U.S. patent application number 09/803368 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for pump actuated sealing system.
Invention is credited to Neuner, Charles P..
Application Number | 20010032850 09/803368 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22691551 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010032850 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Neuner, Charles P. |
October 25, 2001 |
Pump actuated sealing system
Abstract
A container with a secured closure is provided with a sealing
system having an inflatable seal. A user actuated pneumatic or
hydraulic pump supplies a quantity of air to inflate the seal. When
the seal is inflated, a surface of the seal acts against surfaces
of the container and the closure to effect a hermetic seal. The air
may be selectively released from the inflatable seal by the user of
the container to facilitate access to the contents of the
container. Conversely, the air may be selectively pumped into the
inflatable seal by the user to provide a secure, impermeable seal
when the container is closed.
Inventors: |
Neuner, Charles P.;
(Amityville, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Estelle J. Tsevdos
Kenyon & Kenyon
One Broadway
New York
NY
10004-1050
US
|
Family ID: |
22691551 |
Appl. No.: |
09/803368 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60188040 |
Mar 9, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/232 ;
215/269; 220/239 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16J 15/46 20130101;
B65D 53/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/232 ;
215/269; 220/239 |
International
Class: |
B65D 053/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A package comprising: a container portion defining a storage
chamber, the container portion having a rim defining an opening
providing access to the storage chamber; a closure member adapted
to substantially close the opening; means for securing the closure
member to the container portion; and a sealing system comprising: a
seal defining an inflation chamber, at least a portion of the seal
expandable in response to addition of a quantity of a fluid medium
to the inflation chamber, a surface of the seal adapted to contact
in impermeable sealing engagement the rim when the at least a
portion of the seal is expanded; inflation means in fluid
communication with the inflation chamber and adapted to supply the
quantity of the fluid medium to the inflation chamber; and valve
means positioned between the inflation chamber and the inflation
means, the valve means adapted to retain the quantity of fluid
medium in the inflation chamber.
2. The package of claim 1 wherein the inflation means further
comprises a pump.
3. The package of claim 1 wherein the valve means further comprises
a one-way valve.
4. The package of claim 1 wherein the sealing system further
comprises vent means in fluid communication with the inflation
chamber and adapted for selectively releasing at least a portion of
the quantity of the fluid medium from the inflation chamber.
5. The package of claim 4 wherein the vent means further comprise a
valve.
6. The package of claim 4 wherein the fluid medium is selected from
one of a gas or a liquid.
7. The package of claim 6 wherein the gas is air.
8. The package of claim 1 wherein the seal is adapted to contact in
impermeable sealing engagement the closure member when the at least
a portion of the seal is expanded.
9. The package of claim 1 wherein the seal further comprises one of
a ring or a disk.
10. The package of claim 1 wherein a cross-sectional shape of the
seal is selected from one of a tubular and a U-channel shape.
11. A sealing system for a package having a container portion and a
closure member, the container portion defining a storage chamber
and having a rim defining an opening providing access to the
storage chamber, the closure member adapted to substantially close
the opening, the sealing system comprising: a seal defining an
inflation chamber, at least a portion of the seal expandable in
response to addition of a quantity of a fluid medium to the
inflation chamber, the seal having a surface adapted to contact in
impermeable sealing engagement the rim when the at least a portion
of the seal is inflated; inflation means in fluid communication
with the inflation chamber and adapted to supply the quantity of
the fluid medium to the inflation chamber; and valve means adapted
to retain the quantity of the fluid medium in the inflation
chamber.
12. The sealing system of claim 11 wherein the inflation means
further comprises a pump.
13. The sealing system of claim 11 wherein the valve means further
comprises a one-way valve.
14. The sealing system of claim 11 further comprising vent means
for selectively releasing at least a portion of the quantity of the
fluid medium from the inflation chamber.
15. The sealing system of claim 14 wherein the vent means further
comprise a valve.
16. The sealing system of claim 14 wherein the fluid medium is
selected from one of a gas or a liquid.
17. The sealing system of claim 16 wherein the gas is air.
18. The sealing system of claim 1 1 wherein the seal is adapted to
contact in impermeable engagement the closure member when the at
least a portion of the seal is expanded.
