U.S. patent application number 10/444251 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-25 for sealing clasp.
Invention is credited to Martinez, Michael A..
Application Number | 20040231111 10/444251 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33450610 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040231111 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martinez, Michael A. |
November 25, 2004 |
Sealing clasp
Abstract
A sealing clasp, according to the present invention, includes a
plate formed with an opening. A slit is formed in the plate between
the opening and at least one edge of the plate. One or more fins is
formed monolithically in the opening. The one or more fins includes
a semicircular projecting member. One or more restraining notches
is also formed in the opening. One or more teeth may be formed in
the opening.
Inventors: |
Martinez, Michael A.;
(Albuquerque, NM) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ray R. Regan
P.O. Box 1442
Corrales
NM
87048
US
|
Family ID: |
33450610 |
Appl. No.: |
10/444251 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/30.5S |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/1625 20130101;
Y10T 24/155 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/030.50S |
International
Class: |
B65D 077/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sealing clasp, comprising: a plate; an opening formed in the
plate; at least one slit extending from the opening to the edge of
the plate; and one or more fins monolithically formed in the
opening, wherein the one or more fins includes a substantially
semicircular projecting member.
2. A sealing clasp as recited in claim 1, wherein the opening is
defined by a collar.
3. A sealing clasp as recited in claim 2, further comprising one or
more restraining notches integrally formed in the collar.
4. A sealing clasp as recited in claim 3, wherein the one or more
restraining notches includes a substantially semicircular concave
arch.
5. A sealing clasp as recited in claim 4, wherein at least one fin
is monolithically formed in the collar to extend substantially
toward the center of the opening.
6. A sealing clasp as recited in claim 1, further comprising two or
more tapered flanges integrally formed in the plate.
7. A sealing clasp as recited in claim 6, wherein the two or more
tapered flanges include a substantially semicircular projecting
member.
8. A system for sealing a bag, comprising: a plate formed with an
outer edge; an opening formed substantially in the center of the
plate, wherein the opening is defined by a collar; at least one
slit formed in the plate; one or more fins formed monolithically in
the collar; and at least one restraining notch formed
monolithically in the collar.
9. A system for sealing a bag as recited in claim 8, formed without
means for piercing the bag.
10. A system for sealing a bag as recited in claim 8, wherein the
at least one slit extends between the collar and the outer edge of
the plate for engaging a portion of the bag.
11. A system for sealing a bag as recited in claim 8, further
comprising opposing tapered flanges formed in the plate.
12. A system for sealing a bag as recited in claim 8, wherein the
one or more fins includes at least one substantially semicircular
projecting member.
13. A system for sealing a bag as recited in claim 8, wherein the
at least one restraining notch includes a semicircular concave
arch.
14. A device for extending the shelf life of bagged products,
comprising: a plate formed with an opening; means formed in the
plate for twistably and slidably sealing a bag; and means for
precluding damage to the bag during use of the device.
15. A device for extending the shelf life of bagged products as
recited in claim 14, wherein the plate is made from
polystyrene.
16. A device for extending the shelf life of bagged products as
recited in claim 14, wherein the opening is formed with a
collar.
17. A device for extending the shelf life of bagged products as
recited in claim 14, wherein the sealing means includes a slit
formed in the plate, and further wherein the slit is formed with
opposing walls spaced a distance apart.
18. A device for extending the shelf life of bagged products as
recited in claim 17, wherein the sealing means includes opposing
tapered flanges formed in the plate, further comprising a
substantially triangular slot at one end of the plate.
19. A device for extending the shelf life of bagged products as
recited in claim 14, wherein the damage precluding means includes
one or more semicircular projecting members mounted monolithically
on the plate.
20. A device for extending the shelf life of bagged products as
recited in claim 14, wherein the damage precluding means includes
at least one semicircular concave arch formed monolithically in the
plate.
21. A method for manufacturing a sealing clasp for a bag,
comprising: forming a plate from a sheet of material; shaping an
opening through the plate; disposing monolithically one or more
fins in the opening; including one or more restraining notches in
the opening; configuring the plate with at least one slit from the
opening through the plate; and mounting integrally on the plate
means for inhibiting damage to the bag.
22. A method for manufacturing a sealing clasp as recited in claim
24, wherein the forming step includes the substeps of: selecting a
plastic material; forming the plate with an external edge; incising
from the plate the at least one slit; and forming monolithically in
the plate a plurality of tapered flanges adjacent the external edge
of the plate.
