Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Including readily dissociable fastener having numerous,... – Combined with diverse fastener
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-18
2001-05-01
Garbe, Stephen P. (Department: 3727)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Including readily dissociable fastener having numerous,...
Combined with diverse fastener
C229S125390, C229S125370, C229S148000, C229S125010, C229S125330
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223400
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of sealing devices for containers such as cardboard boxes and, in particular, to a device that is simple to install, provides for repeated opening and closings of the lids of the box, and is inexpensive to manufacture.
2. Description of Related Art
Because containers such as cardboard boxes are inexpensive they are in wide use as storage and shipping containers. When they are used as shipping containers they commonly sealed with tape. Upon opening, the tape must be “ripped off because of its adherence to the lids of the box, and the container is often thereafter discarded. There are many devices available for one time sealing of the box. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,483,175 “Sealing Device” by A. G. G. Guenther discloses a one time metal sealing bracket assembly. The assembly comprises two strips of metal; one attached to each lid half by tangs that perforate the lid and which are thereafter bent over locking the strip in place. One strip includes a slot portion in which the other strip is inserted as the two lids are closed. The sides of the slot are then crimped locking the two strips together. U.S. Pat. No. 1,487,363 “Lock For Cartons” by W. F. Rothermund also discloses a one time use device for securing the lids of cartons. In this case a female bracket in the form of flattened “U” shaped member is secured to one lid by bent over tangs extending through the lid. One leg of the U incorporates a plurality of catches in the form of upward extending tangs. The male portion is attached to the other lid by tangs extending therethrough and bent over. It also includes an end portion having openings or slots. When the lids are brought together closing off the carton, the slotted end portion is inserted into the U such that tangs engage the slots. Once this is accomplished, the only way to open the carton is to rip-off the lock. This, as in the first mentioned example, destroys the lids and may render the box unusable.
However, there are many instances where such containers are continuously in use and repeated access is required. Many such boxes incorporate reusable lid closure devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,602 “Recloseable Container” by R. C. Geschwender, U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,167 “Velcro Fastening Arrangement For Recloseable Carton Flats” by J. D. Fox, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,782 “High Stacking Strength Automatic Corrugated Box” by C. J. Mueller, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,912 “Package With Transferable Reusable Closure Element” by H. Graf all disclose the use of VELCRO™ pads. However, the VELCRO™ pads are just attached to one surface of the lid, thus there is a chance that one of the pads can be pulled off the lip. In addition, to use simple VELCRO™ fastener pads, the lids must overlap, a feature not found in most such containers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,935 “Adhesive Tape Closure” by R. I. Sheehan, Jr. discloses a system wherein tape is used. First and second strips of tape are permanently bonded to each lid of a container such that they overlap the adjacent edges thereof where the two edges of the lid meet. The first (bottom) strip's upper surface and the adhesive on the under side of the second (lower) strip are selected to allow their separation. A cover is releasably bonded over the overlapped portions of the first and second strips. Thus once jointed, the container can be opened by removing the cover and separating the first and second overlapped strips. This system has the disadvantage of requiring a separate cover, which must be handled with great care lest it become stuck to some other surface or object; or worse, contaminated with dirt.
There are numerous other locking systems such as string and button systems where buttons are attached to the outer surfaces of the carton lids and a string is wound back and forth between the buttons. Another approach is to use hook and eyelets. All such fastener assembly approaches require significant installation procedures.
Thus, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a reusable sealing device for a container that is reusable.
It is another primary object of the invention to provide a sealing device for a container wherein the sealing device remains fastened to the lids upon opening of the container.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a sealing device for a container that does not require the container to be customized in any manner.
It is another primary object of the invention to provide a sealing device for a container that has high strength.
It is another primary object of the invention to provide a sealing device for a container that is easy to manufacture.
It is a still another primary object of the invention to provide a sealing device that join sections of flat structures together.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a sealing device primarily for a container, the container having at least two portions that must be secured together to affect closing thereof with the second portion having exterior and interior surfaces and an edge. For example, a container such as a cardboard box, having a bottom and side-walls. Top lid portions are attached to the top of the sidewalls that are movable from an open position to a closed position wherein the edges of the lid portions are in proximity to each other forming a top closure to the container. In this example, the portions to be secured together are two opposing lid portions. A second example is an open box having a cover that fits over the open end and the two portions requiring securing are the over hanging edge of the lid (second portion with an edge) and the sidewalls. A third example is a pouch type container having a foldable flap. Here the two portions that require securing are the flap (second portion with an edge) and the body of the pouch. Further examples include containers having full over-lapping flaps covering the opening thereof and portfolio type containers. In addition, the sealing device can be used to join panels of an enclosure or panels of a display stand together.
In detail, the invention is a sealing device for connecting together at least first and second portions of a container, the second portion having first and second surfaces and an edge therebetween. The sealing device includes a first half of a hook and loop type fastener assembly, the first half having, preferably, an adhesive coating for attaching to the first portion of the container. The device also includes a strip having first and second sections, the first section in the form of a forked end with first and second legs. The first and second legs preferably include an adhesive coating for attaching the legs to the first and second surfaces, respectively, with the edge therebetween of the second portion of the container. Preferably, the strip is made of a flexible material.
A second half of a hook and loop type fastener assembly is mounted on the second section of the strip attachable to the first half of the hook and loop type fastener. In addition, it is desirable that the second half of the hook and loop type fastener assembly has a greater surface area than the first half in order to compensate for any misalignment of the strip with the first half of the hook and loop type fastener assembly.
In addition, in order to protect the adhesive coatings on the legs of the first section of the strip and the first half of the hook and loop type fastener assembly until use is required, a removable protective backing sheet made of non-sticking material is placed over these adhesive coatings.
Thus when the first half of the hook and loop type fastener assembly is attached to the first portion and the legs of the first section of the strip are attached to the first and second surfaces of the second portion with the edge therebetween, the first and second halves of said hook and loop type fastener assembly can be attached to each other securing the two portions of the container together.
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its o
Dachs Louis
Davis Alan R.
Garbe Stephen P.
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