container of embodiment 1, wherein the top enclosure is bonded to the bottom enclosure along the rear edge, the left edge, and the right edge.

[0052] EMBODIMENT 5 2. The elastomeric container of embodiment 1, wherein the one or more vertically offset ridges are a plurality of vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from the vertical protrusion.

[0053] EMBODIMENT 6 2. The elastomeric container of embodiment 1, wherein the width of the leading edge measured from the left edge to the right edge is greater than the width of the trailing edge measured from the left edge to the right edge.

[0054] EMBODIMENT 7 2. The elastomeric container of embodiment 1, further comprising a top turn-up portion extending forwardly from the top press-fit portion and a bottom turn-up portion extending forwardly from the bottom press-fit portion.

[0055] EMBODIMENT 8 8. The elastomeric container of embodiment 7, wherein the bottom turn-up portion extends further forward than the top turn-up portion.

[0056] EMBODIMENT 9 2. The elastomeric container of embodiment 1, wherein the vertical depth of the rear vertical recess is different from the vertical depth of the front vertical recess.

[0057] EMBODIMENT 10 10. The elastomeric container of embodiment 9, wherein the closure is configured to provide a reduced opening force from the front side of the vertical protrusion relative to the force required to open the elastomeric container from the interior volume.

[0058] EMBODIMENT 11 2. The elastomeric container of embodiment 1, wherein the one or more vertically offset ridges include an upper surface that is inclined relative to a horizontal plane.

[0059] EMBODIMENT 12 12. The elastomeric container of claim 11, wherein the one or more vertically offset ridges include a lower surface that is parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0060] EMBODIMENT 13 In an elastomer container, a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure generally comprised of an elastomer, the top enclosure and the bottom enclosure having a front edge, a rear edge opposite the front edge, a left edge, and a right edge opposite the left edge, the top enclosure and the bottom enclosure meeting in a horizontal plane; a seal integrally formed with the front edge of the top enclosure and the bottom enclosure and configured to open and close the elastomeric container to provide access to an interior volume of the elastomeric container, The sealing portion is a vertical protrusion extending from a surface of the bottom enclosure, the vertical protrusion extending from below the horizontal plane to above the horizontal plane; one or more vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from the vertical protrusion; a front vertical recess located forward of the vertical protrusion and below the horizontal plane; a rear vertical recess located behind the vertical protrusion facing the front side and below the horizontal plane; a groove portion extending along a surface of the upper enclosure and including one or more recesses configured to receive a groove including the one or more vertically offset ridges; 13. An elastomeric container comprising:

[0061] EMBODIMENT 14 14. The elastomeric container of claim 13, wherein the sealing portion further comprises front and rear protrusions extending vertically from the surface of the top enclosure toward the surface of the bottom enclosure and received in the front and rear vertical recesses, respectively.

[0062] EMBODIMENT 15 14. The elastomeric container of embodiment 13, wherein the bottom press fit further comprises a first vertical section at an innermost portion of the rear vertical recess opposite the vertical protrusion.

[0063] EMBODIMENT 16 14. The elastomeric container of embodiment 13, wherein the top enclosure is bonded to the bottom enclosure along the rear edge, the left edge, and the right edge.

[0064] EMBODIMENT 17 14. The elastomeric container of embodiment 13, wherein the width of the leading edge measured from the left edge to the right edge is greater than the width of the trailing edge measured from the left edge to the right edge.

[0065] EMBODIMENT 18 Further comprising an upper turn-up portion extending forward from the upper press-fit portion and a bottom turn-up portion extending forward from the bottom press-fit portion, 14. The elastomeric container of claim 13, wherein the bottom turn-up portion extends further forward than the top turn-up portion.

[0066] EMBODIMENT 19 14. The elastomeric container of embodiment 13, wherein the one or more vertically offset ridges include an upper surface that is inclined relative to the horizontal plane.

