U.S. patent application number 13/886638 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-19 for self sealing waterproof bag.
The applicant listed for this patent is MATTHEW MARK LYTLE. Invention is credited to MATTHEW MARK LYTLE.
Application Number | 20130243354 13/886638 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49157727 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130243354 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LYTLE; MATTHEW MARK |
September 19, 2013 |
SELF SEALING WATERPROOF BAG
Abstract
A waterproof self sealing container sealed by magnet to magnet
contact, making the container airtight and water resistant. The
water resistant container has a body made of flexible water
resistant material. The body is formed as a sheet. An opening is
formed at an end of the body. The body opening has a body opening
first side and a body opening second side. A first magnet strip is
bonded to the body opening first side. A first bonding layer bonds
to the body. The first magnet strip is bonded to the first bonding
layer and wherein the first bonding layer is bonded to the body
opening first side. A second magnet strip is bonded to the body
opening second side. A flap magnet contact area is formed where the
first magnet strip and the second magnet strip are free from the
sidewalls of the body.
Inventors: |
LYTLE; MATTHEW MARK;
(Huntington Beach, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LYTLE; MATTHEW MARK |
Huntington Beach |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49157727 |
Appl. No.: |
13/886638 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13278828 |
Oct 21, 2011 |
|
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13886638 |
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61458446 |
Nov 23, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/59 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/24 20130101;
A45C 13/008 20130101; A45F 3/04 20130101; A45C 3/001 20130101; A45C
3/00 20130101; A45C 13/1069 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/59 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/24 20060101
B65D033/24 |
Claims
1. A water resistant container comprising: a. a body made of
flexible water resistant material, wherein the body is formed of a
sheet material that comprises sidewalls of the body; b. an opening
formed at an end of the body, wherein the body opening has a body
opening first side and a body opening second side; c. a first
magnet strip bonded to the body opening first side; d. a second
magnet strip bonded to the body opening second side; e. a water
resistant seal formed between the first magnet strip and the second
magnet strip when the first magnet strip is closed to the second
magnet strip to close the opening formed at the end of the body,
wherein at a magnet side opposing the water resistant seal, the
first magnet strip is bonded to the body opening first side and the
second magnet strip is bonded to the body opening second side; and
f. a flap magnet contact area where the first magnet strip and the
second magnet strip contact each other, but at least either the
first magnet strip or the second magnet strip is free from the
sidewalls of the body at the flap magnet contact area not being
bonded to the sidewalls of the body, wherein the flap magnet
contact area is adjacent to the water resistant seal area.
2. The water resistant container of claim 1, further comprising: a
left edge seal and the right edge seal, wherein the left edge seal
seals stitching holes on the left edge and wherein the right edge
seal seals stitching holes on the right edge, wherein the left edge
seal is heat laminated to the left edge, wherein the right edge
seal is heat laminated to the right edge.
3. The water resistant container of claim 1, further comprising: a
fold edge formed by a fold of the water resistant material to form
the fold edge of the body.
4. The water resistant container of claim 3, further comprising: a
double fold formed in body material such that the first magnet
strip and second magnet strip defines a folding region that is
folded twice over the water resistant seal, wherein the double fold
is secured to the body by a locking means.
5. The water resistant container of claim 1, wherein the first
magnet strip and the second magnet strip have linearly oriented
magnetized channels disposed within plastic resin, wherein the
plastic resin has lower magnetic properties than the linearly
oriented magnetic channels.
6. The water resistant container of claim 1, further comprising: a
first left magnet bevel formed at a left side of the first magnet
strip; a first right magnet bevel formed at a right side of the
first magnet strip; a second left magnet bevel formed at a left
side of the second magnet strip; a second right magnet bevel formed
at a right side of the second magnet strip.
7. The water resistant container of claim 6, further comprising: a
first left magnet bevel tip formed at a left side of the first
magnet strip; a first right magnet bevel tip formed at a right side
of the first magnet strip; a second left magnet bevel tip formed at
a left side of the second magnet strip; a second right magnet bevel
tip formed at a right side of the second magnet strip.
