Reclosable elastomeric fastener

Abstract

A reclosable elastomeric fastener and method for sealing storage and serving containers using same. The fastener consists of two complementary elastomeric profiles, having male and female interlocking elements, which extend around the periphery of the lid and container components of a storage receptacle. The reclosable fastener forms a water-resistant seal when the male and female elements of the complementary profiles are mutually occluded.

Claims

1. A reclosable elastomeric fastener for sealing storage and serving containers comprising: (a) at least two interlocking shaped profiles, each having a serrated lateral groove along with corresponding male and female elements; (b) wherein each interlocking profile engages and independently conforms to a circumferential rim of a lid, or to the peripheral edge of a container; (c) wherein each interlocking profile is formed from at least two elastomeric polymers having dissimilar shore durometers and the male element of the interlocking profile has a dissimilar shore durometer in comparison to the female element and (d) whereby the male and female elements form a water-resistant seal when mutually occluded.

2. The reclosable elastomeric fastener of claim 1, wherein each interlocking profile is formed from an elastomeric polymer selected from the group consisting of Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene, Ethylene Polypropylene Rubber, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, Isobutylene Isoprene Rubber, and Siloxane compounds.

3. The reclosable elastomeric fastener of claim 1, wherein the interlocking profile further includes a male element having two horizontally oriented ribbed protrusions that coincide with two lateral notches inscribed within the female element.

4. The reclosable elastomeric fastener of claim 1, wherein each interlocking profile has an extending flange having an arrangement of knurl lines for grasping the reclosable fastener.

5. The reclosable elastomeric fastener of claim 1, wherein each interlocking profile is molded from an elastomeric polymer to form a continuous ring.

6. The reclosable elastomeric fastener of claim 1, wherein each interlocking profile is extruded to form a discontinuous strip.

7. A reclosable elastomeric fastener for sealing storage and serving containers comprising: (a) at least two interlocking shaped profiles, each having a serrated lateral groove along with corresponding male and female elements; (b) wherein each interlocking profile engages and independently conforms to a circumferential rim of a lid, or to the peripheral edge of a container; (c) wherein each interlocking profile is formed from one elastomeric polymer, (d) wherein each interlocking profile has dissimilar shore durometers in comparison with one another, and (e) whereby the male and female elements form a water-resistant seal when mutually occluded.

8. The reclosable elastomeric fastener of claim 7, wherein each interlocking profile has similar shore durometers in comparison with one another.

9. An elastomeric fastener for sealing storage and serving containers comprising: (a) a single profile having a serrated lateral groove; (b) wherein the single profile is formed from two elastomeric polymers and adjustably conforms to a circumferential rim of a lid and the peripheral edge of a container; and (c) whereby the serrated groove simultaneously grips the lid and container components of a storage receptacle to form an impervious seal.

10. The elastomeric fastener of claim 9, wherein the profile is formed from an elastomeric polymer selected from the group consisting of Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene, Ethylene Polypropylene Rubber, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, Isobutylene Isoprene Rubber, and Siloxane compounds.

11. The elastomeric fastener of claim 9, wherein the profile is formed from one elastomeric polymer.

12. The elastomeric fastener of claim 9, wherein the profile has an extending flange having an arrangement of knurl lines for grasping the reclosable fastener.

13. The elastomeric fastener of claim 9, wherein the profile includes a resinous coating containing a thermochromic pigment.

14. The elastomeric fastener of claim 9, wherein the profile is molded from an elastomeric polymer to form a continuous ring.

15. The elastomeric fastener of claim 9, wherein the profile is extruded to form a discontinuous strip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a reclosable elastomeric fastener according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective cut away view showing a reclosable elastomeric fastener according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the occluded profiles according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the alternate use of a reclosable elastomeric fastener according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective cut away view showing an elastomeric fastener according to a first alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an elastomeric fastener according to a second alternate embodiment of the present invention.

(7) Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) The present invention is a reclosable elastomeric fastener and method for sealing storage and serving containers. In a preferred embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the reclosable fastener 10 comprises two interlocking teardrop shaped profiles, 11a and 11b, having corresponding male and female elements 12 and 13, respectively. The male element 12 includes two horizontally oriented ribbed protrusions 14, which coincide with two interlocking lateral notches 15 inscribed within female element 13. The interlocking profiles are also designed to independently conform to the circumferential rim of lid 100, and to the periphery of container 200, the projections of which dovetail into lateral grooves 17a and 17b of interlocking profiles 11a and 11b. The lateral grooves terminate at a circular furrow 19, and include an arrangement of extending reciprocal serrations 16, which engage the rim and periphery of the lid 100 and container 200 components, respectively. The teardrop shaped profiles additionally feature an extended flange, having an arrangement of elevated knurl lines 18, to provide an increased surface area for grasping the reclosable fastener. The interlocking profiles 11a and 11b form a water resistant seal 35 when the corresponding male and female elements, 12 and 13, are mutually occluded.

(9) The reclosable fasteners, 11a and 11b, are formed from an elastomeric polymer that facilitates the adjustable expansion and contraction of the sealable profiles to fit the components of a storage receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric polymer may be selected from the group of Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CSPE), Ethylene Polypropylene Rubber (EPM), Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), Isobutylene Isoprene Rubber (IIR), Siloxane compounds, or other appropriate polymeric formulations. The reclosable fastener may be produced by way of casting, extruding, or injection molding the polymer to form the elastomeric profile.

(10) As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the interlocking profiles 11a and 11b are co-injection molded or coextruded from at least two polymeric resins having different viscoelastic properties. In a preferred embodiment, the circumferential flanges f are comprised of male and female elements, 12 and 13, which have dissimilar shore durometers to enhance the optimal occlusion of the interlocking profiles. The interlocking profiles 11a and 11b may also consist of a uniform contour of elastomeric resin (not shown) that may be joined to circumferential flanges having equivalent or dissimilar shore durometers without departing from the scope of the invention.

(11) In an alternate embodiment, and as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, an elastomeric fastener 20 or 30 may comprise a single profile 21 or 31, having a lateral groove 27 or 37, designed to mutually engage the lid and container components 100 and 101 of a storage receptacle. The lateral groove 27 or 37 terminates at a circular furrow 29 or 39, and includes a series of reciprocal serrations 26 or 36, which simultaneously grip the rim of lid 100, and periphery of container 200, to form an impervious seal. The profile 21 or 31 additionally features an extended flange, which may have an arrangement of elevated knurl lines 28 to provide an increased surface area for grasping the fastener. The elastomeric fastener 20 or 30 may be injection molded or extruded from a homogeneous elastomeric polymer that conforms to the circumferential periphery of an enclosed storage receptacle. The elastomeric polymer may be selected from the same group of polymers used to form the reclosable interlocking profiles of the present invention. In a further embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 6, the profile 31 of the elastomeric fastener 30 may also include a resinous coating 300 containing a thermochromic pigment to provide a visible indication as to the surface temperature of the storage receptacle.

(12) To attain a water-resistant seal, the reclosable fastener 10, 20, or 30 may be cast or injection molded from an elastomeric polymer to form a continuous ring (not shown). The circumferential profiles may be molded to accommodate square, rectangular and round storage receptacles. Alternatively, the elastomeric profiles may be extruded to form a discontinuous strip that may be applied around the rim and periphery of the lid 100 and container 200 components, respectively. It can be further appreciated that the elastomeric profiles are not limited with respect to shape, and that the interlocking fasteners may consist of equivalent or dissimilar geometric profiles to conform to the contour of the peripheral rim of a storage and serving container.

(13) According to the present invention, the method of sealing the lid and container components of a storage receptacle is simplified by way of first attaching the elastomeric profiles 11a and 11b of the reclosable fastener 10 to the circumferential rim of lid 100, and to the periphery of container 200. The method includes the initial step of inserting a portion of rim 100 into a segment of lateral groove 17a formed within elastomeric profile 11a, and then stretching the profile 11a to conform to the circumference of lid 100, while simultaneously inserting rim into the lateral groove 17a. In the same way, the extending periphery of container 200, is then initially inserted into the lateral groove 17b of elastomeric profile 11b, with the orientation of the elastomeric profile 11b corresponding to fit either the male or female elements, 12 or 13, of elastomeric profile 11a. The profile 11b is then stretched to conform to the perimeter of container 200, while simultaneously inserting peripheral edge 200 into lateral groove 17b. To ensure the optimal conformity between the lid 100 and container 200 components, the leading edges of rim and periphery should fully dovetail into the circular furrows 19 of elastomeric profiles 11a and 11b. After the elastomeric profiles 11a and 11b have been fully attached and adjusted to conform to the lid and container of a storage receptacle, the corresponding male and female elements 12 and 13, having interlocking components 14 and 15, may be mutually compressed to form a reclosable water-resistant seal 35.

(14) In a further embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 4-6, the method of sealing the lid and container of a storage receptacle may also be facilitated through the use of a single elastomeric profile 10, 20, or 30. This alternate method includes the initial step of positioning the lid and container components 100 and 200 in a corresponding enclosed relation, and then securing an elastomeric profile 11, 21, or 31, around the adjoining lid 100 and container 200 of the receptacle. As similarly exemplified in the foregoing method, an elastomeric profile envelopes the juncture j of the enclosed lid and container components, wherein a portion of the adjoining lid 100 and container 200 are first inserted into a segment of lateral groove 17, 27, or 37, formed within the elastomeric profile 11, 21 or 31. The elastomeric fastener 10, 20, or 30, is then stretched to conform to the circumference of the assembled lid 100 and container 200 components, while the remainder of the unsecured portions of the rim and periphery are simultaneously inserted to dovetail into the lateral groove 17, 27 or 37 of the elastomeric profile. The elastomeric profile 10, 20, or 30 is then adjusted to fully conform to the enclosed lid and container components 100 and 200 to form an impervious seal.

(15) Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the preferred embodiments, the above disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.