FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention is directed to containers for storage of objects, and more particularly
containers which are sealable with a cover.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Sealable containers are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,784,055,
iss. Jan. 8, 1974 to Anderson, and 3,967,756, iss. July 6, 1976 to Barish, incorporated
herein by reference, disclose containers having plug seals. However, plug seals require
significant manual manipulation to effect tight sealing. Unless the user is careful,
such a seal may not perimetrically enclose the aperture through which the contents
of the container are to be accessed. Unless full perimetric enclosure is obtained,
perishable contents stored in the container may spoil.
[0003] Another type of seal is illustrated in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,882,
iss. Dec. 7, 1999 to Randall, and incorporated herein by reference. This patent discloses
a container having a closure means activatable by an externally applied force.
[0004] One attempt in the art to overcome the problem of having to manipulate a full perimeter
closure. without having visual, tactile, or audible signal that full sealing has been
obtained, is to use a slider, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,660,875, iss. May
9, 1972 to Gutman, and incorporated herein by reference. However, to date, sliders
have only been capable of unidirectional operation. Sliders are not capable of operation
in an XY plane when used in conjunction with a rigid seal.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,214, iss. Mar. 22, 1977 to Hansen et al., discloses a multiple
plastic container having a cover with a hinged connection to the base. U.S. Pat. No.
5,046,659, iss. Sept. 9, 1991 to Warburton, discloses a thermoformed plastic container
having a locking lid and base. U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,627, iss. Nov. 26, 1996 to Richie-Dubler,
discloses a thermoformed plastic container having a lid and base with an integral
hinge. U.S. Pat. 5,339,973, iss. Aug. 23, 1994 to Edwards et al., discloses a container
having a seal flange comprising a curved surface which interlocks over an arc of more
than 180 degrees.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,092, iss. Sept. 16, 1997 to Julius et al., discloses a container
comprising a cover having a lid tray and peripheral flange. U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,407,
iss. Apr. 16, 1996 to Feer et al., discloses a container lid having a peripheral flange
dimensioned to receive the rim of a container. The flange terminates at a skirt having
a lever arm to allow removal of the lid from the container. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No.
5,377,860, iss. Jan. 3, 1995 to Littlejohn et al., discloses a food container having
a unitary base and also a unitary lid. U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,761, iss. Oct. 22, 1991
to Williams, discloses a reclosable package having a lid and base fusion bonded and
peelably sealed.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,990, iss. June 11, 1996 to Buck, discloses a flexible container
having a flap which closes the container opening. A stiffening element extends around
the periphery of the flap. However, such a container is neither sealable with a slider,
nor sealable by manipulating only a limited sector of the stiffening element.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,330, iss. Mar. 18, 1986 to Schepp, discloses a tray and hinged
lid having a locking engagement internal to a flange. U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,307, iss.
Mar. 18, 1986 to Frydenberg, discloses a container having elements held together by
a sliding latch. The sliding latch precludes opening of the container by preventing
transverse movement of a post/rail combination. U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,266, iss. June
27, 1995 to Yun, discloses a lid with a visual seal indication for proper closure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,462, iss. July 29, 1997 to Simonsen et al., discloses a rigid
reclosable package having a flexible cover.
[0009] None of the aforementioned references disclose a seal which can be applied by manipulating
a sector of the container subtending an arc less than that of the seal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention comprises a container having an aperture to access the contents of
the container. The container comprises a container body having the aperture with a
perimeter therearound, a cover having a perimeter therearound which corresponds to
the perimeter around the aperture, a seal and a slider. The aperture is at least partially
sealable upon closure with a cover. The cover has the seal extending at least partially
therearound. The seal subtends a first sector of the perimeter. The seal is fully
activatable by manipulating a second sector of the perimeter. The second sector is
less than and included within the first sector, the second sector being manipulated
with the slider.
[0011] The container may be fully perimetrically sealed by a complementary cover. The cover
is applied to the seal by manipulating only a portion of the seal.
[0012] In another execution, the invention comprises a method of sealing contents in a container.