23. A method for manufacturing a sealing clasp as recited in claim
21, wherein the shaping step includes the substeps of: boring an
opening substantially in the center of the plate; providing a
collar that defines the opening; and extending the at least one
slit through the collar.
24. A method for manufacturing a sealing clasp as recited in claim
20, wherein the disposing step includes the substeps of:
configuring the one or more restraining notches to include a
substantially semicircular concave arch; and shaping the at least
one fin and the plurality of tapered flanges with one or more
semicircular projecting members.
25. An apparatus for closing a bag, comprising: a plate formed with
an opening; at least one slit extending from the opening to the
edge of the plate, wherein the slit is formed with opposing walls
substantially in contact with each other; one or more restraining
notches formed in the opening; and one or more teeth monolithically
mounted in the opening.
26. An apparatus for closing a bag as recited in claim 25, wherein
the one or more fins includes a substantially semicircular
projecting member.
27. A sealing clasp as recited in claim 25, wherein the one or more
restraining notches includes a substantially semicircular concave
arch.
28. A sealing clasp as recited in claim 25, further comprising two
or more tapered flanges integrally formed in the plate.
29. A sealing clasp as recited in claim 25, wherein the two or more
tapered flanges include a substantially semicircular projecting
member.
30. A sealing clasp as recited in claim 25, further comprising one
or more fins.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains generally to sealing devices.
More particularly, the new and useful invention claimed in this
document pertains to an apparatus for preventing air and other
gases and odors either from escaping or leaking from, or gaining
entry to, a confined space in a flexible container. The present
invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful for
inhibiting, controlling, or reducing unwanted air and gas flow into
and from a bag, such as a bread bag, thus extending the shelf life
of the contents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Almost everything grown, processed, made, or manufactured
must be packaged for protection, transportation, marketing, and
presentation to consumers. Conversely, almost everything grown,
processed, or made as a consumer expendable may be converted to
refuse, garbage, trash, and waste (collectively in this document,
"garbage") that must be disposed of. A variety of packaging devices
have been designed for both purposes.
[0003] In the United States, about 500 billion packages are
manufactured and used annually. Increasing use is made of packaging
in the form of bags, particularly plastic bags. As used in this
document, the term "bag" refers to a flexible container that may be
closed for holding, storing, or carrying something. A common, but
not exclusive, form of plastic material used to manufacture bags is
polystyrene. Polystyrene may provide a transparent or opaque
container that is flexible, expandable, and in some instances
biodegradable or decomposable. The bread baking and manufacturing
industry uses a considerable number of plastic bags in which to
package loaves of bread that are placed on supermarket shelves
nationwide. For example, Orowheat.RTM. Baking Company bags in
excess of 700 million loafs of bread annually.
[0004] Many products packaged in bags and displayed for sale to
consumers, have limited shelf lives. Considering baked bread as a
nonexclusive example, loaves of bread packaged and stored in
plastic bags may lose quality, grow stale, become hard to the touch
or otherwise degraded if (a) air and other unwanted gases enter the
bag; (b) desirable preserving chemicals and gases such as enzymes
escape from a bag opened or pierced before purchase by a consumer
for consumption; or (c) gases, including air, enter and leave a bag
that is opened and closed by the consumer after purchase, but
closed or sealed inadequately. Any or all of these undesirable
results may occur, for example, during shelf stocking. The term
"shelf stocking," as used in this document, generally refers to the
process by which a person, known as a stocker, restocks short shelf
life products such as bread. In a typical U.S. chain supermarket,
someone restocks bread as often as three times daily. The stocker
moves newer loaves of bread to the back of shelves, and locates
older loaves to the front. The loaves of bread, therefore, are
subject to considerable jostling. The bags themselves behave like
bellows, inflating and deflating, during movement and relocation.
The conventional devices currently available for closing a bag,
such as a bread bag, often pierce or tear the bag during the
restocking process. Further, it is useful for any number of
contents of bags to preclude unwanted communication of air and
gases into and from a bag. A nonexclusive example of a bag from
which it is desirable to preclude unwanted communication of air and
gases into and from a bag is a garbage bag. In connection with bags
used primarily for disposing of garbage, it is useful and desirable
to close a bag containing garbage so as to trap within the bag
noxious and otherwise unwanted and undesirable odors. Collectively,
all nonexclusive examples described in this paragraph are referred
to in this document as "unwanted air and gas flow into and from a
bag."
