Container with sliding seal

• US 5,002,197 A
• Filed: 06/28/1990
• Issued: 03/26/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sage Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sage Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Ponsi, Lawrence G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcus, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARETTO, VANESSA
• Application Number:
  US07/545,366
• Time in Patent Office: 271 Days
• Field of Search: 220/254, 220/255, 220/256, 220/259, 220/263, 220/339, 220/344, 220/356, 220/357, 220/361
• US Class Current: 220/255
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/161 comprising two or more cover sections hinged one to another

Abstract

A sliding seal for the closure of a container. The closure is of the type having a portion fixed to the container and a portion hingedly secured thereto for permitting access to the interior of the container. The seal has a first segment secured to the fixed portion of the closure and a second segment extending from the first and slidably connected to the pivotal portion of the closure by means of a post secured to the pivotal portion and extending through a slot formed in the second segment. The post is capped by a washer or the like to retain the second seal segment about the post. The seal is otherwise unattached to the pivotal portion of the closure, and therefore slides relative to the pivotal portion to prevent stretching of the seal as the closure is opened.

Claims

1. A seal for a closure for a container, the closure having a fixed portion attached to the container and a pivotal portion hingedly associated with the fixed portion for permitting access to the interior of the container, the seal comprising

a. a first seal segment secured to said fixed portion and sandwiched between said fixed portion and said container to form a seal therebetween;

b. a second seal segment extending from said first seal segment, and

c. means movably coupling said second seal segment to said pivotal portion such that said second seal segment may shift relative to said pivotal portion as said pivotal portion is pivoted in order to prevent stretching of said second seal segment.

2. A seal according to claim 1 in which seal segments are integral.

3. A seal according to claim 1 in which said pivotal portion is secured to said fixed portion by a living hinge.

4. A seal according to claim 1 in which said first seal segment is adhesively secured to said fixed portion.

5. A seal according to claim 1 in which said means movably coupling comprises a longitudinal slot in said second seal segment, and a post attached to said pivotal portion and extending through said slot, and including means to retain said second seal segment about said post.

6. A seal according to claim 5 in which said means to retain comprises a washer affixed to said post, said washer having a diameter greater than the width of said slot.

7. A seal according to claim 6 in which said second seal segment is substantially coextensive with said pivotal portion.

8. A seal according to claim 1 in which said second seal segment is substantially coextensive with said pivotal portion.

9. A seal according to claim 1 in which said seal comprises a flexible, closed cell foam.

10. A flexible seal for a closure for a container, the closure having fixed portion attached to the container and a pivotal portion hingedly secured to the fixed portion, the seal comprising

a. a first seal segment secured to said fixed portion and sandwiched between said fixed portion and said container to form a seal therebetween.

b. a second seal segment integral to said first seal segment and extending therefrom,

c. means movably coupling said second seal segment to said pivotal portion such that said second seal segment may shift relative to said pivotal portion as said pivotal portion is pivoted in order to prevent stetching of said second seal segment.

11. A seal according to claim 10 in which said pivotal portion is secured to said fixed portion by a living hinge.

12. A seal according to claim 10 in which said means movably coupling comprises a longitudinal slot in said second seal segment, and a post attached to said pivotal portion and extending through said slot, and including means to retain said second seal segment about said post.

13. A seal according to claim 12 in which said means to retain comprises a washer affixed to said post, said washer having a diameter greater than the width of said slot.

14. A seal according to claim 13 in which said second seal segment is substantially coextensive with said pivotal portion.