19. The sealing system of claim 1 1 wherein the seal further
comprises one of a ring or a disk.
20. The sealing system of claim 11 wherein a cross-sectional shape
of the seal is selected from one of a tubular and a U-channel
shape.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a means for sealing a
container. In particular the present invention relates to an
inflatable seal for use between a closure and a container, and a
user actuated pneumatic pressurizing system for inflating the
seal.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Typically, package sealing systems utilize fixed or
permanently inflated flexible surfaces for sealing closures such as
lids, caps, stoppers, etc. The reliability of these types of seals
is dependent on a number of factors, including, the flexibility of
the seal material, the uniformity and manufacturing tolerances of
the container and closure structures against which they bear, and
the life cycle of the seal. Manufacturing deviations and
irregularities on seal bearing surfaces can affect the reliability
of a new or older seal. Structural wear and fatigue encountered
over the life of the package can affect the integrity of the seal
as the package ages.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,033 to Marcus discloses an apparatus
that is said to retard oxidation of a liquid that only partly fills
a container. The apparatus has an inflatable bladder that can be
expanded within the container to occupy empty space and form a seal
against the interior of the container. According to the disclosure,
the apparatus has a cap that does not form a seal and that can be
essentially an open jig or frame that freely vents the interior of
the container. The disclosure indicates that the apparatus is
intended to be substituted for a cork of a wine bottle after the
bottle has been uncorked and a portion of the contents consumed.
Accordingly, the apparatus is not intended to serve as an original
closure suitable for use during storage, shipping and handling of
the bottle in commerce. In fact, the apparatus occupies so much
space in the bottle that it requires the consumption of at least a
portion of the contents of the bottle before it can be used.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,078 to McQueeny discloses a container
for solid articles (e.g., pills) with a closure assembly
incorporating a resilient diaphragm against which a differential
pressure is applied to expand the diaphragm such that it contacts
the articles to prevent their movement within the container. In one
embodiment, the differential pressure is provided by introducing a
vacuum to the interior of the container such that atmospheric
pressure expands the diaphragm into the container. In another
embodiment, the differential pressure is provided by the
introduction of high pressure air above the diaphragm to expand it
into the container. In either case, it appears that the diaphragm
is only intended to be in an expanded condition during storage,
shipping and handling, i.e., before it is obtained by the end user.
The function of the expanded diaphragm is to prevent movement of
solid articles in the container, and to indicate that the container
has not been tampered with. After an end user has initially opened
the container, allowing the diaphragm to relax, there appears to be
no intention to re-expand the diaphragm as this would defeat the
tamper-evident function of the relaxed diaphragm. Furthermore,
there appears to be no provision for re-expanding the
diaphragm.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,795 to Bouix discloses a hollow gasket
positioned between a cover and a base of a container. A reservoir
may be provided in fluid communication with the hollow gasket. In
response to the cover of the container being closed, contents of
the reservoir are forced into the hollow gasket to expand the
gasket. However, the disclosure indicates that the hollow gasket
and the reservoir are sealed so as not to allow the contents to be
accessed, i.e., a closed system, thus, after initial charging of
the closed system, the degree of expansion or force of expansion
cannot conveniently be selected or controlled.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for a closure device with an
expandable seal that not only protects the product during storage,
shipping and handling in commerce, but also is selectively
actuatable after purchase by the consumer.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A sealing system is provided for use in the opening of a
container portion of a package. The opening has a closure in the
form of a lid, cap, stopper etc. The sealing system has a seal that
defines a selectively inflatable chamber (an inflation chamber) for
receiving a quantity of air. A user actuated pneumatic or hydraulic
pressurizing system, i.e., a pump, supplies ambient air or other
fluid medium in sufficient quantity to the inflation chamber to
pressurize the sealing system, thus inflating the seal. When the
inflation chamber of the sealing system is charged, a surface of
the seal, i.e., a pressurized surface, acts against a surface
proximal to the opening, i.e., a non-pressurized surface, to effect
a hermetic seal. The air or fluid medium may be selectively
released from the inflation chamber by the user to facilitate
access to the contents of the container, and selectively charged to
the inflation chamber by the user to provide a secure, impermeable
seal when the container is closed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a sectional, elevation view of a package according
to the invention with the closure member removed from the container
portion, and with inflation means and seal secured to the closure
member;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a sectional, elevation view of the package shown
in FIG. 1 with the closure member secured to the container
portion;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a sectional, elevation view of the closure member
of the package showing an alternative embodiment of the seal;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a sectional, elevation view of the closure member
of the package showing another alternative embodiment of the
seal;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a sectional, elevation view of an alternative
embodiment of the closure member of the package showing an
alternative embodiment the seal;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of the package with
inflation means and seal secured to the container portion;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the package according to the
present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a sectional, elevation view of a closure member
according to the invention showing yet another embodiment of the
pump and seal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, a package according to
the invention is shown generally at reference number 2. As used in
this description, the terms "up", "down", "top", "bottom", etc.