[0005] A variety of apparatus and devices have been designed to
seal bags. For example, twist ties, in the form of a paper or
plastic coated wire that is sufficiently malleable to be twisted
around a portion of a plastic bag, currently are available. Twist
ties are a significant cause of puncturing and piercing bags. For
example, in stocking and restocking loaves of bread in bags on
which twist ties have been attached, the paper or plastic rubs off
or otherwise separates from the wire beneath the paper or plastic.
A person stocking the bread may slide the bagged bread loaves, may
stack the bagged bread loaves on top of one another, and may
arrange bagged bread loaves in any number of configurations. As a
result, the wire in a twist tie often punctures or pierces the
bread bag, causing one or more of the undesirable consequences
disclosed in this document.
[0006] In addition, a variety of other devices, such as sheet clip
type closures, have been designed for closing a plastic bag,
generally by engaging a portion of a twist of a bag. The term
"twist" as used in this document refers to that portion of a bag
below the aperture into a bag, and generally above the contents of
a bag, that may be rotated or twisted to effect a preliminary
closing of the bag, which has the appearance of a braid. Currently
available devices for maintaining closure of a bag generally are
engaged with a portion of such a twist.
[0007] The limitations of such prior approaches include the fact
that all may pierce or puncture a bag at one or more points. Sheet
clips currently available are formed with holes that have internal
securing jaws for securing a twisted portion of a bag. The jaws are
formed with sharp, knife-like edges and points that may tear or
pierce a plastic bag. Also, currently available devices for
securing the opening of a plastic bag neither seize nor clutch
portions of a twist of a bag so as to inhibit, control, or reduce
unwanted air and gas flow into and from a bag. Rather, protrusions
extending inwardly radially toward the center of openings of such
devices allow a twisted portion of a bag to untwist or unfurl, in
turn allowing unwanted air and gas flow into and from a bag.
[0008] Given the purpose of most devices that are currently
available for closing a bag, the limitations probably are to be
expected. The object of most such devices is merely to prevent loss
of contents placed into a bag. The object, therefore, of most
currently available bag sealing devices is not to prevent unwanted
air and gas flow into and from a bag, but to restrain contents
placed in a bag. Thus, most such current devices were not designed
to achieve the objects and benefits of the present invention. Yet
it remains true that many manufacturers, such as bread makers,
devote significant money, time and effort to achieve extended shelf
lives for their products. Such users of sealing clasps are
motivated not, for example, to keep bread or other contents within
a bag; that result is presumed. What is more important to many
producers is to achieve what, until now, has been the illusive goal
of extended shelf life for their products. The present invention
contributes significantly to that goal.
[0009] Prevention of unwanted air and gas flow into and from a bag,
however, continues to be a useful and desirable objective.
Considering as a nonexclusive example loaves of bread sold
nationally in plastic containers such as plastic bags, control of
unwanted air and gas flow into and from a bag is an important goal.
Bread stales. Unwanted air and gas flow into and from a bread bag
contributes to staling. Bread includes lipids (proteins) and
polysaccharides (fatty acids). Staling is caused in part because
starch molecules, including polysaccharides, break down. If
moisture or temperature within a bread bag alters, polysaccharides
crack and break. Federal standards require that each slice of bread
have at least 38% moisture content. It has been proven that reduced
air flow into and from a bread bag keeps bread softer longer. As
breads are dried by air, lipids and polysaccharides degrade.
Consequently, the loaf may begin to stale.
[0010] Consumers use the "touch test" or "squeeze test" to
determine if a particular loaf is one consumers want to buy. If
bread seems "hard," it fails the squeeze test. Failing the squeeze
test causes a loaf to be a lost sale to consumers, and affects the
thin profit margin of bread bakers. Enzymes may be used to inhibit
staling. Enzymes, however, inhibit staling for only a short period
of time, and are very expensive baking additives. Some enzymes used
by bread bakers cost in excess of $700.00 per ounce. Considering
the statistic already cited in this document, that at least one
bread baker bags about 700 million loaves of bread annually, the
cost of enzymes is potentially staggering. In addition, unwanted
air and gas flow into and from a bag may also include unwanted
moisture. While moisture may not cause staling, it is known to
cause mold. All of these problems, and others, contribute to
diminution of a significant goal of producers and manufacturers, as
explained above: achievement of extended shelf life for their
products. Loss of shelf life equates to loss of profits. Worse, a
consumer disappointed by the taste, consistency, look and other
characteristics of a product, may never buy that product again.
