Resealable container with magnetic closure system

• US 20030132276A1
• Filed: 01/15/2002
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pixelle Specialty Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Westvaco Corporation (Meadwestvaco Corporation)
• Inventors: Metzler, Steven Paul, Stanton, Mark Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 6,749,551 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 229/125.37
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2313/04 of magnetic type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/721 consisting of mobile elements forming part of the containers or attached to the containers

Abstract

A container body with a container opening and a flap partially secured to the container body and completely covering the container opening is disclosed. The flap is secured to the container by a hinge or fold line and formed from the same substrate as the container body. The container body contains a first magnetic region adjacent to and surrounding the perimeter of the container opening. The flap contains a second magnetic region aligned with and opposite the container body'"'"'s first magnetic region. The first and second magnetic regions are magnetically attracted to each other. The flap is held in a closed position by magnetic attraction between the flap'"'"'s magnetic region and the container body'"'"'s magnetic region.

Claims

1. A container blank comprising:

a plurality of fold lines;

at least one aperture;

at least one flap aligned with a larger than said aperture;

a first magnetic region secured around the perimeter of and adjacent to said at least one aperture;

and a second magnetic region secured around the perimeter of said flap and opposite said first magnetic region, wherein said second magnetic region is aligned with and has a magnetic attraction to said first magnetic region.

2. A container comprising:

a body a top section, and a bottom section, wherein said container at least one aperture;

wherein a first magnetic region is secured to said container adjacent to the perimeter of said at least one aperture; and

at least one flap secured to said container and covering said at least one aperture wherein the perimeter of said at least one flap has a second magnetic region opposite said first magnetic region wherein said second magnetic region is aligned with and has a magnetic attraction to said first magnetic region.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the interior of said container body and said flap has a polymeric coating.

4. A method of forming a container blank comprising:

providing a substrate;

forming folding lines on said substrate;

forming cut lines on said substrate;

forming an aperture in said substrate;

forming at least one flap aligned with a larger than said aperture;

forming a first magnetic region around the perimeter of and adjacent to said at least one aperture; and

forming a second magnetic region around the perimeter of said flap and opposite said first magnetic region, wherein said second magnetic region is aligned with and has a magnetic attraction to said first magnetic region.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said first and second magnetic regions are formed by securing a magnetic gaskets to the blank.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said first and second magnetic regions are formed by securing ink containing magnetic particles to the blank.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said ferrite regions formed by priting said ferrite ink are consolidated by passing the printed substrate through one or more nips formed between hard rolls covered with a release coating, when said ferrite ink is in a semi-cured, plastic state.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said hard rolls are constructed from a ferromagnetic material and are provided with electromagnetic coils to create a strong magnetic field oriented normal to the plane of said printed substrated so as to induce a degree of magnetic anisotropy within said printed ferrite layer, thus enhancing its magnetic properities.

9. A method of forming a container comprising:

providing a substrate;

forming folding lines on said substrate;

forming cut lines on said substrate;

forming an aperture in said substrate;

forming at least one flap aligned with a larger than said aperture;

forming a first magnetic region around the perimeter of and adjacent to said at least one aperture;

forming a second magnetic region around the perimeter of said flap and opposite said first magnetic region, wherein said second magnetic region is aligned with and has a magnetic attraction to said first magnetic region;

folding and securing said substrate along said fold lines to form a container with top, main, and bottom section; and

polarizing said first magnetic region with a magnetic pole;

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said second magnetic region is polarized with an opposite magnetic pole to said first magnetic region.