CLOSURE SYSTEM FOR FLEXIBLE BAG

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a closure system for a flexible container. The closure system generally includes a flexible member and a substantially rigid member. The flexible and rigid members are each interconnected to opposing portions of an aperture of the container. When the closure system is in a closed state, the flexible member is in a position proximate to the rigid member. The flexible member may be pulled away from the rigid member to move the closure system to an open state. The closure system will remain in the open or closed state without contact from the user. The user may return the closure system to the closed state by applying a predetermined force to the flexible member.

Claims

1. A closure system for a flexible container, comprising: a flexible member interconnected to a first portion of the flexible container proximate to an aperture of the flexible container; and a substantially rigid member interconnected to a second portion of the flexible container proximate to the aperture, the second portion arranged in a substantially opposing alignment with the first portion, wherein, when the closure system is in a closed state, the flexible member is in a position proximate to the substantially rigid member and, when the closure system is in an open state, at least a medial portion of the flexible member is distal to the substantially rigid member.

2. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the closure system remains in the open state without contact from the user.

3. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the substantially rigid member comprises a first portion interconnected at a vertex to a second portion.

4. The closure system of claim 3, wherein an angle between the first and second portions of the substantially rigid member is between about 70 and about 110.

5. The closure system of claim 3, wherein the first and second portions of the substantially rigid member are pivotally interconnected such that an angle between the first and second portions may be adjusted to be between about 70 and about 110.

6. The closure system of claim 3, wherein: the first portion of the substantially rigid member is interconnected to a first portion of the flexible member; and the second portion of the substantially rigid member is interconnected to a second portion of the flexible member.

7. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the substantially rigid member comprises at least one of a metal, a wood, a plastic, and combinations thereof.

8. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the substantially rigid member comprises a laminate material comprising one or more layers of at least one of a metal, a wood, and a plastic.

9. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the flexible container further comprising at least two connection elements to releasably interconnect the flexible container to an object.

10. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the flexible member has a length that is greater than a distance between a first end and a second end of the substantially rigid member.

11. The closure system of claim 1, wherein: the flexible container has a width of between about 5 inches and about 9.5 inches; and the flexible container has a height of between about 4 inches and about 8.5 inches.

12. The closure system of claim 11, wherein, when the closure system is in an open state, the container aperture has a width of between about 2 inches and about 6.5 inches.

13. A container with an aperture configured to remain in an open configuration without contact from a user, comprising: a body portion with the aperture; a flexible member interconnected to a first portion of the body portion; an actuation member interconnected to the first portion of the body portion; a substantially rigid member interconnected to a second portion of the body portion; and at least two connection elements interconnected to the second portion of the body portion, wherein, when the flexible member is proximate to the substantially rigid member the aperture is in a closed configuration, and wherein, in the open configuration, at least a portion of the flexible member is separated from the rigid member.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein pulling on the actuation member transitions the aperture from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein a force must be applied to the first portion in a direction toward the second portion to transition the aperture from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

16. The container of claim 13, wherein the substantially rigid member comprises a first portion interconnected to a second portion.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein an angle between the first and second portions of the substantially rigid member is between about 70 and about 110.

18. The container of claim 16, wherein the first and second portions of the substantially rigid member are pivotally interconnected such that an angle between the first and second portions may be adjusted to be between about 70 and about 110.

19. The container of claim 13, wherein the at least two connection elements are adapted to interconnect the container to a portion of a bicycle.

20. A method of making a container with an aperture configured to remain in an open configuration without contact from a user, comprising: interconnecting a flexible member to a first portion of a flexible body of the container; interconnecting a substantially rigid member to a second portion of the flexible body, wherein the second portion is in an opposing relationship to the first portion; interconnecting at least two connection elements to the second portion of the flexible body, the at least two connection to releasably interconnect the container to a bicycle; interconnecting an actuation member to the first portion of the flexible body, wherein pulling on the actuation member transitions the aperture from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0037] Throughout this disclosure, similar components and/or features may have the same reference number. Components of the same type may be distinguished by a letter following the reference number. If only the reference number is used, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same reference number.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container system including an embodiment of the closure system of the present disclosure interconnected to a flexible bag and with the closure system in a closed state;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the container system of FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 3 is a top elevation view of the container system of FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container system of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 with the flexible bag removed to show the closure system in the closed state;