[0067] EMBODIMENT 20 20. The elastomeric container of embodiment 19, wherein the one or more vertically offset ridges include a lower surface that is parallel to the horizontal plane. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 101 Upper enclosure 102 Bottom enclosure 110,210 Front end 111,211 Rear end 112, 212 Left edge 113, 213 Right edge 231 Upper press-fit part 232 Bottom press-fit part 601 Vertical protrusion 606, 607 Recess 1210 Upper turn-over part 1211 Bottom turn-over part

Claims

1. In an elastomer container, a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure generally comprised of an elastomer, the top enclosure and the bottom enclosure having a front edge, a rear edge opposite the front edge, a left edge, and a right edge opposite the left edge; a seal integrally formed with the front edge of the top enclosure and the bottom enclosure and configured to open and close the elastomeric container to provide access to an interior volume of the elastomeric container, The sealing portion is a bottom press-fit portion disposed in the bottom enclosure, a vertical protrusion and a plurality of vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from the vertical protrusion, the plurality of vertically offset ridges including a first vertically offset ridge and a second vertically offset ridge; an upper press-fit portion disposed on the upper enclosure and including a recess configured to receive the plurality of vertically offset ridges; a first turn-up portion and a second turn-up portion extending forward from the sealing portion; Including, the first vertically offset ridge has a first width, the second vertically offset ridge has a second width greater than the first width, and the first and second turn-up portions are vertically offset a distance. Elastomer container.

2. 2. The elastomeric container of claim 1, wherein the first turn-up portion extends further forward than the second turn-up portion.

3. 2. The elastomeric container of claim 1, wherein the first turn-up portion extends forwardly from the bottom press-fit portion and the second turn-up portion extends forwardly from the top press-fit portion.

4. 2. The elastomeric container of claim 1, further comprising a front vertical recess located in front of said vertical protrusion and a rear vertical recess located behind said vertical protrusion opposite said front side.

5. 5. The elastomeric container of claim 4, wherein the top press fit further includes front and rear protrusions extending vertically toward the bottom press fit and received in the front and rear vertical recesses, respectively.

6. The elastomeric container of claim 4 , wherein the bottom press fit further comprises a first vertical section at an innermost portion of the rear vertical recess opposite the front vertical recess.

7. 5. The elastomeric container of claim 4, wherein the depth of said rear vertical recess is greater than the depth of said front vertical recess.

8. 8. The elastomeric container of claim 7, wherein the closure is configured to provide a reduced opening force from the front side of the vertical protrusion relative to the force required to open the elastomeric container from the interior volume.

9. The elastomeric container of claim 1 , wherein the top enclosure is joined to the bottom enclosure along the rear edge, the left edge, and the right edge.

10. 2. The elastomeric container of claim 1, wherein the width of the leading edge measured from the left edge to the right edge is greater than the width of the trailing edge measured from the left edge to the right edge.

11. The elastomeric container of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vertically offset ridges include an upper surface that is inclined relative to a horizontal plane.

12. The elastomeric container of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of vertically offset ridges include a lower surface that is parallel to the horizontal plane.

13. In an elastomer container, a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure generally comprised of an elastomer, the top enclosure and the bottom enclosure having a front edge, a rear edge opposite the front edge, a left edge, and a right edge opposite the left edge, the top enclosure and the bottom enclosure meeting in a horizontal plane; a seal integrally formed with the front edge of the top enclosure and the bottom enclosure and configured to open and close the elastomeric container to provide access to an interior volume of the elastomeric container, The sealing portion is a vertical protrusion extending from a surface of the bottom enclosure, the vertical protrusion extending from below the horizontal plane to above the horizontal plane; a plurality of vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from the vertical protrusion, the plurality of vertically offset ridges including a first vertically offset ridge and a second vertically offset ridge; a groove including one or more recesses extending along a surface of the upper enclosure and configured to receive a groove including the plurality of vertically offset ridges; a first turn-up portion and a second turn-up portion extending forward from the sealing portion; Including, the first vertically offset ridge has a first width, the second vertically offset ridge has a second width greater than the first width, and the first and second turn-up portions are vertically offset a distance. Elastomer container.

14. 14. The elastomeric container of claim 13, further comprising a front vertical recess located on a front side of said vertical protrusion and a rear vertical recess located on a rear side of said vertical protrusion opposite said front side.

15. 15. The elastomeric container of claim 14, wherein the sealing portion further includes front and rear protrusions extending vertically from a surface of the top enclosure toward a surface of the bottom enclosure and received in the front and rear vertical recesses, respectively.

16. The elastomeric container of claim 14 , wherein the bottom press fit further comprises a vertical section at an innermost portion of the rear vertical recess opposite the vertical protrusion.

17. 14. The elastomeric container of claim 13, wherein the width of the leading edge measured from the left edge to the right edge is greater than the width of the trailing edge measured from the left edge to the right edge.

18. The elastomeric container of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of vertically offset ridges include an upper surface that is inclined relative to the horizontal plane.

19. 20. The elastomeric container of claim 18, wherein the plurality of vertically offset ridges include a lower surface that is parallel to the horizontal plane.

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