refer to package 2 when in the orientation illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 2, for example, although it will be recognized that the
depicted package may be placed in other orientations, and that
invention may be incorporated into packages having other
orientations. Unless otherwise defined, the terms "inner" and
"inwardly" indicate elements, surfaces or movements directed toward
or closer to the center of the package, and, conversely, the terms
"outer" or "outwardly" indicate elements, surfaces or movements
directed away from or further from the center of the package.
[0019] The package 2 comprises a container portion 4 and a closure
member 12.
[0020] The container portion 4 has a peripheral wall 5 connecting a
closed end 7 and an opposite end 9. The container portion 4 defines
a storage chamber 6. At the opposite end 9, the peripheral wall 5
forms a rim 10 that defines an opening 8 which provides access to
the storage chamber 6.
[0021] Closure member 12 is dimensioned and adapted to selectively
open and close the opening 8. Closure member 12 may be in the form
of, for example, a cap, a lid, a cover, a stopper, or means
suitable for closing opening 8. The closure member 12 may be
separable from the package 2, or the closure member 12 may be
movably attached to the package 2 by, for example, a hinge, a
tether or other flexible means (not shown). In any case, it will be
understood that the closure member 12 can be selectively moved from
a first position wherein the opening 8 is substantially closed to a
second position wherein the opening 8 affords the user at least
minimal access to the contents of the storage chamber 6. This will
be accomplished by removing the closure member to a position free
from the container portion, or by pivoting an attached closure
member away from the opening. The term "substantially closed" will
be understood to mean that access to or release of the contents of
the storage chamber is substantially limited, but this term as used
herein is not intended mean that the closed opening is
impervious.
[0022] In the package 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the closure member
12 is a cap 25 having a horizontal end wall 13 supporting a
depending skirt 11. The cap 25 is secured to the container portion
4 by cooperating threads 14 and 16. It will be understood that
other of means may be employed to secure the closure member 12 to
the container portion 4, such as, for example, a friction-fit or
snap-fit, a lug and channel (e.g., bayonet), a lever, a pin, a
latch, a strap, a ball and detent, etc., so long as the means
employed is capable of withstanding closure opposing forces
generated by the sealing system described in greater detail
below.
[0023] A sealing system 18 is provided between the container
portion 4 and the closure member 12. The sealing system 18 includes
a seal 20 in the form of a hollow tube 21 defining an inflation
chamber 22 and having an external surface 60. In the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hollow tube 21 is positioned on an
inner surface 15 of the end wall 13 of cap 25, to which it may be
attached by an adhesive or other suitable means.
[0024] It will be understood that the seal and inflation chamber
may take other forms. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, an inflation
chamber 122 is defined between a seal 120 in the form of a plenum
121, and the inner surface 15 of end wall 13. An outer edge 123 of
the plenum 121 is imperviously secured to an opposing portion of
the surface 15 by, for example, adhering with an adhesive, by
welding or by bi-injection molding. The plenum has an external
surface 160, a portion of which is adapted to contact the rim 10 of
the container portion 4 when the seal is inflated. In another
alternative construction shown in FIG. 4, an inflation chamber 222
is defined between a seal 220 in the form of a U-section channel
221, and the inner surface 15 of end wall 13. Opposite edges 235,
237 of the channel are imperviously secured to surface 15 by, for
example, adhering with an adhesive, by welding or by bi-injection
molding. The seal 220 has an external surface 260, a portion of
which is adapted to contact the rim 10 of the container portion 4
when the seal is inflated. In FIG. 5, an inflation chamber is
defined between a seal 320 in the form of washer-like elastic ring
321 and a groove 17 in inner surface 15 of end wall 13. As in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 4, opposite edges 335, 337 of the ring are
imperviously secured to surface 15 by, for example, adhering with
an adhesive, by welding or by bi-injection molding. A portion of an
external surface 360 of the seal 320 is adapted to contact the rim
10 of the container portion 4 when the seal is inflated.