8. The water resistant container of claim 7, further comprising: a
left edge seal and the right edge seal, wherein the left edge seal
seals stitching holes on the left edge and wherein the right edge
seal seals stitching holes on the right edge, wherein the left edge
seal is heat laminated to the left edge, wherein the right edge
seal is heat laminated to the right edge.
9. The water resistant container of claim 7, further comprising: a
fold edge formed by a fold of the water resistant material to form
the fold edge of the body.
10. The water resistant container of claim 9, further comprising: a
double fold formed in body material such that the first magnet
strip and second magnet strip defines a folding region that is
folded twice over the water resistant seal, wherein the double fold
is secured to the body by a locking means.
11. The water resistant container of claim 7, wherein the first
magnet strip and the second magnet strip have linearly oriented
magnetized channels disposed within plastic resin, wherein the
plastic resin has lower magnetic properties than the linearly
oriented magnetic channels.
12. The water resistant container of claim 1, further comprising: a
middle magnet connection which is where the sidewalls of the body
connect to a middle portion of the magnet strips.
13. The water resistant container of claim 12, wherein the first
magnet strip and the second magnet strip are made of the same
material.
14. The water resistant container of claim 12, wherein the first
magnet strip and the second magnet strip are made of different
material, wherein the second magnet strip is a ferromagnetic
material that has attraction to the first magnet strip.
15. The water resistant container of claim 14, wherein the second
magnet strip is a metal leaf spring.
Description
[0001] The present invention is a continuation in part of U.S.
non-provisional utility patent application Ser. No. 13/278,828
filed Oct. 21, 2011 entitled Self Sealing Waterproof Bag, by
inventor Matthew Mark Lytle, which in turn claims continuation in
part priority from provisional application 61/458,446 filed Nov.
23, 2010 by inventor Matthew Mark Lytle, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates in general to a self-sealing
container.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0003] An early waterproof bag was invented in 1912 by William J.
Graham. In U.S. Pat. No. 1,038,351, issued on Sep. 1, 1912,
Graham's waterproof bag comprises of hinged yokes and hinged frames
that form a water tight joint.
[0004] Hibbard in U.S. Pat. No. 4,213,549 published Jul. 22, 1980
describes a waterproof storage bag and backpack that includes a
harness and harness mounting grommets. The grommets permit the
harness to cradle the bag and load items therein to enhance the top
closure seal and to permit the bag to be opened without removal of
the harness.
[0005] Masters in U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,150 published Dec. 20, 1983
describes a bag having a waterproof enclosure contained with an
outer case having a cover flap, which fastens over a closure by a
yieldable fastener to seal an article within the enclosure in a
generally airtight waterproof environment. A safety fastener
maintains the closure.
[0006] Gunzi, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,683 published Aug. 25,
1998 describes a bag with an access opening made up of a pair of
edges and a closure for closing the access opening. "The closure
comprises a first bar secured to one edge and a second bar
releasably connectable to the first with the edges clamped together
to close the opening."
[0007] Townsend in U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,959 published in Sep. 5,
2000 describes a waterproof carrying bag and backpack for carrying
items, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The Townsend waterproof bag is described to include an outer case
having top and bottom panels, a pair of side panels, a back panel
and an open front. The outer case has top and bottom flaps that
substantially cover the open front of the outer case. A waterproof
inner pouch is provided in the outercase and is also detachably
attached to the back panel of the outer case.
[0008] Kennedy in U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,392 B1 published Aug. 20,
2002 describes a lightweight waterproof pouch comprising an outer
enclosure formed of flexible material, a removable and resealable
waterproof and watertight inner pouch liner for insertion into the
outer enclosure, and a strap attached to the outer enclosure.
[0009] Revels in US 2006/0072857 A1 published Apr. 6, 2006
describes a waterproof carrying case using a dielectric welding.
The main body of the bag comprises an interlocking closure member
fused in the open top and sealed against the main body by a pair of
end sleeves positioned over a corner of the main body and the
closure member. There is a pair of opening loop handles secured to
the main body adjacent the closure member. Revels discussed
shortcomings of prior art where moisture can seep through the line
of closure through zippers.