Enhanced shelf life is an important consequence of the present
invention.
[0011] Therefore, a previously unaddressed need exists in the
industry for a new, useful and improved sealing clasp capable of
substantially inhibiting, controlling, and reducing unwanted air
and gas flow into and from a bag. The need is particularly acute in
industries making and selling goods in bags having a comparatively
short shelf life such as baked goods and perishables. There also is
a previously unaddressed need to provide a sealing clasp that not
only seals a bag effectively, but also allows a user to quickly
insert and remove the sealing clasp to reduce unwanted air and gas
flow into and from a bag. There also is a previously unaddressed
need in the industry for a new, useful and improved sealing clasp
capable of substantially eliminating the escape of noxious and
unwanted odors from bags used primarily for containing garbage.
[0012] The advantages, objects and features of such a sealing clasp
will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in
conjunction with the accompanying following description, drawing
figures, and appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Given conventional solutions for attempting to solve the
problems associated with preserving the quality of goods within a
bag, and with inhibiting, controlling, and reducing unwanted air
and gas flow into and from a bag containing goods, and with
preventing the escape of unwanted odors from a bag, it would be
desirable, and of considerable advantage, to provide a sealing
clasp that accomplishes those objectives.
[0014] At least one advantage of the sealing clasp of the present
invention is that it is formed with a semicircular projecting
member that provides surface contact with a bag and the twist of a
bag that is devoid of sharp edges or points that may pierce a bag,
particularly a flexible and twistable plastic bag.
[0015] Another advantage of the sealing clasp is its ability to
extend the shelf life of bagged products, produce, baked goods, and
other items.
[0016] Yet another advantage of the present invention is a sealing
clasp that includes a semicircular restraining notch that
contributes to clutching portions of a bag, including twisted
portions of a plastic bag both before and after the twisted portion
untwists or unfurls, to therefore inhibit loss of gases from the
bag, including air, unwanted odors, and other gases, as well as
inhibit entrance of unwanted air and gases into a bag.
[0017] Another advantage of the present invention is its ability to
avoid breakdown of enzymes that may occur on exposure to too much
air, too often.
[0018] Still another advantage of the invention in at least one
embodiment is the use of teeth to clutch a portion of a bag,
including a twisted portion of a plastic bag both before and after
the twisted portion untwists or unfurls, and therefore inhibits
escape of gases from the bag, including air, unwanted odors, and
other gases.
[0019] Yet another advantage of the sealing clasp is its ease of
use. For example, use of twist ties has significant limitations
because no standard exists on the number of twists to turn in a
twist tie to secure a bag. The present invention, to the contrary,
requires only a simple, intuitive set of steps to install the
sealing clasp on a bag: engagement, followed by a slight cant or
twist either clockwise or counter-clockwise, a gentle push, and a
twist in the opposite direction. Removing the sealing clasp from a
bag is even easier: a slight turn in either direction, and a gentle
pull. Ease of use is, therefore, a useful advantage of the sealing
clasp.
[0020] Another advantage of the present sealing clasp is that it
inhibits, controls, and reduces unwanted air and gas flow into and
from a bag containing goods.
[0021] Still another advantage of the present invention is that it
prevents the escape of unwanted odors from a bag.
[0022] Another advantage of at least one embodiment of the sealing
clasp of the present invention is the elimination of jaws or
similar cutting edges and points that pierce a twisted portion of a
plastic bag.
[0023] Still another advantage of the present invention is that the
fins of the present invention, in combination with the semicircular
projecting member of the present invention, grip material gathered
and twisted together to form a twist projecting from a bag, thus
forming a more perfect seal without piercing or cutting the
bag.
[0024] Yet another advantage of the present invention is a sealing
clasp, and a method for manufacturing a sealing clasp, that
respectively that are easy to use and to practice, and that are
cost effective for their intended purposes.