[0025] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the hollow tube 21
enclosing the inflation chamber 22 is made from an elastic
material. Upon the addition under pressure of a suitable fluid
medium, such as, for example, ambient air, to the inflation chamber
22, the hollow tube expands. When the air is released from the
inflation chamber, the hollow tube relaxes and returns to its
pre-inflation dimensions.
[0026] Stated in more general terms, an inflatable portion of the
seal 20, i.e., a portion of the seal 20 that substantially
corresponds to the dimensions of the inflation chamber 22, is
expanded from a first configuration to a second configuration in
response to the injection of a quantity of a fluid medium into the
inflation chamber from an external source. The entire seal 20 may
be resiliently elastic, or the seal 20 will have at least one
elastic wall suitably sized and positioned to expand and form the
required sealing surface or surfaces. When the inflatable portion
of the seal is in the inflated configuration, the external surface
60 of the seal is adapted to contact in impermeable sealing
engagement a surface or surfaces of the container portion of the
package about or within the rim 10.
[0027] If the seal is dimensioned to completely cover the opening
(e.g., a disk-like plenum) and is structurally capable of closing
the opening without support from the closure member, the sealing
surface need not contact the closure member. Conversely, if the
seal is not dimensioned to completely cover the opening (e.g., a
ring), and/or is not structurally capable of closing the opening
without support from the closure member, portions of the seal 20
must be adapted to contact a surface or surfaces of the closure
member proximal to the rim. Where the seal is dimensioned to
completely cover the opening, but is not structurally capable of
closing the opening without support from the closure member,
contact of the seal with the closure member merely provides bearing
support for the seal to push toward the container portion of the
package, thus contact between the seal and the closure member need
not be impervious. Where the seal is not dimensioned to completely
cover the container opening, the seal must contact a surface or
surfaces of the closure member in impervious sealing engagement to
properly seal the storage chamber from the external
environment.
[0028] The sealing system 18 further comprises inflation means 34
in fluid communication with the inflation chamber 22. The inflation
means 34 are adapted to inject a quantity of air or other fluid
medium into the inflation chamber 22 to expand the seal 20. The
inflation means 34 preferably comprise a diaphragm-type pump 36
connected to the inflatable seal 20 by a passage 30. A pump of the
type that is commonly used in the athletic shoe industry would be
suitable for the sealing system and containers contemplated by the
invention, e.g., containers for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, foods
or other perishables. Examples of such pumps are disclosed, for
example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,995,173 to Spier, 5,480,287 to
Pozzebon et al. and 5,765,298 to Potter et al., each of which is
incorporated herein by reference. The pump can comprise a part of
the structure of the sealing system. In particular, the pump can be
incorporated into the wall structure of the inflatable portion of
the seal, or a portion adjacent to the inflation portion of the
seal. Alternatively, the pump can be a separate structure from the
seal, connected to the inflation chamber by a conduit or
passage.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the diaphragm-type pump 36 is
mounted externally on the end wall 13 of cap 25. An extension 43
from the pump carries the passage 30 out from the pump and through
a bore 47 into the interior of the package to connect to the seal
20. The pump has an actuator 38 in the form of a flexible wall
portion that is readily accessible to the user at the surface of
the package 2. Alternatively, the actuator 38 could be operated by
an actuator member (not shown) such as, for example, a piston, a
button, a lever, a cam or a rod that is accessible to the user.