The method comprises the steps of providing a container having upstanding sidewalls,
an aperture to access the contents of the container, and a seal therearound. A cover
is provided which is complementary to the seal. The contents to be contained are placed
within the container. The cover is placed onto the aperture, so that the cover is
juxtaposed with the seal and can thereby be engaged. The cover is applied to the perimetric
seal by manipulating a portion thereof, so that the cover is frictionally engaged
by the seal.
[0013] The cover is applied to the seal by circumferentially moving a slider around a portion
of the seal, the portion having a length. The length of the portion is less than the
length of the perimeter of the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the present invention, illustrating
the cover in the open position, and an optional slider not engaging the seal of the
container.
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the container of Fig. 1 showing the cover in the closed
condition and the slider having moved from a position which does not engage the seal
to a position which does engage the seal.
Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Fig. 1 depicts a preferred embodiment of a container 10 according to the present
invention. The container 10 includes a container body preferably unitarily formed
from sheet material. A cover 12 is included with the container 10 and may be unitarily
formed with the container 10. The container 10 further includes a seal 14 for perimetrically
closing the cover 12 onto the seal 14.
[0016] The container 10 is reversibly transformable between two conditions, an open condition
wherein the cover 12 is removed from the container 10 and the contents of the container
10 may be accessed. The contents of the container 10 may be accessed through an aperture
26. When the cover 12 of the container 10 is in the open position, contents may be
inserted into or removed from the container 10.
[0017] In the other condition, the container 10 is closed and the cover 12 sealed onto the
container 10. The closed condition prevents unintended removal, and potentially tampering
with the contents of the container 10. If desired, a lock (not shown) may be included
to prevent unauthorized access to the container 10 when the cover 12 is closed.
[0018] The cover 12 may be generally congruent and substantially coextensive of the circumference
of the container 10 as illustrated. Alternatively, it is to be understood that the
aperture 26 and cover 12 may be sized and/or shaped to have a geometry which is different
from that of the aperture 26 of the container 10. While the illustrated embodiments
show a container 10 having a cover 12 which allows access to the top of the container
10, it is to be understood a cover 12 which is disposed on one or more of the sidewalls
20 or even the bottom of the container 10 may be included. Further, the container
10 may have a plurality of covers 12, as desired. For example, the top of the container
10 may have two smaller covers 12 rather than one large cover 12 or, alternatively,
the top of the container 10 may have one cover 12 and one or more sidewalls 20 of
the container 10 have additional covers 12. Further, the container 10 may be internally
partitioned as desired.
[0019] The container 10 is at least partially sealable with the cover 12 when the cover
12 is in the closed position. In some embodiments, it may be desirable that the seal
14 perimetrically enclose the container 10 when the cover 12 is attached. A perimetric
closure of the seal 14 may be desired when perishable contents are stored in the container
10 or dust and contamination are to be kept out of the container 10 for hygienic purposes.
Alternatively, a partial seal 14 of the container 10 may be desirable when aspiration
of the container 10 is sought. For example, if the container 10 is to be used for
microwave heating of food contents, venting of the container 10 may be desired.
[0020] The container 10 according to the present invention may be relatively small, such
that the container 10 may be stored in one's pocket or purse. Such a container 10
may be useful for storing pills, capsules, etc. Alternatively, the container 10 may
be relatively large such that the container 10 is sized to fit a flat bed semi-truck.
Such a container 10 may be useful for carrying construction materials, etc. One contemplated
use for the container 10 is to store perishable items such as food.
[0021] The container 10 comprises a floor pan 22 and sidewalls 20 projecting outwardly from
the floor pan 22. Preferably, in use, the sidewalls 20 project upwardly and terminate
at a distal end forming the aperture 26 of the container 10. The illustrated embodiment
has four sidewalls 20. However, it is to be recognized the invention is not so limited.
For example, the container 10 may have from three or more walls, or may be round,
oval, etc.
[0022] The cover 12 may be generally flat, as illustrated, or may have a convex inward or
convex outward orientation, as desired. For certain embodiments, it is preferred that
the cover 12 be substantially flat so that the container 10 is stackable.