[0042] FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of the container system of FIG. 1 with the closure system positioning the closure aperture in an open state;

[0043] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container system similar to FIG. 4 with the flexible bag removed to show the closure system in the open state;

[0044] FIGS. 7-8 are top elevation views of a closure system of another embodiment of the present disclosure in which an angle between a first and second portion of the substantially rigid member is not orthogonal and illustrating the closure system in each of a closed state and in an open state, respectively;

[0045] FIGS. 9-26 are photographs a flexible bag including a closure system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 27 is a photograph of a container system interconnected to handlebars of a bicycle, the container system including a closure system according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating the closure system in a closed state;

[0047] FIG. 28 is a photograph of the container system and closure system of FIG. 27 with the closure system in an open state; and

[0048] FIG. 29 is a top elevation view of two container systems of an embodiment of the present disclosure interconnected to a bicycle.

[0049] It should be understood that the drawings, photographs, and diagrams are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

[0050] To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:

TABLE-US-00001 Number Component 2 Container system 4 Flexible container 5 Container portions 6 Container aperture 8 Hem 10 Connection elements 12 First portion of connection element 14 Second portion of connection element 16 Actuation member 20 Closure system 22 Flexible member 24 First portion of flexible member 26 Second portion of flexible member 28 Third portion of flexible member 30 Substantially rigid member 32 First portion of rigid member 34 First end of rigid member 36 Second portion of rigid member 38 Second end of rigid member 40 Vertex 42 Closed state 44 Open state 120 Closure system 122 Flexible member 130 Substantially rigid member 132 First portion of rigid member 136 Second portion of rigid member 140 Vertex 202 Container system 204 Flexible container 205 Container portions 206 Container aperture 210 Connection elements 216 Actuation member 220 Closure system 222 Flexible member 230 Substantially rigid member 234 First end of rigid member 238 Second end of rigid member 302 Container System 304 Flexible container 310 Connection elements 320 Closure system 342 Closed state 344 Open state 350 Bicycle 402A First container system 402B Second container system 404 Flexible container 410A Connection elements of first container system 410B Connection elements of second container system 420 Closure system 442 Closed state 444 Open state 450 Bicycle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of including, comprising, or having and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, a container system 2 including a flexible container 4 and a closure system 20 of an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The container system 2 generally includes the flexible container 4 with an aperture 6, connection elements 10, and an actuation member 16. A hem 8 may be formed proximate to the aperture 6. The actuation member 16 may comprise a tab or a handle sized to be grasped and pulled. In one embodiment, the actuation member 16 is interconnected to the flexible container 4 proximate to a medial portion of the closure system 20. Accordingly, when the container system 2 is interconnected to an object using connection element 10, the container aperture 6 may be opened with one hand by pulling the actuation member 16 outwardly.

[0053] The connection elements 10 are adapted to interconnect the container system 2 to an object. The elements 10 may comprise a first portion 12 selectively secured to a second portion 14. The first and second portions 12, 14 may comprise a hook and loop material. Alternatively, the first and second portions 12, 14 may comprise snaps or cords that may be tied together. In one embodiment, the connection elements 10 comprise loops. In one embodiment, the connection elements 10 are adapted to interconnect the container system 2 to the handlebars of a bicycle. However, it will be appreciated that the container system 2 may be adapted to be interconnected to any desired object.

[0054] The flexible container 4 may be of any size, shape, and color. In one embodiment, the flexible container is made of one or more materials including fabric, leather, plastic, and paper. In one embodiment, the flexible container 4 is a bag. In one embodiment, the container comprises a first portion 5A interconnected to a second portion 5B. Optionally, the portions 5A, 5B are interconnected along three of their four adjoining edges with the unconnected edge forming the container aperture 6. The portions 5A, 5B may be interconnected by any method known to one of skill in the art including, but not limited to, sewing, welding, riveting, stapling, and gluing. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the container 4 comprises one piece of material folded such that portions 5A, 5B are in an opposing alignment. Two of the three adjoining edges are subsequently interconnected leaving third adjoining edges unconnected to form the container aperture 6.

[0055] The closure system 20 is interconnected to the container 4 proximate to the aperture 6. In one embodiment, the closure system 20 is positioned within the hem 8. However, other locations of the closure system 20 are contemplated.