[0010] Sakai in U.S. 2007/0261977 A1 published Nov. 15, 2007
describes a waterproof container that includes "an outer shell
having a lid and a bottom portion connected by a zipper, an inner
liner secured to and positioned within the outer shell, and a gap
defined between the outer shell and the inner liner." The container
has a drainage hole in the bottom portion that communicates the gap
with the exterior of the container, allowing water entering through
the zipper to fall through the gap and exit through the drainage
hole.
[0011] Kirby in US 2009/0208146 A1 published Aug. 20, 2009
describes an impermeable bag with a sealing mechanism that prevents
water from entering the bag and has a sealing mechanism for
convenient opening and closing of the bag. The bag includes a first
sidewall, a second sidewall, a flexible interlocking member and a
flexible interposing member. The first sidewall comprises a first
inner surface and a first outer surface. The second sidewall
comprises a second inner surface and a second outer surface.
Pressure applied to the first outer surface and the second outer
surface inserts the flexible interposing member in to the flexible
interlocking member for sealing the opening.
[0012] Fujimura, in Japanese patent publication number JP5056809
published Mar. 9, 1993 in the Japanese patent office entitled
Opening And Closing Device Using Magnet In Waterproof Bag, provides
for magnets folded inside folds of a waterproof bag to facilitate
in closing the bag, the disclosure which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0013] There is a need for a container product that is
self-sealing, simple and convenient to use. The prior art may have
water resistant qualities, but are not self-sealing, and require
human intervention to form the enclosures on the bags. Many of the
prior art use seals such as "zip-lock" type seal, multiple roll and
clip seal, clamp seal, and waterproof zipper.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It is an object of the invention to self seal the opening of
containers with flexible magnetic strips. A preferred embodiment of
the present invention is a container that is water resistant and
airtight. The use of magnet-to-magnet contact to self seal
containers simplifies the process of sealing the opening of the
container because the convergence of the magnets may provide an air
and/or water tight seal. This present invention uses a magnet
convergence that automatically, quickly and efficiently seals a
container when an individual is around water to provide a
water-resistant and airtight bag that protects valuables free from
water damage. The magnet-to-magnet seal can be applied in any size
and variety of different shaped containers.
[0015] A waterproof self sealing container sealed by magnet to
magnet contact, making the container airtight and water resistant.
The water resistant container has a body made of flexible water
resistant material. The body is formed as a sheet. An opening is
formed at an end of the body. The body opening has a body opening
first side and a body opening second side. A first magnet strip is
bonded to the body opening first side. A first bonding layer bonds
to the body. The first magnet strip is bonded to the first bonding
layer and wherein the first bonding layer is bonded to the body
opening first side. A second magnet strip is bonded to the body
opening second side. A second bonding layer is bonded to the body.
The second magnet strip is bonded to the second bonding layer and
the second bonding layer is bonded to the body opening second side.
A water resistant seal is formed between the first magnet strip and
the second magnet strip when the first magnet strip is closed to
the second magnet strip to close the opening formed at the end of
the body.
[0016] A double fold is formed in body material such that the first
magnet strip and second magnet strip defines a folding region that
is folded twice over the water resistant seal. The double fold is
secured to the body by a locking means. An upper carry strap is
connected to the body at an upper strap connection and a lower
carry strap is connected to the body and a lower strap connection.
The upper connection is higher than the lower connection. A left
edge seal and the right edge seal are formed on the body. The left
edge seal seals stitching holes on the left edge and the right edge
seal seals stitching holes on the right edge, so that the left edge
seal is heat laminated to the left edge, and so that the right edge
seal is heat laminated to the right edge. A fold edge is formed by
a fold of the water resistant material to form the fold edge of the
body.
[0017] The first magnet strip and the second magnet strip have
linearly oriented magnetized channels disposed within plastic
resin. The plastic resin has lower magnetic properties than the
linearly oriented magnetic channels.
[0018] A flap magnet contact area is located where the first magnet
strip and the second magnet strip contact each other, but the flap
outside surface is free from the sidewalls of the body and are not
glued, laminated or bonded to the sidewalls of the body. The flap
magnet contact area is adjacent to the water resistant seal
area.