[0023] The floor pan 22 defines and lies in a first plane. For the embodiment illustrated,
the floor pan 22 is defined by the vertices at the four comers of the upstanding sidewalls
20. The floor pan 22 may be domed convex inwardly to increase strength, as is known
in the art. Particularly, domed floor pans 22 provide increased strength for loading
by the contents of the container 10 in a direction normal to the floor pan 22. Alternatively,
the floor pan 22 may be disposed convex outwardly, although this may be decrease stability
when the container 10 rests on a horizontal surface. It is to be recognized and appreciated
that the floor pan 22 may be domed as is known in the art yet still define a plane.
[0024] The sidewalls 20 are illustrated to be generally perpendicular to and projecting
outwardly from the floor pan 22. It is to be recognized that sidewalls 20 which project
outwardly in a non-perpendicular orientation, e.g., such as a divergent orientation
to provide a greater cross section at the top of the container 10 than at the floor
pan 22, are known and may be utilized in accordance with the present invention.
[0025] Preferably, but not necessarily, the container 10 is formed from a unitary sheet
of material. By forming the container 10 from a unitary sheet of material, the presence
of seal 14 lines within the body of the container 10 is eliminated and pathways for
leakage are reduced.
[0026] Various compositions suitable for constructing the storage containers 10 of the present
invention include substantially impermeable materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), aluminum foil,
coated (waxed, etc.) and uncoated paper, coated nonwovens etc., and substantially
permeable materials such as scrims, meshes, wovens, nonwovens, or perforated or porous
films, whether predominantly two-dimensional in nature or formed into three-dimensional
structures. Such materials may comprise a single composition or layer or may be a
composite structure of multiple materials, including a substrate material utilized
as a carrier for a substance. Materials found suitable for use in accordance with
the present invention include a low density polyethylene film, 10 mil (0.25 millimeters)
thickness, commercially available from Chevron under the manufacturer's designation
PE1122 or syndiotactic polypropylene available from Fina Corp. under the designation
EOD96-28 of 20 mil (0.5 millimeters) thickness. Further suitable materials include
a polyethylene/polypropylene blend. Wood and metal may be used for larger size containers
10.
[0027] Optionally, the container 10 may be reversibly erectable and collapsible. Particularly,
such a container 10 is reversibly transformable between collapsed and erected conditions.
A collapsible container 10 may be made by having a plurality of the sidewalls 20 interconnected
and projecting outwardly from the floor pan 22. At least one of the sidewalls 20 may
have a hinge line disposed substantially parallel to the plane of the floor pan 22.
The hinge line divides the sidewall 20 into upper and lower portions, each of which
is articulable about the hinge line when the container 10 is transformed between the
collapsed and erected conditions. Preferably, each of the sidewalls 20 has a hinge
line and/or an optional gusset to effect collapse and erection. Another form of collapsible
container 10 is illustrated in the aforementioned and incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 5.996.882,
iss. Dec. 7, 1999 to Randall. If it is desired to make a resiliently deformable container
10, the container 10 may be made according to the teachings of commonly assigned U.S.
Pat. No. 5,379,897, iss. Jan. 10, 1995 to Muckenfuhs et al., and incorporated herein
by reference.
[0028] If desired, the container 10 may further be selectively reinforceable, particularly
if the sidewalls 20 of the container 10 are collapsible. The sidewalls 20 may be reinforceable
with an upstanding strut removable from the sidewalls 20 without separation from the
container 10. The struts is transformable between a first position providing reinforcement
to the sidewalls 20 and the second position wherein the strut does not provide reinforcement
to the sidewall 20. Such a strut may be proximally articulable and hingedly attached
to the container 10 at the juncture of the floor pan 22 and respective sidewall 20.
[0029] The reinforcement may further comprise a floor pan 22 support. The floor pan 22 support
spans the floor pan 22, and preferably the major axis thereof. If desired, the floor
pan 22 support may be unitarily formed with one or more struts which selectively reinforce
the sidewalls 20.
[0030] Referring to Fig. 1, and examining the aperture 26, the seal 14 and the cover 12
of the container 10 in more detail, the seal 14 may be disposed on a flange 52. The
flange 52 is circumjacent the aperture 26 of the container 10, although it is to be
understood that in a less preferred embodiment, the seal 14 may be internal to the
aperture 26 of the container 10.
