Patent ID: 11858693
Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  A | IPC A  B

Claim 13:
14. A flexible enclosure comprising:
a first panel of a web material;
a first zipper member having a first flange that is coupled with the first panel, the first zipper member having a first elongated body with a first facing side, a first opposite side, a first upper edge, and a first opposite lower edge, the first facing side including a first profile protrusion;
a second panel of the web material facing the first panel to at least partially define an interior volume; and
a second zipper member having a second flange that is coupled with the second panel, the second zipper member having a second elongated body with a second facing side, a second opposite side, a second upper edge, and a second opposite lower edge, the second facing side having a second profile protrusion shaped to mesh with the first profile protrusion of the first facing side of the first zipper member,
wherein the first zipper member includes a living hinge disposed between the first lower edge and the first profile protrusion, the living hinge formed by a slit extending inwardly from the first facing side toward the second opposite side, the slit having interior surfaces opposing each other across the slit, the interior surfaces moving relative to each other to open and close the slit as the living hinge is opened and closed, the interior surfaces contacting each other while the living hinge is closed, the interior surfaces spaced apart from each other while the living hinge is open,
wherein in response to the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members being meshed with each other, the living hinge is configured to be closed, and
wherein in response to an opening force being applied to pull the flanges apart when the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members are meshed with each other, the living hinge is configured to be open while the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members remain meshed with each other.