[0019] The water resistant container optionally has: a first left
magnet bevel formed at a left side of the first magnet strip; a
first right magnet bevel formed at a right side of the first magnet
strip; a second left magnet bevel formed at a left side of the
second magnet strip; and a second right magnet bevel formed at a
right side of the second magnet strip. The water resistant
container also has a first left magnet bevel tip formed at a left
side of the first magnet strip; a first right magnet bevel tip
formed at a right side of the first magnet strip; a second left
magnet bevel tip formed at a left side of the second magnet strip;
and a second right magnet bevel tip formed at a right side of the
second magnet strip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is the frontal view of the self-sealing bag.
[0021] FIG. 2 is the back view of the self-sealing bag with the
magnet strip at the opening and two straps used for carrying the
bag.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a front view of the self-sealing bag with a hook
and loop strip.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross-section diagram of the layers of the self
sealing bag, not drawn to scale.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a diagram of the template of the sheet used for
making the self sealing bag.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the self sealing bag
without supplemental hook and loop tape closures.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a side cross-section showing the flap magnet
contact area and fluid pocket.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a top cross-section exploded view diagram showing
assembly of the bag opening.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a top cross-section diagram of the assembled bag
opening.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a front view diagram showing the assembly
template of bag opening.
[0030] The following call out list of elements can be used for
referencing the call out numbers of the drawings. [0031] 21 Side
Fringe [0032] 22 Seal Strip [0033] 23 Gap [0034] 24 Body [0035] 25
Fold Edge [0036] 26 Opening Edge [0037] 27 Bias Member [0038] 31
First Hook Or Loop Strip [0039] 32 Opening Fringe [0040] 33 Second
Hook Or Loop Strip [0041] 41 Upper Strap Connection [0042] 42 Upper
Strap [0043] 43 Strap Linkage [0044] 44 Lower Strap [0045] 45 Lower
Strap Connection [0046] 51 Outside Magnet Contact Edge [0047] 52
Middle Magnet Connection [0048] 53 Flap Magnet Contact Area [0049]
54 Inside Magnet Contact Edge [0050] 55 Fluid Pocket [0051] 88 Fold
Line [0052] 131 Magnet Strip [0053] 132 Bonding Layer Of Glue Or
Melt Plastic [0054] 133 Side Walls Of The Body [0055] 134 Graphic
Printing Layer [0056] 135 Magnet Contact Area [0057] 136 Plastic
Resin [0058] 137 Magnetized Channel [0059] 138 Magnet Bevel [0060]
139 Magnet Tip
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0061] The self sealing container has one or more openings using
magnet to magnet contact, preferably making the container
water-resistant and airtight. The specialized magnet to magnet seal
may be used in, for example, but not limited to, bags, backpacks,
pockets, duffle bags, soft coolers and handbags. More specifically,
this invention relates to sealing containers without human
intervention and using only flexible magnet-to-magnet contact. When
left hands-free, the magnet to magnet contact and bias rods pops
the opening closed.
[0062] The present invention is constructed on a sheet of
waterproof fabric using a length of fabric and folded so as to have
a fold line 88 to form a fold edge 25 at a bottom of the bag. The
sides of the bag are stitched with thread and a strip of seal 22
material is laminated over the stitching holes on the inside of the
bag. The seal strip 22 is heat laminated and pressed against the
stitching holes on the inside of the bag. The seal strip 22 is
reinforced by a side fringe 21 which runs along the length of the
left and right side of the bag.
[0063] The hook and loop panels are sewn to the bag and all the
stitching has a vinyl tape heat pressed against the stitching holes
on the inside of the bag. The hook and loop panels are disposed to
engage with each other. A gap 23 can be formed between the opening
fringe 32 and the side seal strip 22 when the bag is open, but the
gap closes to be watertight when the bag is closed. The 23 is
preferably minimized.
[0064] The body 24 of the bag can be a polyester or nylon fabric
material that has been treated with a waterproof coating or is
inherently waterproof. The body 24 of the bag is preferably
rectangular, but can be made in other shapes such as round or
triangular. The body of the bag receives a pair of seal strips 22,
namely a left seal strip in the right seal strip. The seal strips
seal the left and right bag edges. The opening edge 26 receives a
pair of opening fringes 32 to reinforce the opening edge.