[0031] The seal 14 is preferably rigid, even though the sidewalls 20 may be flaccid, self-supporting,
and/or reversibly collapsible and erectable as noted above. By rigid, it is meant
that the seal 14, even if compliant, has vector components extending in both the X
and Y directions when the container 10 is in its natural, unconstrained state. Thus,
when the container 10 is empty, the seal 14 extends in both the X and Y directions.
Further, the aperture 26 of such a container 10 has the same geometry whether the
container 10 is empty or filled under normal usage conditions.
[0032] A seal 14 is considered to be applied and operable when the cover 12 is in the closed
position and the seal 14 resists and contains a static hydraulic pressure of at least
2.5 centimeters of distilled water at 20°C. Such a seal 14 may be tested by filling
the container 10 to the appropriate depth, applying the seal 14, then turning the
container 10 on its side so that the distilled water is applied at a height of 2.5
centimeters above the seal 14. If no leakage occurs within 15 seconds, the seal 14
is considered to be applied and operable.
[0033] The seal 14 defines an XY plane and a Z-direction orthogonal thereto. The seal 14
extends in at least two directions, such that the seal 14 defines a path having multiple
vector components in each of the X and Y directions. The seal 14 path may be rectilinear,
curvilinear, or a combination thereof.
[0034] In one embodiment, the seal 14 may be disposed in two mutually perpendicular directions,
one substantially parallel to the X direction and the other substantially parallel
to the Y direction. Such directions may be congruent or even coincident the top edge
of the sidewalls 20 of the container 10. If so, the seal 14 defines a vertex having
a minimum radius of curvature determinable by the specific type of seal 14 to be employed,
as discussed below. The vertex defines a Z-direction axis perpendicular to the aforementioned
XY plane. It is to be noted that the XY plane so defined may be, and is preferably
substantially parallel to the plane defined by the floor pan 22 of the container 10.
although skewed plane relationships are specifically contemplated. The seal 14 may
lie within the XY plane, and the cover 12 removable in a direction having a Z-direction
vector component. It is to be recognized that the cover 12 may be articulable as shown
or translatable in the axis of the vertex. In contrast to the slider 60 type geometries
illustrated in the aforementioned and incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 3,660,875, iss. May
9, 1972 to Gutman, the seal 14 of the present invention is orthogonal to the axis
of the vertex.
[0035] If the slider 60 is used, activation of the slider 60 in the closing direction compresses
the seal 14. The seal 14 may be thought of as having a longitudinal axis within the
XY plane of the path of the seal 14. The slider 60 compresses the seal 14 in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
[0036] If it is desired to remove the cover 12 from the container 10 without a hingeable
articulation as illustrated, guide rails may be joined to and project from the internal
or external surfaces of the sidewalls 20 of the container 10. The cover 12 may be
joined to the guide rails. The guide rails may have slots extending perpendicular
to the XY plane of the seal 14. The cover 12 is thus translatable perpendicular to
the XY plane by movement along the guide rails.
[0037] Whether an articulable cover 12 is selected, or a cover 12 translatably removable
from the aperture 26 of the container 10 is selected, in either case, the cover 12
may not necessarily separate from the container 10 even though it is removable therefrom.
By not being separable from the container 10, it is meant that the cover 12 cannot
be permanently displaced apart from the container 10 without tearing or gross deformation
of the material comprising either the container 10, the cover 12, or any members connecting
or adjoining the container 10 to the cover 12. By not separating the cover 12 from
the container 10, the benefit occurs that the cover 12 does not become misplaced,
lost, or intermixed with covers 12 from like-sized containers 10 having different
hygienic or sanitary requirements.
[0038] Referring to Fig. 3, the seal 14 may comprise any type of reusable mechanism known
in the art. Suitable seals 14 include fin seals 14, adhesive seals 14, cohesive seals
14, selectively activatable adhesives as illustrated by commonly assigned U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,662,758, iss. Oct. 2, 1997 in the names of Hamilton et al., 5,871,067, iss.