[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6, the closure system 20 generally comprises a flexible member 22 and a substantially rigid member 30. When the closure system 20 is in the closed state 42, illustrated in FIG. 4, the flexible member 22 is positioned proximate to the rigid member 30. It follows that when the closure system 20 is in the open state 44, illustrated in FIG. 6, the flexible member 22 is positioned generally distal from the rigid member 30.

[0057] The substantially rigid member 30 may be of any suitable size and cross-section. The rigid member 30 has a compound shape. In one embodiment, the rigid member comprises a first portion 32 interconnected at a vertex 40 to a second portion 36. The first and second portions 32, 36 are generally linear.

[0058] The angle between the first and second portions 32, 36 may be adjusted based on the object to which the container system 2 will be interconnected. In one embodiment, the angle between the first and second portions 32, 36 is between about 5 to about 175. In another embodiment, the angle between the first and second portions 32, 36 is between about 70 and about 110. Optionally, in one preferred embodiment, the angle is between about 85 and about 95. In a more preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, the angle is about 90.

[0059] The first and second portions 32, 36 may be integrally formed in one piece or separately formed. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the first and second portions 32, 36 are adjustably interconnected so that the angle between the first and second portions 32, 36 may be adjusted by a user. For example, the first and second portions 32, 36 may be interconnected by a threaded fastener such as, but not limited to, a bolt or a screw. Accordingly, the user may loosen the threaded fastener to adjust the angle between the first and second portions 32, 36.

[0060] The rigid member 30 may be made of any suitable material. In one embodiment, the substantially rigid member comprises one or more of metal, wood, plastic, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the substantially rigid member is made of a laminate material comprising one or more layers of at least one of metal, wood, and plastic. The layers may be of different widths and thicknesses. In one embodiment, the cross-section of the substantially rigid member 30 provides some, or all, of the rigidity. In another embodiment, the material of the substantially rigid member 30 provides some, or all, of the rigidity.

[0061] The flexible member 22 has a length greater than a linear distance between the ends 34, 38 of the substantially rigid member 30. In this manner, the flexible member 22 is adapted to bend when the closure system 20 is in the closed state 42 such that the flexible member 22 is generally proximate to the rigid member 30, as illustrated in FIG. 4. When the closure system 20 is in the open state 44, the flexible member 22 bends away from the rigid member 30 into a bowed or arcuate shape, illustrated in FIG. 6. Accordingly, referring now to FIG. 5, the aperture 6 of the container 4 has a generally arcuate or bowed shape when the closure system 20 is in the open state 44.

[0062] The flexible member 22 may be made of any suitable resilient material or combination of resilient materials. In one embodiment, the flexible member 22 is made from a plastic material, but other materials with suitable resilient properties may be used. For example, the flexible member 22 may be made of a plastic, a metal, a wood, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the flexible member 22 comprises a material that has shape memory. Accordingly, the flexible member 22 will return to a first configuration when a force applied to the closure system 20 is removed. In still another embodiment, the flexible member 22 includes Nitinol. In one embodiment, the flexible member 22 comprises a laminate material with a plurality of layers that may include at least one of a plastic, a metal, and a wood. The layers may be of different sizes and thicknesses and have different bending stiffnesses. As will be apparent to one of skill in the art, the selection of materials to form the layers composing flexible member 22 may be selected to impart more rigidity or more flexibility to the flexible member 22, thereby making the closure system 20 more difficult (or easier) to open and close, respectively.

[0063] Optionally, the flexible member 22 may comprise one or more portions. Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 6, the flexible member 22 may comprise a first portion 24 proximate to the first end 34 of the rigid member 30, a medial second portion 26, and a third portion 28 proximate to the second end 38 of the rigid member 30. In one embodiment, the first and third portions 24, 28 of the flexible member 22 are interconnected to corresponding first and second portions 32, 36 of the substantially rigid member 30.

[0064] The first, second, and third portions 24, 26, 28 may be made of the same or different materials. Similarly, the portions 24, 26, 28 may be made of different numbers of layers of materials, the layers may be arranged differently, and/or the layers may be of different dimensions.

[0065] Further, the bending stiffness and/or the elastic modulus of the first and third portions 24, 28 may be the same or similar. Optionally, the bending stiffness and/or the elastic modulus of the second portion 26 is different than at least one of the first and third portions 24, 28.