Although the pump 36 is shown and described as being mounted on an
outer surface of the package in FIGS. 1-5, it could alternatively
be substantially enclosed within the structure of the package 2
(see FIG. 6) as long as a clearance 452 is provided in the package
2 to provide access to the pump actuator 438 or actuator
member.
[0030] The pump 36 consists of a wall 40 formed into a bladder-like
body defining a pump chamber 42. An inlet port 50 is provided in a
position in the wall 40 that is accessible to the user. The inlet
port 50 provides fluid communication between the pump chamber 42
and the atmosphere outside of the wall 40, thus allowing air from
the atmosphere to enter the pump chamber 42. The sealing system 18
is intended to be selectively actuatable by the package user.
Accordingly, after the closure member 12 is secured to the
container portion 4 of the package 2 by way of the cooperating
threads 14 and 16, the pump 36 is actuated by placing a finger over
the inlet port 50 on the diaphragm, and pushing inwardly on the
diaphragm to compress the bladder-like body. Because the inlet port
50 is covered by the user's finger, air in the pump chamber cannot
escape through the inlet port 50, and is pushed out through the
passage 30 into the inflation chamber 22 of seal 20. Release of the
diaphragm after a compression stroke opens the inlet port 50 to
permit the flow of air into the pump chamber from the atmosphere,
and allows the bladder to return to its original uncompressed
condition. With the bladder in its uncompressed condition and the
pump chamber filled with air, the pump is ready for another
compression stroke.
[0031] A one-way valve 44 is provided between the pump chamber 42
and the inflation chamber 22 to prevent the flow of air back into
the pump chamber from the inflation chamber. In the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 1-2, the one-way valve 44 is positioned near the
beginning of passage 30. The one-way valve may take the form of a
check valve, diaphragm valve, flapper valve, etc., or other means
biased to prevent the air or other fluid medium from flowing out of
from the inflation chamber back through the pump. A one-way valve
could also be substituted for the inlet port 50.
[0032] Alternatively, the inflation means could comprise a supply
of fluid medium stored under pressure and a means for delivering
the pressurized medium to the inflation chamber. A CO2 or air
canister could, for example, supply pressurized gas through
conduits and suitable user actuatable valves to the inflation
chamber (not shown).
[0033] As indicated above, ambient air is preferred as the fluid
medium used for inflating the seal, but the fluid medium may be any
suitable type, either liquid or gaseous, that is compatible with
the materials from which the sealing system is constructed. Ambient
air is contemplated as the preferred fluid medium because it is
readily available and compatible with a large number of materials.
Furthermore, when the air is released from the inflation chamber to
deflate the seal, it can simply be released to the atmosphere from
which it came, without the need for complex waste collection
systems and without concerns that it might contaminate or otherwise
harm the atmosphere or the user upon release.
[0034] The sealing system further comprises vent means 46 for
selectively releasing at least a portion of the air from the
inflation chamber. The vent means 46 can be a separate valve as
shown in FIGS. 1-2, which when manipulated by the user, opens to
allow air to escape from the inflation chamber. Alternatively, the
vent means could comprise a part of the one-way valve 44, such that
manipulation of the one-way valve would permit escape or release of
air from the inflation chamber 22. The vent means is adapted to be
actuated by the user, thus, a vent means actuator 49 in the form of
a button or rod is provided at the surface of the package. The vent
means actuator 49 may, for example, be accessible through the port
or clearance provided for the pump actuator, or alternatively,
through a separate access port or clearance.
[0035] An alternative embodiment of the package is shown generally
at 402 in FIG. 6. Package 402 comprises a container portion 404 and
a closure member 412. The container portion 404 has a peripheral
wall 405 connecting a closed end 407 and an opposite end 409. The
container portion 404 defines a storage chamber 406. At the
opposite end 409, the peripheral wall 405 forms a rim 410 that
defines an opening 408 which provides access to the storage chamber
406. The closure member 412 is a cap 425 having a horizontal end
wall 413 supporting a depending skirt 411. The cap 425 is adapted
to be secured to the container portion 404 by way of cooperating
threads 414 and 416. A sealing system 418 is provided between the
container portion 404 and the closure member 412. The sealing
system 418 includes a seal 420 in the form of a hollow tube 421
defining an inflation chamber 422 and having an external surface
460. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the hollow tube 421 is
positioned on the rim 410 of the container portion 404, to which it
may be attached by adhesion or other suitable means. It will be
understood that, as described above, the seal and inflation chamber
may take other forms. The sealing system 418 further comprises
inflation means 434 in fluid communication with the inflation
chamber 422. The inflation means 434 are adapted to inject a
quantity of air or other fluid medium into the inflation chamber
422 to expand the seal 420. The inflation means 434 preferably
comprise a diaphragm-type pump 436 connected to the inflatable seal
420 by a passage 430. The pump 436 will have an actuator 438 in the
form of a flexible wall portion that is readily accessible to the
user at the surface of the package 402 through an opening or
clearance 452 in the surface of the package. The pump 436 consists
of a wall 440 formed into a bladder-like body defining a pump
chamber 442. An inlet port 450 is provided in a position in the
wall that is accessible to the user. The inlet port 450 provides
fluid communication between the pump chamber 442 and the atmosphere
outside of the wall 440, thus allowing air from the atmosphere to
enter and fill the pump chamber 442. After the closure member 412
is secured to the container portion 404 of the package 402 by way
of the cooperating threads 414, 416, the pump 436 is actuated by
placing a finger over the inlet port 450 to close it, and then
pushing inwardly on the actuator 438 to compress the bladder-like
body. Air in the pump chamber is pushed out through the passage 430
into the inflation chamber 422 of seal 420. Release of the actuator
after compression opens the inlet port 450, permitting the flow of
air into the pump chamber from the atmosphere and allowing the wall
440 of the bladder-like body to return to its original uncompressed
condition. With the bladder-like body in its uncompressed condition
and the pump chamber filled with air, the pump is ready for another
compression.
[0036] A one-way valve 444 is provided between the pump chamber 442
and the inflation chamber 422 to prevent the flow of air back into
the pump chamber from the inflation chamber. Thus, the seal 420
remains inflated with the external surface 460 of the seal pressed
in impervious contact with the rim 410 and the inner surface 415 of
the cap 425. The sealing system 418 further comprises vent means
446 for selectively releasing at least a portion of the air from
the inflation chamber. The vent means 446 is preferably in the form
of a valve which, when manipulated by the user, opens to allow air
to escape from the inflation chamber.
[0037] In yet another embodiment, shown in FIG. 8, inflation means
534 is incorporated into the structure of closure member 512. The
closure member 512 is a cap 525 having a horizontal end wall 513
supporting a depending skirt 511. The cap 525 is adapted to be
secured to the container portion 4 (shown in FIG. 1) by way of
thread 516 which is adapted to cooperatively engage thread 14 on
the container portion 4. A sealing system 518 is provided between
the container portion 4 and the closure member 512. The sealing
system 518 includes a seal 520 in the form of a U-section channel
521. An inflation chamber 522 is defined within the U-section of
the channel 521, and between the channel 521 and an inner surface
515 of end wall 513. Opposite edges 535, 537 of the channel 521 are
imperviously secured to surface 515 by, for example, adhering with
an adhesive, by welding or by bi-injection molding. A downwardly
opening groove or clearance 517 in inner surface 515 of end wall
513 may be provided to increase the volume of the inflation chamber
522, and to facilitate fluid communication between the inflation
chamber and the inflation means 534. It will be understood that, as
described above with reference to the other embodiments, the seal
and inflation chamber may take other forms. The sealing system 518
includes inflation means 534, which are in fluid communication with
the inflation chamber 522, and which are adapted to inject a
quantity of air or other fluid medium into the inflation chamber
522 to expand the seal 520. The inflation means 534 preferably
comprise a diaphragm-type pump 536 in fluid communication with the
inflation chamber 522 by way of a passage 530. The pump 536 has an
actuator 538 in the form of a flexible wall portion that is readily
accessible to the user at the surface of the closure member 512.
The pump 536 consists of an elastic wall 540 covering a upwardly
opening cavity 557 in the end wall 513. A perimeter 559 of the
elastic wall 540 is imperviously secured to the end wall 513 by,
for example, adhering with an adhesive, by welding or by
bi-injection molding. In this way, a pump chamber 542 is defined
between the elastic wall 540 and the walls of the cavity 557. An
inlet port 550 is provided in a position in the wall 540 that is
accessible to the user. The inlet port 550 provides fluid
communication between the pump chamber 542 and the atmosphere
outside of the wall 540, thus allowing air from the atmosphere to
enter and fill the pump chamber 542. The pump 536 is actuated to
inflate the seal 520 by placing a finger over the inlet port 550 to
close the port, and subsequently pushing inwardly on the actuator
538. This expands the elastic wall 540 into the pump chamber 542,
and correspondingly reduces the volume of the pump chamber 542. Air
in the pump chamber 542 under pressure created by the reduced
volume is pushed out through the passage 530 into the inflation
chamber 522 of seal 520, thus expanding the seal. After compression
of the pump chamber, the actuator 538 is released to open the inlet
port 550, permitting air to flow into the pump chamber 542 from the
atmosphere, and to allow the elastic wall 540 of the pump to return
to its original unexpanded condition. In this condition, the pump
is ready for another compression.
[0038] A one-way valve 544 is provided between the pump chamber 542
and the inflation chamber 522 to prevent the undesired flow of air
back into the pump chamber from the inflation chamber. The sealing
system 518 further comprises vent means 546 for selectively
releasing at least a portion of the air from the inflation chamber.
The vent means 546 is preferably in the form of valve with a vent
actuator 549 which, when manipulated by the user, opens the vent
valve to allow air to escape from the inflation chamber 522.
[0039] In each of the foregoing embodiments, the inflation means
and the vent means can conveniently be manipulated by the user to
increase or decrease the pressure applied by the inflatable seal
between the closure member and the container portion. This permits
the user to, for example, deflate the seal before removing the
closure member, thus significantly easing the effort required
remove the closure member while reducing frictional wear on the
sealing surfaces. Also, over the life of the package, the seal can
be inflated to a greater degree to compensate for increasing gaps
and tolerances resulting from wear and tear on the various
components. A pressure gauge or indicator (not shown) may be
provided on the package for the user to determine the degree of
pressure exerted by the seal.
[0040] The container portion and closure member of the package may
be made from any one of a number of well known materials such as,
for example, glass, metal or plastic, and may be formed by known
methods. Preferably, the container and closure are one of numerous
well-known packages typically used for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals,
or other perishable goods. Because the inflatable sealing system is
intended to have dimensions that correspond substantially to a
typical non-inflatable seal, a known package or closure member can
be readily modified to accommodate a sealing system according to
the present invention. The modification required may merely involve
providing a bore to accommodate the passage 30 from a pump mounted
on an outside surface of the package to the hollow seal inside the
package (see FIGS. 1-5).
[0041] The sealing system, including the seal, the inflation means
and the control means and any connecting and/or supporting
structure are preferably made of readily available plastic resin
materials that are easily and economically formed and molded. The
materials would include hard plastic and elastomeric components
that preferably can be integrally formed by bi-injection molding,
or separately formed and fastened together by adhesion, sonic
welding or other well known methods. The sealing system may be
formed separate and apart from the container portion of the closure
member. A separately formed sealing system could readily be
retrofitted into an existing package structure. Alternatively, the
sealing system may be formed integrally with the container portion
and/or the closure member.
[0042] The invention is principally intended for use with cosmetic
packages to better preserve and extend the shelf life of the
contents of the package. However, it will be clear to those skilled
in the art that a package with the sealing system according to the
invention will also be very well suited for any product that would
benefit from an improved hermetic seal. This would include any
product which when exposed to the external atmosphere is subject to
change due to, for example, the escape from the product of volatile
components, or the degradation of labile components in the product.
Accordingly, in addition to cosmetics, examples of categories of
products that can benefit from the invention include, but are not
limited to, pharmaceuticals, foods, toiletries, solvents, coatings
(e.g., paints and varnishes), lubricants and fuels, etc.
[0043] While the invention has been described and illustrated as
embodied in preferred forms of construction, it will be understood
that various modifications may be made in the structure and
arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and the
scope of the invention recited in the following claims.
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