Feb. 16, 1999 in the names of Hamilton et al., Application Ser. No. 08/745,339, filed
Nov. 8, 1996 in the name of McGuire et al., and Application Ser. No. 08/745,340, filed
Nov. 8, 1996 in the name of Hamilton et al., incorporated herein by reference, and
seals 14 having a friction fit or a compression fit, as illustrated. By reusable,
it is meant that the cover 12 of the container 10 may be reversibly transformed between
each of the open and closed positions at least two times and still functionally seal
14 the container 10.
[0039] One suitable type of seal 14, as illustrated, utilizes complementary projections
54 and recesses 56. It is to be understood that the illustrated embodiment utilizes
a flange 52 extending in the XY plane. The flange 52 is circumjacent the aperture
26 of the container 10. The flange 52 has a projection 54 extending normal to the
XY plane. The cover 12 has a recess 56 extending normal to the XY plane and complementary
with the projection 54. The projection 54 is inserted into the recess 56, providing
a compression seal 14 which extends at least partially, and preferably perimetrically
around the aperture 26 of the container 10.
[0040] It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill that this disposition may be reversed,
so that the recess 56 is disposed in the flange 52 of the container 10. Further, the
cover 12 of the container 10 may also have a flange 52 also extending in the XY plane.
[0041] If desired, the container 10 may be sealable with an optional slider 60. As used
herein, a slider 60 is an apparatus which moves along the aforementioned path of the
seal 14 to open, close, or preferably open and close the seal 14.
[0042] Referring to Fig. 2, if the optional slider 60 is included with the container 10
and cover 12, the slider 60 may be movable in a path juxtaposed with the perimeter
of the aperture 26. It is to be understood that the seal 14 need not be coincident
or juxtaposed with the perimeter of the aperture 26 of the container 10.
[0043] The slider 60 may activate the seal 14, whereby the slider 60 applies the seal 14
when moved in a first direction and releases the seal 14 when moved in the opposite
direction. Thus, activation of the seal 14 includes either application of the seal
14, such as desired for closing the container 10, or release of the seal 14, such
as desired for opening the container 10, or both.
[0044] The slider 60 may be disposed in a track 62, thus distinguishing the slider 60 of
the present invention from and insuring the slider 60 of the present invention does
not include an ordinary zipper. The track 62 is spaced apart from the seal 14. In
the illustrated embodiments, the track 62 is outboard of the seal 14, it being understood
the track 62 could be inboard of the seal 14 as well. The track 62 is in operative
association with the seal 14, whereby the slider 60 can be disposed in the track 62,
and still activate the seal 14 in either or both of the apply and release directions.
The track 62 is preferably congruent with the seal 14, as illustrated.
[0045] The slider 60 is preferably frustroconically shaped. The inside of the slider 60
applies the seal 14 upon activation in the closing direction. The outside of the slider
60 releases the seal 14 upon activation in the opening direction. A suitable slider
60 for use with the present invention is disclosed in the commonly assigned U.S. patent
application filed of even date herewith in the name of Hupp and entitled "Slider Applying
Opening Or Closing Forces to A Fastener Lying In A Two Dimensional Plane", which application
is incorporated herein by reference.
[0046] It is to be recognized that there are various configurations comprising a seal 14/track
62 combination. But, generally, any geometry having a friction or compression fit
of the seal 14 against parent material of either the container 10 or cover 12 while
also providing a guide surface for the slider 60 will be suitable. It is to be recognized
that the guide surface, and hence the track 62, will be spaced apart from the seal
14.
[0047] The track 62 may, and preferably does, further comprise one or more auxiliary tracks
64. The auxiliary tracks 64 are defined as those portions of the track 62 which are
not operatively juxtaposed with the seal 14. The optional slider 60 may ride in the
track 62 until it no longer engages the seal 14, then enters the auxiliary track 64.
When the slider 60 is disposed in the auxiliary track 64, the slider 60 does not engage,
and thus cannot activate, the seal 14. The auxiliary track 64 may be disposed radially
outward of the seal 14, as illustrated, or, if the track 62 is inboard of the seal
14, may be disposed radially inward of the seal 14. Preferably, the auxiliary track
64 does not cross the seal 14, otherwise a perimetric seal will not occur, unless
engagement occurs at the top of the seal 14.
[0048] In the external track 62 embodiment, the container 10 is perimetrically enclosable
by the seal 14, a feature not obtainable in the prior art relating to sliders 60.
The seal 14 is circumferentially applied and released, with or without the optional
slider 60, around the perimeter of the aperture 26. The seal 14 may be applied, at
least partially around the perimeter of the aperture 26, by activation, manually or
with a slider 60, beginning at a first circumferential position and continuing in
serial fashion around the container 10 to a second position circumferentially spaced
apart from the first position. The cover 12 is attached to the container 10 at yet
a third circumferential position. The third position is circumferentially juxtaposed
with at least one of the first position and second positions, and preferably both
such positions, as illustrated.
[0049] Referring still to Fig. 2, two auxiliary tracks 64 are shown. The cover 12 is hingedly
attached to the container 10 at the third position. The auxiliary tracks 64 circumferentially
bound the hinged attachment of the cover 12 to the container 10. Thus, preferably,
the container 10 has two auxiliary tracks 64 as illustrated. With this arrangement,
the slider 60 can be parked in one auxiliary track 64 upon translation in the opening
direction, so that the slider 60 does not interfere with opening of or access to the
contents of the container 10. Likewise, the slider 60 can be parked in the other auxiliary
track 64 upon activation of the seal 14 in the closing direction. It is, of course,
recognized that the slider 60 may be parked in an auxiliary track 64 at a position
not juxtaposed with the hinge or other means for attaching the cover 12 to the container
10.
[0050] In the auxiliary track 64, the terminal end 66 of the slider 60 need only be spaced
apart from the seal 14 a distance sufficient to allow the slider 60 to clear the seal
14, so that the cover 12 may be opened or closed as desired without interference from
the slider 60. For the embodiments illustrated, a slider 60 having a width in the
radial direction, the terminal ends 66 of the auxiliary tracks 64 are spaced outwardly,
in the radial direction, from the seal 14 a distance sufficient to accommodate the
width of the seal 14 and the width of the slider 60.
[0051] It is not necessary that the auxiliary track 64 have a terminal end 66 which predisposes
the slider 60 to park in a particular position. If desired, the slider 60 may be removed
from the auxiliary track 64, and thus separated from the seal 14 and container 10.
Such an arrangement may be useful where it is desired to independently clean the slider
60, providing the slider 60 is not lost or misused.
[0052] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the slider 60 may be parked in a position
juxtaposed and even coincident with that of the seal 14. In such an arrangement, the
cover 12 has a cut-out which allows the cover 12 to clear the slider 60 so that the
cover 12 may be opened without interference from the slider 60.
[0053] In operation, the container 10 is at least partially and preferably perimetrically
sealable upon closure by the cover 12. The seal 14 subtends a first sector 70 of the
perimeter. The first sector 70 preferably subtends at least 270 degrees, more preferably
subtends 360 degrees. The seal 14 may be fully applied throughout the first sector
70, by activation in the closing direction, of a second sector 72 of the seal 14.
The second sector 72 is less than and included within the first sector 70. The second
sector 72 preferably subtends an angle of 260 to 360 degrees, and preferably at least
290 degrees. As illustrated, the hinge may be disposed circumferentially outside of
the second sector 72. Thus, the slider 60, and any other manual manipulation or activation
of the seal 14, does not intercept the hinge.
[0054] If desired, the container 10 and cover 12 may comprise two or more seals 14 disposed
in series. Such seals 14 may be radially offset so that multiple occurrences of leakage
through the seal 14 are required before the cover 12 is breached. Alternatively, an
individual seal 14 may comprise two or more sliders 60. In such an arrangement, each
slider 60 subtends a portion of the first sector 70.
1. A container (10) comprising a container body having an aperture (26) with a perimeter
therearound, a cover (12) having a perimeter therearound which corresponds to the
perimeter around the aperture (26), a seal (14) and a slider (60); said container
(10) being at least partially sealable upon closure with the cover (12); said container
(10) characterised in that said seal (14) subtends a first sector of said aperture perimeter, said seal (14)
being fully activatable by manipulating a second sector of said perimeter, said second
sector being less than and included within said first sector, wherein said second
sector of the perimeter is manipulated with said slider (60).
2. A container (10) according to Claim 1, wherein said cover (12) is attached to said
container (10) by a hinge.
3. A container (10) according to Claims 1, and 2, wherein said seal (14) perimetrically
encloses said container (10) when said cover (12) is attached.
4. A container (10) according to Claims 1, 2, and 3, wherein said hinge is circumferentially
disposed outside of said second sector.
5. A container (10) according to Claims 1, 2, 3, and 4, wherein said cover (12) is attached
to said container (10) at a hinge line disposed radially outwardly of said seal (14).
6. A container (10) according to Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, wherein said slider (60) moves
in a path, said path intercepting said hinge line.
7. A method of sealing contents in a container (10), said method comprising the steps
of providing a container (10) having upstanding sidewalls, an aperture (26) and a
seal (14) therearound, providing a cover (12), said cover (12) being complementary
to said seal (14), placing contents to be contained in said container (10), placing
said cover (12) onto said aperture (26), so that said cover (12) is juxtaposed with
said seal (14) whereby said seal (14) can be engaged; characterized in that said cover (12) is applied to said perimetric seal (14) by manipulating a portion
thereof, whereby said cover (12) is frictionally engaged by said seal (14); wherein
said cover (12) is applied to said seal (14) by circumferentially moving a slider
around a portion of said seal (14), said portion having a length, said length of said
portion being less than the length of said perimeter of said container (10).
8. A method according to Claim 7, said seal (14) having a longitudinal axis, said direction
of said compression being substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
1. Behälter (10), der einen Behälterkörper mit einer Öffnung (26), um die eine Umfangslinie
verläuft, eine Abdeckung (26), um die eine Umfangslinie verläuft, die der Umfangslinie
um die Öffnung (26) entspricht, eine Dichtung (14) und einen Gleiter (60) umfasst;
wobei der Behälter (10) beim Verschließen mit der Abdeckung (12) wenigstens teilweise
abdichtbar ist; wobei der Behälter (10) dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass die Dichtung einen ersten Sektor der Öffnungsumfangslinie begrenzt, wobei die Dichtung
(14) durch Manipulieren eines zweiten Sektors der Umfangslinie vollständig aktivierbar
ist, wobei der zweite Sektor kleiner als der erste Sektor ist und darin enthalten
ist, wobei der zweite Sektor der Umfangslinie durch den Gleiter (60) manipuliert wird.
2. Behälter (10) nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Abdeckung (12) an dem Behälter (10) durch
ein Scharnier befestigt ist.
3. Behälter (10) nach den Ansprüchen 1 und 2, bei dem die Dichtung (14) den Behälter
(10) längs der Umfangslinie verschließt, wenn die Abdeckung (12) befestigt ist.
4. Behälter (10) nach den Ansprüchen 1, 2 und 3, bei dem das Scharnier in Umfangsrichtung
außerhalb des zweiten Sektors angeordnet ist.
5. Behälter (10) nach den Ansprüchen 1, 2, 3 und 4, bei dem die Abdeckung (12) an dem
Behälter (10) bei der Scharnierlinie befestigt ist, die radial außerhalb der Dichtung
(14) angeordnet ist.
6. Behälter (10) nach den Ansprüchen 1, 2, 3, 4 und 5, bei dem sich der Gleiter (60)
längs eines Wegs bewegt, der die Scharnierlinie schneidet.
7. Verfahren zum Abdichten von Inhalten in einem Behälter (10), wobei das Verfahren die
Schritte umfasst, bei denen ein Behälter (10), der aufrechtstehende Seitenwände, eine
Öffnung (26) und eine um sie verlaufende Dichtung (14) besitzt, vorgesehen wird, eine
Abdeckung (12) vorgesehen wird, die zu der Dichtung (14) komplementär ist, Inhalte,
die in dem Behälter (10) aufbewahrt werden sollen, angeordnet werden und die Abdeckung
(12) auf der Öffnung (26) so angeordnet wird, dass sie sich neben der Dichtung (14)
befindet, wodurch ein Eingriff mit der Dichtung (14) erzielt werden kann; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Abdeckung (12) auf die Dichtung (14) längs der Umfangslinie aufgebracht wird,
indem ein Abschnitt hiervon manipuliert wird, wodurch die Abdeckung (12) in einen
reibschlüssigen Eingriff mit der Dichtung (14) gelangt; wobei die Abdeckung (12) auf
die Dichtung (14) aufgebracht wird, indem ein Gleiter um einen Abschnitt der Dichtung
(14) in Umfangsrichtung bewegt wird, wobei der Abschnitt eine Länge besitzt, die kleiner
als die Länge der Umfangslinie des Behälters (10) ist.
8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, bei dem die Dichtung (14) eine Längsachse besitzt, wobei
die Richtung der Kompression zu der Längsachse im Wesentlichen senkrecht ist.
1. Récipient (10) comprenant un corps de récipient comportant une ouverture (26) entourée
d'un périmètre, un couvercle (12) entouré d'un périmètre qui correspond au périmètre
entourant l'ouverture (26), un joint d'étanchéité (14) et une pièce coulissante (60)
; ledit récipient (10) pouvant être rendu au moins partiellement étanche lors de la
fermeture avec le couvercle (12), ledit récipient (10) étant caractérisé en ce que ledit joint d'étanchéité (14) sous-tend un premier secteur dudit périmètre d'ouverture,
ledit joint d'étanchéité (14) pouvant être complètement activé en manipulant un deuxième
secteur dudit périmètre, ledit deuxième secteur étant plus petit que ledit premier
secteur et compris à l'intérieur de celui-ci, ledit deuxième secteur du périmètre
étant manipulé avec ladite pièce coulissante (60).
2. Récipient (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit couvercle (12) est fixé
audit récipient (10) par une articulation.
3. Récipient (10) selon les revendications 1 et 2, dans lequel ledit joint d'étanchéité
(14) ferme de manière périphérique ledit récipient (10) lorsque ledit couvercle (12)
est fixé.
4. Récipient (10) selon les revendications 1, 2 et 3, dans lequel ladite articulation
est disposée circonférentiellement à l'extérieur dudit deuxième secteur.
5. Récipient (10) selon les revendications 1, 2, 3 et 4, dans lequel ledit couvercle
(12) est fixé audit récipient (10) au niveau d'une ligne d'articulation placée radialement
à l'extérieur dudit joint d'étanchéité (14).
6. Récipient (10) selon les revendications 1, 2, 3, 4 et 5, dans lequel ladite pièce
coulissante (60) se déplace selon un trajet, ledit trajet coupant ladite ligne d'articulation.
7. Procédé pour enfermer hermétiquement le contenu d'un récipient (10), ledit procédé
comprenant les étapes consistant à fournir un récipient (10) comportant des parois
latérales ascendantes, une ouverture (26) et un joint d'étanchéité (14) entourant
celle-ci, fournir un couvercle (12), ledit couvercle (12) étant complémentaire dudit
joint d'étanchéité (14), placer ce qui doit être contenu dans ledit récipient (10),
placer ledit couvercle (12) sur ladite ouverture (26), afin que ledit couvercle (12)
soit juxtaposé audit joint d'étanchéité (14) de telle sorte que ledit joint d'étanchéité
(14) puisse venir en prise ; caractérisé en ce que ledit couvercle (12) est appliqué sur ledit joint d'étanchéité (14) périphérique
en manipulant une partie de celui-ci, de sorte que ledit couvercle (12) vienne en
prise par frottement avec ledit joint d'étanchéité (14) ; ledit couvercle (12) étant
appliqué sur ledit joint d'étanchéité (14) en déplaçant circonférentiellement une
pièce coulissante autour d'une partie dudit joint d'étanchéité (14), ladite partie
ayant une certaine longueur, ladite longueur de ladite partie étant inférieure à la
longueur dudit périmètre dudit récipient (10).
8. Procédé selon la revendication 7, ledit joint d'étanchéité (14) présentant un axe
longitudinal, ladite direction de ladite compression étant sensiblement perpendiculaire
audit axe longitudinal.