[0025] These and other advantages are achieved in part by providing
a sealing clasp that includes a plate formed with an opening
defined by a collar. At least one slot formed in the plate extends
from the collar to an edge of the plate. One or more specially
designed and novel fins is monolithically formed in the collar, and
extend toward the center of the opening in the plate. A fin is
formed with at least one semicircular projecting member. The term
"semicircular projecting member" refers to a smooth substantially
rounded edge of a fin segment that is formed by identifying the
intersection of two edges of a fin; by locating the center of a
circle a distance from the point of intersection of the two edges
and in such a way that the radius of the circle would intersect
each edge at only one point along each edge; by scribing the circle
defined by the radius; by removing from the fin the substantially
triangular extension with a semicircular base adjacent the
semicircular projecting member; and by providing leaving a smooth
rounded segment, referred to as the semicircular projecting member
in this document.
[0026] Similarly, using the principle of design that employs using
segments of circles to soften and blunt the shapes of gripping
elements within the opening of the sealing clasp of the present
invention, restraining notches are formed with substantially
semicircular concave arches as more fully described in this
document.
[0027] An alternate embodiment of a sealing clasp according to the
present invention is formed with at least one semicircular
projecting member and additional structural elements for sealing a
bag containing garbage.
[0028] It will become apparent to one skilled in the art that the
claimed subject matter as a whole, including the structure of the
apparatus, and the cooperation of the elements of the apparatus,
combine to result in a number of unexpected advantages and
utilities. The advantages and objects of the present invention, and
features of such a sealing clasp, will become apparent to those
skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the accompanying
following description, drawing figures, and appended claims.
[0029] The foregoing has outlined broadly the more important
features of the invention to better understand the detailed
description which follows, and to better understand the
contribution of the present invention to the art. Before explaining
at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited in application to the
details of construction, and to the arrangements of the components,
provided in the following description or drawing figures. The
invention is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and
terminology employed in this disclosure are for purpose of
description, and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0030] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the conception
on which this disclosure is based readily may be used as a basis
for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying
out the purposes of the present invention. The claims, therefore,
include such equivalent constructions to the extent the equivalent
constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
present invention. Further, the abstract associated with this
disclosure is neither intended to define the invention, which is
measured by the claims, nor intended to be limiting as to the scope
of the invention in any way.
[0031] The novel features of this invention, and the invention
itself, both as to structure and operation, are best understood
from the accompanying drawing, considered in connection with the
accompanying description of the drawing, in which similar reference
characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0032] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the sealing clasp in an
operative environment;
[0033] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a bag that is open for
insertion of content;
[0034] FIG. 2A is a top view of a sealing clasp;
[0035] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
sealing clasp;
[0036] FIG. 3 is a top view of the sealing clasp showing
diagrammatically the circles used for forming the semicircular
projecting member and the restraining notches;
[0037] FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic presentation of one method for
forming a semicircular projecting member in the sealing clasp;
[0038] FIG. 4B is a diagrammatic presentation of one method for
forming a restraining notch is the sealing clasp;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention;
and
[0040] FIG. 6 is a top view of yet another embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0041] Referring initially to FIG. 1, the sealing clasp is shown
and generally designated 10. In FIG. 1, the sealing clasp 10 is
shown in an operative environment attached to a portion of a bag
12. As used in this document, the term "clasp" includes a fastener,
clip, lock, seal or other device for securing and closing an
opening in a container such as bag 12. The term "bag" includes any
flexible container that may be closed for holding, storing, or
carrying something.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a sealing clasp showing
various circles used in forming the semicircular projecting members
and restraining notches of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 4A is a schematic view showing the design features used
to form a semicircular projecting member;
[0044] FIG. 4B is a schematic view showing the design features used
to form a restraining notch;
[0045] As shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 2A and 2B, sealing
clasp 10 in its broadest sense, includes a plate 14. Plate 14 is
formed with an opening 16. Opening 16 is defined by a collar 18. At
least one slit 20 is formed in plate 14. Slit 20 extends from
collar 18 to an edge 22 of plate 14. One or more specially designed
and novel fins 24 is monolithically formed in collar 18, and extend
substantially toward the center of opening 16 in plate 14. The one
or more fins 24 includes a substantially semicircular projecting
member 26 as perhaps best shown in FIG. 2B. In addition, sealing
clasp 10 includes one or more restraining notches 28. One or more
restraining notches 28 is formed with a substantially semicircular
concave arch 30. In addition, sealing clasp 10 includes two
opposing tapered flanges 32a,b that include a substantially
semicircular projecting member 26 c,d. In another embodiment of the
present invention, sealing clasp 10 includes one or more teeth
34d-f as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0046] More specifically, as shown by cross-reference in FIGS. 2A
and 2B, sealing clasp 10, according to the present invention,
includes at least one fin 24. At least one fin 24 is formed with at
least one semicircular projecting member 26, as shown in FIG. 2B.