[0065] A first hook or loop strip 31 connects to a second hook or
loop strip 33 when the bag opening edge 26 is folded in a roll
configuration so that the first hook or loop strip 31 engages with
the second hook or loop strip 33. The first hook or loop strip 31
in conjunction with the second hook or loop strip 33 forms a hook
and loop tape connection that is removable by a user. Instead of a
hook and loop tape connection, clasps and magnets can also be used
for maintaining a folded roll configuration of the opening edge 26
and of the pair of opening fringes 32.
[0066] The preferred embodiment includes a double fold formed in
the body materials such that the pair of magnet strips defines a
folding region of the magnet to magnet contact that is folded over
the body and locked by a locking means. The locking means can be a
locking mechanism such as hook and loop material, snaps, clasp, or
zipper thereby providing strength to the magnet to magnet water
resistant seal. When the fold region is folded, the first fold is
located underneath the magnet strips and the second fold is located
above the second hook or loop tape area. The second hook or loop
tape area connects with the first hook or loop tape area. The first
hook or loop tape area can be generally along the outside of the
body overlying the first magnet strip. Therefore, the first closing
seal is the magnet to magnet connection. The second closing seal is
the first fold and second fold with the secondary connection
locking means. The first fold and second fold form a double fold
that can look like a rolled edge. The distance between the first
magnet and the second hook or loop tape area would be approximately
the width of the first magnet and the second magnet. The width of
the first magnet and the second magnet should be generally
equivalent. The secondary connection locking means is configured to
increase orientation retention to provide increased torsion and
twist resistance.
[0067] Connected to the body of the bag are straps. An upper strap
connection 41 having a watertight seal of stitching holes holds an
upper strap 42. The upper strap 42 connects to an end of a strap
linkage 43. The other end of the strap linkage 43 can be a second
strap 44 acting as a lower strap 44. The lower strap 44 is secured
to an edge of the body 24 at a side fringe 21 where a lower strap
connection 45 connects the lower strap 44 to the body. The
stitching holes of the second strap connection or the lower strap
connection 45 provides for waterproof connection.
[0068] On the inside of the body of the bag are a pair of magnets
formed as magnet strips 131, FIG. 4. The magnet strips 131 provide
direct connection to each other at a magnet contact area 135. The
magnet contact area 135 is waterproof but may have small air gaps
trapped between magnetized channels 137. The magnet strips 131
preferably have magnetized channels 137 extending along the length
of the magnetic strips 131. The magnetized channels are aligned
between the upper magnet strip and the lower magnet strip. The
magnetized channels 137 are held in the magnetic strip by plastic
resin 136 or are more magnetized areas of the magnetic strip. The
plastic resin of the upper magnetic strip is pressed against the
plastic resin of the lower magnetic strip. The plastic resin 136
has a lower concentration of magnetic material and the magnetized
channels 137 have a higher concentration of magnetic material and
therefore have higher magnetic properties. The magnetic channels
attract to each other and maintain parallel orientation between the
first magnet strip and the second magnet strip. The cooperative
alignment of the magnetic channels is configured to increase
orientation retention to provide increased torsion and twist
resistance. The magnetic channels 137 align to each other and
provide multiple seal contracts in linear orientation long the
length of the magnet strip 131. The magnetic channels 137 do not
necessarily have a round cross-section, but could also have a
rectangular or other shaped cross section. The magnetic channels
are strip magnets held to or encapsulated in the plastic resin 136
such that they are maintained parallel to each other.
[0069] The pair of magnetic strips 131 are bonded respectively to
the pair of upper and lower inside surfaces of the side walls of
the body 133. The magnetic strips can be bonded by a bonding layer
132 of glue or thermal activated melt plastic. The magnetic strips
are preferably bonded by a bonding layer of contact adhesive, or by
glue or thermally activated melt plastic. The pair of bonding
layers bonds the magnet strips to the body in a watertight fashion.
The bonding layer 132 can be provided by a seal strip 22 which can
be thermally adhesive or room temperature adhesively bonded.