[0066] The flexible member 22 may have any suitable cross-sectional shape. As can be appreciated by a skilled person in the art, the flexible member 22 may have a substantially planar cross-section. However, other shapes that are not planar are contemplated. For example, in one embodiment the flexible member may have a generally circular cross-section. Similarly, the cross-sectional shape may vary along a length of the flexible member. Thus, the cross-sectional shape may change to alter the bending stiffness and/or the elastic modulus of selected portions of the flexible member 22. Accordingly, a cross-sectional shape of the flexible member 22 proximate to the first and third portions 24, 28 may optionally be different than the cross-sectional shape of the flexible member 22 proximate to the second portion 26.

[0067] Additionally, the dimensions of the flexible member 22 may vary along the length of the flexible member to adjust the bending stiffness and/or the elastic modulus. Accordingly, the flexible member 22 may have a first size proximate to the first and third portions 24, 28 and a different second size proximate to the second portion 26.

[0068] The closure system 20 remains in the closed state 42 until an opening force is applied to the flexible member 22. More specifically, when the closure system 20 is in the closed state 42 as illustrated in FIG. 3, an opening force may be applied to the flexible member 22 to pull the flexible member 22 away from the substantially rigid member 30 to transition the closure system 20 to the open state 44 illustrated in FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the opening force may be applied by pulling the actuation member 16 away from the substantially rigid member 30.

[0069] Similarly, the closure system 20 remains in the open state 44 until a closing force is applied to the flexible member 22. The closing force is applied in a direction toward the substantially rigid member 30. In one embodiment, the closing force may be applied to the flexible member 22 proximate to, but not necessarily on, the actuation member 16.

[0070] Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, a closure system 120 of another embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The closure system 120 generally includes a flexible member 122 and a substantially rigid member 130 that are the same as, or similar to, members 22, 30 described above. However, the first and second portions 132, 136 of the rigid member 130 are not orthogonal. In one embodiment, the first and second portions 132, 136 form an angle of between about 61 and about 89 with respect to a vertex 140. More preferably, the angle between the first and second portions 132, 136 is between about 70 and about 80.

[0071] Referring now to FIGS. 9-26, a variety of photographs illustrate features of a container system 202 with a flexible container 204 and a closure system 220 of another embodiment of the present disclosure. The container system 202 and closure system 220 may be the same as, or similar to container systems 2, 102, and closure systems 20, 120 described above. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the container system 202 may optionally include connection elements 210 and an actuation member 216 the same as, or similar to, the connection elements 10 and actuation member 16 of container system 2.

[0072] As previously described, the container 204 may have any desired shape and dimension. Referring now to FIGS. 21-22, in one embodiment, the container 204 has a width of about 7.25 inches. Referring now to FIG. 23, in one embodiment, the container 204 has a height of about 6.25 inches. Referring now to FIG. 24, a distance between the ends 234, 238 of the substantially rigid member 230 is about 6 inches. When the closure system 220 is in an open state, illustrated in FIGS. 25-26, the container aperture 206 has a width of about 4.25 inches from the vertex of the rigid member 230 to a portion of the flexible member 222.

[0073] Referring now to FIGS. 27-28, photographs of still another embodiment of a container system 302 including a flexible container 304 and closure system 320 of the present disclosure are provided. The container system 302 is illustrated releasably interconnected to the handlebars of a bicycle 350 using connection elements 310 of the container system 302. The container system 302 and closure system 320 may be the same as, or similar to, containers 2, 102, 202 and systems 20, 120, 220 described above. It will be appreciated that the container system 302 may be interconnected to other objects or to different portions of the bicycle 350.

[0074] Referring now to FIG. 29, container systems 402A, 402B of still another embodiment of the present disclosure are illustrated releasably interconnected to the handlebars of a bicycle 450. The containers systems 402A, 402B each include a flexible container 404 and a closure system 420. Each container system 402A, 402B also includes connection members 410 to selectively interconnect the container systems to the bicycle. The connection members 410A of container system 402A are positioned in a staggered arrangement with respect to the connection members 410B of container system 402B. In this manner, the connection members 410A do not interfere with the connection members 410B. Other arrangements of the connection members 410A, 410B are contemplated.

[0075] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Further, the present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.