As best shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B, the
term "semicircular projecting member" refers to a smooth
substantially rounded fin segment 36a-g, as best shown in FIG. 3,
that is formed as shown in FIG. 4A by identifying the intersection
of what otherwise would be two shoulders 38a,b of fin 36; by
locating the center C.sup.1 of a circle 40 a distance D.sup.1 from
the point of intersection of the extension 42 of two shoulders
38a,b in such a way that radius R.sup.1 of circle 40 would
intersect each of two shoulders 38a,b at only one point 42 along
two shoulders 38a,b; by scribing circle 40 defined by radius
R.sup.1 on plate 14; by removing from fin 24 the substantially
triangular extension 44 with a semicircular base 46 adjacent
semicircular projecting member 26; and by leaving a smooth rounded
segment S.sup.1, also referred to in this document as semicircular
projecting member 26 in this document which is a substantially
semicircular projecting member.
[0047] Similarly, as shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 3 and
4B, using the principle of design that employs using segments of
circles to soften the shapes of gripping elements within opening 16
of sealing clasp 10 of the present invention, a restraining notch
28 is formed with substantially semicircular concave arch 30a,b. As
perhaps best shown in FIG. 4B, any number of variously dimensioned
circles 40a-c may be scribed or positioned over the circumference
of circle 40. A smaller circle 40b may be positioned between
circles 40a,c. Circles 40a-c define substantially semicircular
grooves 48a,b extending into plate 14 through collar 18. In a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more of
semicircular grooves 48a,b may be formed in plate 14 to produce one
or more semicircular concave arches 30a-b in restraining notches
28a,b.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, opposing tapered flanges 32a-b
are integrally formed in plate 14. Each of opposing tapered flanges
32a-b include at least one substantially semicircular projecting
member 26c-d, as best shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 2A and
2B.
[0049] By cross-reference among FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, it will be
apparent that opening 16 of a preferred embodiment of the sealing
clasp of the present invention is shaped substantially like a
tulip. Tests have indicated that the tulip shape is not a
circumstance due to chance, but in at least one application of the
present invention is the preferred shape of opening 16 to
contribute to two capabilities of sealing clasp 10, namely to grip
and secure a portion of bag 12, and to allow easy and fast release
and replacement of sealing clasp 10 on a portion of bag 12,
particularly that portion of bag 12 described subsequently in this
document as twist 66.
[0050] As also shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3, slit 20 in plate 14
extends between collar 18 and outer edge 22 of plate 14. In a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, slit 20 is formed
with opposing walls 52a,b. Opposing walls 52a,b, in a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, are spaced a distance D.sup.2
apart from each other. In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, distance D.sup.2 would be barely noticeable to the human
eye. Slit 20 is formed in plate 14 for removable, slidable, and
twistable engagement of sealing clasp 10 with a portion of bag 12,
as shown in FIG. 1A.
[0051] A nonexclusive example of a plastic bag capable for holding
and storing bread is shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 1A and
1B. As shown, bag 12 is substantially tubular when open and not
filled with contents. The substantially tubular uncompressed bag 12
is shown with a closed end 54, an open end 56, and an
interconnecting sleeve 58 between closed end 54 and open end 56.
When an object such as bread is inserted into bag 12 ("contents")
through open end 56, and lodged adjacent closed end 54 ("filled
portion"), a portion shown in FIG. 1A as distance D.sup.3 of bag 12
remains unfilled ("tubular column"). Being flexible, the filled
portion may be spun on an axis substantially through the center of
the contents of bag 12, causing the tubular column to twist into a
constricted seemingly braided cord 60 as shown in FIG. 1A. Braided
cord 60 has a leading end 62 and a following end 64, and forms a
tail or twist (collectively, "twist" 66) extending from the filled
portion of bag 12. As will be evident to one skilled in the art, if
twist 66 is held twisted as shown, air and other gases could
neither enter bag 12 nor escape from bag 12. But as is equally
evident, bag 12 generally is not held perpetually in that fashion.
If the constricted seemingly braided cord 60 in the form of twist
66 is released, then as will also be evident to one skilled in the
art, air and other gases will enter or depart from bag 12.
[0052] Also, if a conventional sheet clip type of closure is
inserted on twist 66, and conventional typical opposing jaws are
placed in contact with one or more surfaces of the constricted
seemingly braided cord, sharp points or edges of the opposing jaws
formed in the conventional sheet clip type of closure will puncture
or pierce the bag, causing air to enter the bag and to begin the
process of degrading the contents of the bag and, in the case of
the nonexclusive example of baked bread, causing the bread to go
stale. Conversely, the sharp edges and points of conventional jaws
in a clip or sheet clip type of closure will not securely clasp a
bag, such as a garbage bag, and noxious odors will escape from the
bag.
[0053] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown
in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3, when sealing clasp 10 of the present
invention is installed on twist 66 of bag 12, no tear will occur in
the surface of the bag because of semicircular projecting members
26a-c formed in one or more of fins 24a-c of sealing clasp 10.
Further, when twist 66 of bag 12 untwists or unfurls, folds 68a,b
of twist 66 engage the unique and novel design of semicircular
concave arches 30a,b in restraining notches 28a,b formed in collar
18 of opening 16 to securely restrain twist 66 from untwisting or
unfurling. Thus sealing clasp 10 overcomes a significant limitation
of the currently available means for sealing a bag by eliminating
the problem of an unfolding or unfurling twist 66 that produces
folds that are unrestrained by currently available clips. In
addition, because of the combination of the one or more
semicircular projecting members 26a-c, and the one or more
semicircular concave arches 30a,b, sealing clasp 10 may be removed
from twist 66 without causing punctures, incisions or holes in the
bag because all contact surfaces are rounded rather than
knife-edged or pointed. As will be evident to one skilled in the
art, these combination of features contribute to achieving the
objectives and advantages of the present invention.
[0054] As further shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3, opposing tapered
flanges 32a,b terminate in a substantially triangular slot 68.
Substantially triangular slot 68 contributes to the capability of
repeatedly and quickly engaging sealing clasp 10 with twist 66.
Indeed, in operation, the use of sealing clasp 10 is remarkably
simple. Because of the combined configuration of sealing clasp 10,
triangular slot 68, the spaced apart distance D.sup.2 between
opposing walls 52a,b in slit 20, and because the interior ends
70a,b of slit 20 is formed using the principle of shaping the end
of interior ends 70a,b of slit 20 with a semicircular projecting
member 26, sealing clasp 10 glides onto twist 66 not only with
relative ease, but without piercing bag 12. Triangular slot 68 may
be pushed against twist 66. Sealing clasp 10 is then turned in
either a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. Plate 14 of
sealing clasp 10 is shaped to accommodate even the largest fingers
of a user or customer. At the same time, sealing clasp 10 is pushed
onto twist 66, released, and bag 12 is fully sealed or locked. If
twist 66 attempts to unfurl, any folds are caught and restricted by
engagement with semicircular concave arches 30a,b of restraining
notches 28a-b. Likewise, in operation, sealing clasp 10 is easily
removed from twist 66 without causing any damage to bag 12 by
turning sealing clasp 10 slightly in either a clockwise or counter
clockwise direction, and sliding sealing clasp 10 away from twist
66.
[0055] In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown by
cross-reference between FIGS. 5 and 6, sealing clasp 10' is
provided with slit 20' that is formed with opposing walls 52'a,b
substantially in contact with each other. Further, one or more
teeth 34a-f maybe included in opening 16 and extend from collar 18
into opening 16. The mechanical advantages of one or more teeth
34a-f include a greater gripping power for larger bags.
[0056] While the sealing clasp shown in drawing FIGS. 1 through 6
includes three embodiments of the present invention, they are
merely embodiments of the invention, and are not intended to be
exclusive, and are not limitations of the present invention. While
the particular sealing clasp as shown and disclosed in detail in
this instrument is fully capable of obtaining the objects and
providing the advantages stated, this disclosure is merely
illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the
invention, and no limitations are intended in connection with the
details of construction, design or composition other than as
provided and described in the appended claims.
[0057] Claim elements and steps in this document have been numbered
and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding.
The numbering is not intended to, and should not be considered as,
intending to indicate the ordering or sequencing of elements and
steps in the claims.
* * * * *