[0070] Additionally, a graphic printing layer 134 can be imprinted
over an outside surface of the side walls of the body 133. The
graphic print layer may have instructions, text, graphics or
designs.
[0071] During construction, waterproof material of the body is cut
to a desired size. Then, straps, bias, and hook and loop material
are sewn to the body. After sewing, vinyl tape is heat pressed over
stitching to seal the holes. One of the magnetic strips can be
adhered over the top hook and loop stitch holes to seal the stitch
holes formed by the hook or loop tape strip. The adhering of the
magnetic strip over the hook and loop tape stitch holes also holds
the magnetic strip to the body and at the same time seals the hook
and loop tape stitch holes.
[0072] Adhesive can be applied to the magnet strip and the
waterproof material is folded in half. The sides of the waterproof
material can be heat pressed to seal the sides and corners of the
bag. The waterproof material may come with a layer of seal strip on
the inside surface of the waterproof material. After the bag is
folded in half and joined, the bag is trimmed and bias is sewn to
the sides to give a finished look. During use, the magnet strips
close the opening of the bag giving an airtight or watertight seal.
The top of the bag includes the opening edge 26 and can be folded
twice until the first hook or loop strip 31 connects to the second
hook or loop strip 33 four increasing the strength of the seal.
Once the completed bag is closed, it can hold air or water inside.
The bag can also hold dry articles inside for keeping the article
dry.
[0073] It is possible for the seal strip and the plastic bonding
layer to be made of a solid heat activated adhesive resin which
could be a layer of polypropylene film that is thinner than the
magnetic strip and thinner than the side walls of the body 133. The
seal strip and the plastic bonding layer can be made of an
intermediate polymer film layer of ethylene based octene plastomer.
This polyolefin film may comprise a polyethylene, a polypropylene
polymer or a blend of polyethylene with about 1 to 10% ethylene
vinyl acetate. The bonding layer can be made as a plastomer film
layer. Stitching holes of the upper strap connection can be sealed
with a heat laminated sealing layer, and stitching holes of the
lower strap connection can also be sealed with a heat laminated
sealing layer.
[0074] As seen in FIG. 6, the present invention can optionally be
made without a hook and loop strip connection. As seen in FIG. 7,
the magnet strips 131 have a magnet contact area 135 that can
extend downward as a loose flap that is not laminated to side walls
of the body 133. Optionally, the flap can be connected to one side
wall but not the other. At least either the first magnet strip or
the second magnet strip is free from the sidewalls of the body not
being bonded to the sidewalls of the body at the flap area. This
means that one of the first magnet strip or the second magnet strip
can be attached entirely to the sidewalls of the body being bonded
to the sidewalls of the body at the flap area.
[0075] The flap magnet connection configuration has an outside
magnet contact edge 51 that closes the outside edge. The flap
magnet connection configuration also has a middle magnet connection
52 which is where the side walls of the body 133 connect to a
middle portion of the magnet strips 131. The middle magnet
connection 52 is between the inside magnet contact edge 54 and
outside magnet contact edge 51. The inside magnet contact edge 54
is a terminal edge of a flap magnet contact area 53. The flap
magnet contact area 53 is bounded between the middle magnet
connection 52 and the inside magnet contact edge 54. The flap
magnet contact area 53 and the side walls of the body 133 can hold
a fluid pocket 55 between the flap magnet contact area 53 and the
side walls of the body 133. The fluid pocket 55 can be filled with
a liquid or gas such as air or water. The fluid pocket can also be
empty.
[0076] When the bag is submerged, fluid pushing against the fluid
pocket 55 also pushes against the flap magnet contact area 53 to
keep the flap magnet contact area 53 closed. Without the flap
magnet contact area 53, the bag would burst open at the connection
between the side walls of the body 133 and the magnet strips 131.
However, the flap magnet contact area 53 more evenly distributes
pressure to maintain the bag in a closed position. During testing,
the bag bursts at the side seal strip 22 before bursting at the
flap magnet contact area 53. The fluid pocket being described is
the area between the side walls of the body 133 and the magnet
strips 131. The magnet strips 131 would have magnet channels 136
which are parallel to the outside magnet contact edge 51, which are
parallel to the magnet strips 131 and which are parallel to the
inside magnet contact edge 54. The magnet strips 131 maintain
magnet strip alignment during fluid pocket pressurization such as
when traveling underwater.
[0077] A bias member 27 can be a leaf spring that can snap the bag
shut when the bag is open. The bias member 27 can be formed as a
rod or stick and passed through a sleeve formed in the opening
fringe 32. The opening fringe 32 can be a strip of fabric that is
folded along the length of the body and the bias member 27 can be
placed in the fold that forms a sleeve. The bias member can be
sewed shut and enclosed within the sleeve fold. The bias member can
be formed of carbon fiber to resist saltwater corrosion, or can be
made of spring steel or fiberglass. The bias member can also be
made of plastic in a more potentially inexpensive embodiment. The
opening fringe 32 can be a heavy fabric that is plastic based and
has slight resistance to bending to form the fabric fold also
called the sleeve fold. The sleeve fold retains the bias member.
The bias member can have a round cross section and be formed as a
slender flexible rod. The bias member can be removable if the
sleeve fold is open at a left or right edge. The bias member does
not necessarily touch the magnet, but could be formed to bias on
the outside of the magnet.
[0078] As seen in FIG. 8, the present invention can be constructed
by using seal strips 22 for connecting the side walls of the body
133. The seal strips can be heat tape or adhesive strips, such as
double-sided adhesive strips. The seal strips are preferably
airtight and watertight. The seal strips can be purchased on a roll
of plastic strip or made by thermal heat lamination of plastic
members such as the side walls of the body directly onto the
magnet. The seal strips can be formed when abutting plastic members
are heated, such as by sonic welding and a melted interface can
form the seal strips if the magnet matrix material is compatible
with the side walls of the body. When adhesive tape materials are
not independently purchased, and the melted interface is the seal
strip, the bond may be weaker. It may be preferable to have thermal
heat lamination of plastic members together as well as using seal
strips. The best closure construction is dependent upon the
materials involved.
[0079] FIG. 8 shows that the magnets are beveled such as by cutting
and grinding the magnet edge. The magnet bevel 138 terminates at a
magnet tip 139. The thickness of the members are not to scale and
are exaggerated for clarity. A suggested order of construction
would be to first bevel the left edge and the right edge of the
magnet to have a tip at a left side and at a right side. Seal
strips 22 can be placed on the magnet outside surface parallel to
the length of the magnet while maintaining a magnet to magnet
contact on a magnet inside surface. The side adhesive strips can be
seal strips 22 and seal the left and right side against the side
walls of the body. Once completely laid out, a thermal press can be
used for finalizing the seal. The resulting structure is waterproof
and can also be made airtight. The assembled cross-section view is
shown in FIG. 9 as having a beveled profile. The assembled
structure may have fringes on the left and right side that can be
trimmed and finished with a serger or have edge trim covering. FIG.
10 shows the preferred front view of the assembly with the
horizontal adhesive strip as seal strip 22 covering the top half of
the magnet 131 and having side vertical adhesive strips as seal
strip 22 covering the left and right edges of the horizontal
adhesive strip and the magnet strip. It is preferred that
approximately half of the magnet is covered, although different
ratios can also be workable such as one third or one fourth
coverage of the magnet.
[0080] Although it is preferred that the first magnet strip and the
second magnet strip are made of the same material and same
construction, it is possible to make the second magnet strip of a
different material. The second magnet strip can be a ferromagnetic
material such as iron that has attraction to the first magnet strip
which is a permanent magnet. The second magnet strip has magnetic
properties attracting to the first magnet strip upon touching the
first magnet strip. The second magnet strip can be a metal such as
a steel leaf spring.
[0081] The flap magnet contact area is free and can be connected to
the bag sidewalls at a left and right side edge, or the flap magnet
contact area can be unconnected to the bag sidewalls at a left and
right side edge. The flap magnet contact area is free at an inside
edge and is free along the outside surface of the first magnet
strip and along the outside surface of the second magnet strip.
* * * * *