GB2256852A

GB2256852A - Temporary closure for a container

Info

Publication number: GB2256852A
Application number: GB9113124A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert John Booth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-06-18
Filing date: 1991-06-18
Publication date: 1992-12-23
Also published as: GB9113124D0

Abstract

The open end/s of a container are closed by temporarily securing a series of three or more interlocking tabs (11), arranged in rows, in such a way that they can be frequently opened and resealed without damage to the closure. The contents can, therefore, be removed from the container or prevented from coming out during transit, Posting or storage. The tabs (11) are identical in shape and in two rows positioned opposite to each other so that the centre of one tab is opposite the join between two opposite tabs. The closure is achieved by forcing each tab between the join of two opposite tabs until a neck (15) lies in a hole (16) between two opposite tabs. When the closure is fully activated each set of tabs are positioned on the opposite side of the container to their respective surfaces. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: TEMPORARY CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER This invention relates to the temporary closure and securing of the open end or ends of a container used for posting and storing items in contexts such as industrial, Post Office, education or domestic.

Existing sealed and unsealed provision extends to posting and storage of flat, printed matter; when used for transporting or storing items the container remains either unsealed by folding one part into a slot in another part or sealed by stapling along the open end or or by using gum. The effective life of both types of closure is limited.

In this application a container is device having a hollow body sealed on one, two or three sides and one or two open ends. The closure refers to a method of securing open ends to each other by way of their shape and in such a way that they can be undone without damage to the closure.

An object of the invention is to provide a method of temporarily sealing containers of various shapes and adding to the protection of the contents of the containers.

Another object is to provide a closure suitabie for use on containers which are either of laminated materials consisting wholly or partly plastics, or of thermoformed laminated or unlaminated plastics or other flexible materials including card and paper of various thicknesses.

According to the present invention there is provision for the container to be frequently opened and resealed, without rendering the seal inactive, in such a way that the contents can either be removed from the container or prevented from coming out during transit, posting or storage. There is also provided a type of closure for containers which gives increased protection to the contents from damage which may otherwise be sustained during transit, posting or storage.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows, in perspective, an exploded view of two rows of tabs in the unsealed position on a flat container; Figure 2 shows, in perspective, a scrap view of two rows of eight tabs where four (three full tabs and one half tab) are in the unsealed position (20) and four are in the sealed or interlocked position (19) on a flat container; Figure 3 shows a scrap sectional view of two sets of the tabs, (12) and (13), in the sealed or interlocked position.

A packaging container (10) is closed by temporarily securing, by means of a series of three or more interlocking tabs (11) in two sets arranged in rows (12) and (13), the open end or ends of the container. The tabs (11) are identical in shape to each other and in two rows positioned opposite to each other so that the centre of one tab is opposite the join (14) between two opposite tabs (Fig.2). The join between two tabs is formed by a separating cut which terminates in a hole (16) also between two adjacent tabs. One row, at each end of that row, ends with a one half tab or one and one half tab width (17) so the two opposing rows are of equal length.

The interlock (Fig. 2) is achieved by forcing each tab between the join of two opposite tabs until the neck of the tab (15) lies in the hole (16) between two opposite tabs (Fig.3) formed by the shape of the tabs. The hole (16) is shorter across its width than the tab (11) across its width. When the closure is fully activated each set of tabs (12 ) and (13) are positioned on the opposite side of the container to their respective surfaces (Fig.3).

The profile shape of each tab (11) needed for the closure to be effective is identical.

The surface of each tab (18) may be flat or corrugated or shaped to increase the security of the closure when in its closed state and in contact with opposite tabs.

The packaging container, and therefore the tabs, may be made of plastic foam, synthetic rubber or metal or paper or card or a flexible laminated material.

The size of the tabs forming the closure vary according to the thickness of material used; the length of the closure is determined only by the size of the container.

To unseal the closure the steps described above are carried out in the reverse sequence. The closure can remain in its open state for certain uses.

Claims

1. A method of temporarily closing the open sides and ends of a flat but hollow container (as hereinbefore defined) wherein: (i) The closure line is straight.

(ii) The closure line is circular in a flat plane.

(iii) The closure line is curved in a flat plane.

2. The temporary closure for a container as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the thickness of the material from which the container is made is more than one millimetre.

3. The temporary closure for a container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the joint is effected by interlocking alternating tabs on opposite sides of the opening to be closed by the joint.

4. The temporary closure for a container as claimed in Claim 2 and Claim 3, wherein the interlocking tabs remain in contact with each other causing slight compression of the material at the points of contact in order to provide a seal.

5. The temporary closure for a container as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the two side edges of the open end of a container are temporarily secured to each other by a method according to Claim 3 and Claim 4.

(6) A closure according to Claim 1, wherein the material is of flexible foam plastic.

(7) A closure according to Claim 1, wherein the material is of semi-rigid foam plastic.

(8) A closure according to Claim 1, wherein the material is of a synthetic rubber.

(9) A closure according to Claim 1, wherein the material is of a laminated construction comprising at least one layer of plastic foam material.

(10) A closure according to Claim 1, wherein the material is of card or paper.

(11) A closure according to any one of the Claims 1 to 5 wherein the join comprises a jointing tab on one side and a jointing tab on the opposite side which interlock.

(12) The temporary closure for a container substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawing.